Online irish goods shop

Canadians with Irish heritage, expats missing home comforts, and gift buyers, especially around St. Patrick's Day and Christmas.

You buy wholesale from Irish suppliers and sell at retail prices, adding shipping fees or free shipping above a set order value.

• Basic website and product photos
• Organizing stock and orders
• Finding and dealing with suppliers
• Customer service

• Imported food needs checking against Canadian Food Inspection Agency rules for labelling and import, including bilingual labels
• Customs duties, import taxes and currency swings can squeeze margins, so check costs before pricing
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules for online sales
• Seasonal sales peak around March and December, so plan cash flow and stock levels
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website setup and your supplier terms. Check customs duties and currency swings before pricing, as they can squeeze margins.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on your product range, marketing and timing. Sales tend to peak around St. Patrick's Day and Christmas, so plan your cash flow and stock levels for those seasons.

Check Canadian Food Inspection Agency rules for labelling and import of food, including bilingual labels. Also check customs duties and import taxes, GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, provincial sales tax on online sales, and any home-based business licence.