Neighbourhood chocolate shop

Gift buyers, locals treating themselves, tourists, and businesses buying corporate gifts.

You buy chocolate wholesale and sell it at a retail mark-up. Custom gift boxes, seasonal packs and corporate orders raise the average sale.

• Customer service and gift advice
• Stock buying and cash flow planning
• Merchandising and attractive displays

• Food premises permit or inspection from your local public health unit, requirements differ by province and municipality
• Commercial general liability insurance and allergen labelling and handling
• Chocolate melts, so check storage and temperature control through summer
• Sales are heavily seasonal, so plan cash flow for slow months and peak holidays
• Bilingual or French-language signage and labelling rules if you are in Quebec

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and opening stock. Seasonal lines for Valentine's Day, Easter and the holidays also affect how much stock you buy.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, range and season. Sales are heavily seasonal, so plan cash flow for slow months and peak holidays.

Check food premises permit or inspection requirements with your local public health unit, as they differ by province and municipality. Also check allergen labelling and handling, commercial general liability insurance, and bilingual signage and labelling rules if you are in Quebec.