Online specialty candy shop

Shoppers looking for sweets they can't find locally, gift buyers, and people ordering for parties, weddings or corporate gifts.

Margin between wholesale and retail prices, plus shipping fees and higher-priced curated boxes and subscriptions.

• Setting up and running an online store
• Organised stock and order handling
• Basic photography and marketing

• If you import candy yourself, check Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) licensing and labelling requirements first
• Bilingual labelling and allergen information on products you repackage or bundle
• Whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and whether you can store food at home under local rules
• Chocolate melts in summer heat, so plan packaging and shipping times
• Product liability and commercial general liability insurance
• Registering for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your packaging and how you build your store. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $500 to $5,000, depending on your range and marketing.

Check before you launch. If you import candy yourself, look at Canadian Food Inspection Agency licensing and labelling requirements. Also check bilingual labelling and allergen information, and whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or allows food storage at home.

The estimate is at least about 8 hours a week for stock handling, packing and shipping. Useful skills include running an online store, organised order handling and basic photography. Plan packaging and shipping times carefully, since chocolate melts in summer heat.