Glassware wholesale with a small stock unit

Restaurants, bars, hotels, caterers, event companies, homewares and gift shops, and smaller resellers.

Margin between your bulk buying price and your wholesale price. Having stock on hand and delivering quickly lets you win repeat orders and standing accounts.

• Selling to businesses
• Stock control and ordering
• Careful handling of fragile goods
• Managing cash flow and supplier terms

• Commercial general liability and property insurance covering stock, plus insurance for any delivery vehicle
• If importing, check duties, GST on imports, CBSA rules and Health Canada requirements for glassware with a customs broker
• Cash tied up in stock and slow-paying customers, so set clear payment terms
• Breakage and returns, and safe lifting and storage of heavy cases
• WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire help, with rules that vary by province
• Check provincial sales tax resale rules and Quebec French-language labelling rules if relevant

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on your unit, stock levels and any delivery vehicle. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your customers and range.

Check commercial general liability and property insurance covering stock, plus vehicle insurance. If importing, check duties, GST on imports, CBSA rules and Health Canada requirements with a customs broker. Also check WCB/WSIB, provincial sales tax resale rules and Quebec labelling rules.

Estimates suggest at least about 30 hours a week. Useful skills include selling to businesses, stock control and ordering, careful handling of fragile goods, and managing cash flow and supplier terms.