Neighbourhood convenience store

Nearby residents, commuters, students and workers who want quick, close-to-home shopping.

Mark-up on each item sold. Margins per item are thin, so steady daily traffic, long opening hours and higher-margin lines like drinks, snacks and prepared items matter.

• Ordering stock and managing suppliers
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping and cash handling
• Managing staff rotas

• Zoning and a municipal business licence for your location, check with your municipality
• Rules for selling tobacco, vape products, alcohol and lottery tickets differ by province, check your provincial regulators before planning to stock them
• A food premises permit may be needed if you sell prepared or hot food, check your local public health unit
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus theft and late-night safety planning
• Long lease commitments and long hours; read lease terms carefully
• WCB/WSIB coverage and employment rules once you hire, which vary by province
• In Quebec, French-language signage and commercial rules apply, check with the provincial authorities

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $200,000 to $600,000, depending on the premises, fit-out, equipment and opening stock. Lease terms and the range of products you carry can move the total within that range.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on location, opening hours, the product range and how much foot traffic you get. Plan for long hours, as the hours-per-week estimate starts at about 50.

Check zoning and your municipal business licence. Rules for tobacco, vape products, alcohol and lottery tickets differ by province. Check whether a food premises permit is needed for prepared food, WCB/WSIB rules when you hire, and French-language rules in Quebec.