Seasonal christmas pop-up shop

Holiday shoppers, families, tourists and last-minute gift buyers in busy shopping areas.

You sell stock at a markup in person. Short leases or stall fees keep fixed costs down, but nearly all your income arrives in a few weeks.

• Buying and pricing stock
• Display and merchandising
• Selling face to face

• Lease terms, deposits and fees for temporary spaces, which vary a lot, so read the contract carefully
• Municipal business licence or vendor permit requirements, so check with your municipality
• Unsold stock after December 25, so plan clearance sales or storage
• Commercial general liability insurance, which landlords and market organizers often ask for
• GST/HST registration and collecting provincial sales tax where it applies

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the space, fees and stock. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on location and how busy the shopping area is.

Read lease terms, deposits and fees carefully, as they vary a lot. Check municipal business licence or vendor permit requirements, GST/HST registration and provincial sales tax rules, and commercial general liability insurance, which landlords and market organizers often ask for.

Unsold stock after December 25 is a risk, so plan clearance sales or storage before you buy. Some sellers close the shop or move online afterwards. Estimates suggest at least about 30 hours a week.