Garden furniture showroom
Open a small shop selling patio sets, loungers, umbrellas and fire pits to local homeowners.
- C$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small retail space showing outdoor furniture such as dining sets, loungers, umbrellas, cushions and fire pits. You choose the ranges, display them and help customers pick pieces that suit their space. Many owners add winter lines like fire pits and outdoor heaters to even out the seasons.
Your first three steps
- Visit local garden centres and furniture stores to see what sells, at what price, and what gaps exist in your area
- Contact a few Canadian wholesalers and distributors to compare minimum orders, terms and delivery times, and price out leases in your target area
- Draft a 12-month cash plan that covers the slow winter months before you sign a lease or place a big stock order
Who pays
Homeowners, condo owners with balconies, cottage owners and small cafés or patios needing a few sets.
How it makes money
You buy from wholesalers or manufacturers and sell at a markup. Extra income can come from delivery and assembly fees, cushion and cover add-ons, and end-of-season clearance sales.
Skills that help
- Customer service and helping people choose
- Stock buying and cash flow planning
- Merchandising and display
- Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Strong seasonality: most sales fall in spring and summer, so check you can cover rent through winter
- Check your municipality for a business licence and zoning rules for retail premises
- Register for GST/HST, and check whether your province also charges PST or QST
- Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus cover for stock and any delivery vehicle
- Fire pits and propane or gas heaters may need certification marks and must meet Health Canada rules, so check with your supplier and regulator
- In Quebec, check French-language rules for signage, labels and your website
- Storing large stock takes space, so check warehouse or storage costs
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: garden furniture showroom
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a garden furniture showroom in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, how much stock you buy and how you fit out the display space. Get supplier and rent quotes before committing.
How much revenue can a garden furniture showroom make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, range and time of year. Sales are strongly seasonal, mostly spring and summer, so check you can cover rent through winter.
What should I check before opening a garden furniture showroom?
Check your municipality's business licence and retail zoning rules, GST/HST registration and any PST or QST, and insurance for premises, stock and vehicles. Also check certification and Health Canada rules for fire pits and heaters, and French-language rules in Quebec.
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