Online specialty candy wholesaler

Independent gift shops, specialty grocers, cafés, bookshops, toy stores and event or gift-box businesses.

You sell cases or mixed packs at wholesale prices with a minimum order. Repeat orders and seasonal peaks such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter drive most sales.

• Finding and vetting suppliers
• Online ordering and basic website setup
• Packing and shipping
• Marketing to shops

• Check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency whether you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence, particularly if you import or ship between provinces
• Imported products need correct bilingual labels, and Quebec has its own language rules, so verify them before selling
• Check whether your municipality allows storing and shipping food products from a home, and whether your province requires registration
• Commercial general liability insurance with product cover, and check how your home insurance treats stock at home
• Shipping costs, customs duties and currency swings can erode your margins
• Best-before dates and heat damage in transit, especially in summer

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website setup and whether you use a home stock room or a shared unit. Treat this as an estimate, not a quote.

Check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency whether you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence, especially if you import or ship between provinces. Also verify bilingual labelling, Quebec language rules, and whether your municipality and province allow home food storage.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your niche, how many shops you supply and your order sizes. Shipping costs, customs duties and currency swings can reduce your margins, so check them when pricing.