Hospitality supplies shop and showroom
Run a local trade shop with stock on hand for hotels, restaurants and rental hosts who need items fast.
- 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 shop or unit with a showroom counter and storage, stocking linens, towels, toiletries, glassware, kitchen basics and small equipment. Customers can see and feel products and pick up urgent orders, and you also offer local delivery.
Your first three steps
- Visit hotels and restaurants in your area to learn what they struggle to get quickly, and note which items they re-order most
- Price out a small unit in an industrial or commercial area, plus shelving and a starter stock list, and get supplier quotes
- Sign up a few local businesses for account pricing before you open, to make sure there is steady demand
Who pays
Local hotels and motels, restaurants and cafés, caterers, short-term rental managers and event venues.
How it makes money
Markup on products sold over the counter and by delivery, plus regular account customers who order monthly. Custom items such as branded towels or menus can add margin.
Skills that help
- Selling to businesses
- Stock control and buying
- Customer service
- Managing cash flow
Watch out for
- Check zoning and any business licence requirements with your municipality before signing a lease
- Check Health Canada rules and bilingual labelling requirements for toiletries and similar products
- Register for GST/HST and check provincial sales tax rules
- Commercial general liability and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules differ by province)
- Slow seasons, such as winter in tourist areas, and large upfront stock costs
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: hospitality supplies shop and 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 open a hospitality supplies shop in Canada?
Estimates are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, the showroom and storage fit-out, and how much stock you buy upfront. Large upfront stock costs are one of the main things to plan for.
How much revenue can a hospitality supplies shop make?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your customer base, product range and location. Slow seasons, such as winter in tourist areas, can affect sales through the year.
What rules should I check before opening a trade supplies shop?
Check zoning and any business licence requirements with your municipality before signing a lease. Also check Health Canada rules and bilingual labelling for toiletries, GST/HST and provincial sales tax, and insurance and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire.
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