Online dress shop: start selling occasion wear in Canada

Women across Canada who want occasion wear without travelling to a mall, especially in smaller towns with limited choice.

You buy stock wholesale or in small batches and sell at a markup, with shipping and returns built into your pricing.

• Online selling and social media
• Product photography and descriptions
• Stock and order management

• Returns on dresses can be costly, so set clear policies and check sizing information carefully
• GST/HST and provincial sales tax on sales to customers in different provinces, so check with the CRA and your province
• Product listings and labelling in both English and French if you sell to Quebec customers
• Tying up money in stock that does not sell, so start small
• Business insurance and payment processing fees

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $12,000, depending on how much stock you buy, how you set up your website and how much you spend on photography. Starting with a small, focused range limits the money tied up in dresses that may not sell.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $5,000, depending on your range, marketing and order volume. That is revenue, before stock, shipping, returns and fees. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week.

Check GST/HST and provincial sales tax on sales to other provinces with the CRA and your province. Also check English and French labelling if you sell to Quebec customers, your returns policy, business insurance and payment processing fees.