Niche footwear wholesaler with your own stock

Independent shoe stores, boutiques, farm and work-wear shops, and small online retailers across Canada.

You buy at factory or distributor prices and sell at a wholesale price. Your margin is the difference, minus shipping, duties and returns. Repeat orders from the same shops each season matter most.

• Selling to shop owners
• Spotting footwear trends and sizing needs
• Stock and cash flow management
• Negotiating with suppliers

• Import duties, customs brokerage and GST/HST on imported goods, check with the Canada Border Services Agency or a customs broker
• Money tied up in stock, especially sizes that don't sell and seasonal items like winter boots
• Whether your municipality allows storing business stock at home, or if you need a storage unit
• Commercial general liability and stock insurance
• Counterfeit or unauthorized branded goods and trademark rules
• Product labelling rules, including French-language requirements if you sell in Quebec, check with the relevant authorities
• Late payments from shops, so decide your payment terms and credit limits in advance

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the range you buy and how much stock you hold. Money tied up in stock matters, especially sizes that don't sell and seasonal items like winter boots.

Monthly revenue estimates typically run around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your niche, range and number of shop customers. Decide payment terms and credit limits in advance, as late payments from shops can affect cash flow.

Check import duties, customs brokerage and GST/HST on imported goods with the Canada Border Services Agency or a customs broker. Also check product labelling rules, including French-language requirements in Quebec, trademark rules on branded goods, and insurance for stock.