Start an Electronics Vending Route Across Many Sites

Travellers, students, shoppers and visitors buying accessories on impulse. Venues take a share of sales.

Sales across several machines, minus stock, card fees and venue shares. Remote monitoring helps you restock only what is selling and cut wasted trips.

• Negotiating venue contracts
• Route planning and logistics
• Inventory and cash-flow management
• Managing a helper or contractor

• Cash tied up in machines and stock; check financing options and avoid expanding before pilots pay back
• Larger venues (airports, hospitals, transit) may use tenders or exclusive vending contracts; check how placements are awarded
• Commercial general liability and equipment insurance, plus a commercial vehicle policy if you use a van
• WCB/WSIB registration and payroll rules if you hire; check your province
• Product safety marks on chargers and power banks, and how to handle returns or faulty items
• Sales tax registration and collection (GST/HST, PST or QST depending on province)
• Check municipal licensing and French-language rules in Quebec
• Theft, vandalism and machine downtime can quickly cut sales at a site

Estimates suggest startup typically costs around $45,000 to $120,000, depending on the number of machines, your stock and whether you need a vehicle. Cash can be tied up in machines and stock, so check financing options and avoid expanding before pilots pay back.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on the number of machines, site quality and how often you restock. Venues take a share of sales, and theft, vandalism or machine downtime can cut sales at a site.

Check how larger venues such as airports, hospitals and transit hubs award placements, as some use tenders or exclusive contracts. Also check insurance, sales tax registration, WCB/WSIB if you hire, product safety marks on chargers, and municipal licensing and French-language rules in Quebec.