Japanese sweets and snacks corner shop

Students, anime and Japan fans, families with kids, tourists and locals looking for something different.

Retail margin on each item, plus higher-value gift boxes, seasonal sets (such as Halloween and Lunar New Year) and themed snack bundles.

• Sourcing and ordering stock
• Friendly customer service
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Check with your local public health unit about permits for selling prepackaged food
• Imported food rules: check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) about labelling (English and French) and whether you need an import licence
• Best-before dates and ingredient or allergen labelling on imported products
• Municipal business licence and zoning for the unit, plus commercial general liability insurance
• Slow winter weeks and the risk of stock expiring before it sells

Startup costs are typically estimated around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on the size and location of the unit, the fit-out and how much stock you buy. Expect slow winter weeks, and stock can expire before it sells.

Check with your local public health unit about permits for selling prepackaged food, and with the CFIA about English and French labelling and whether you need an import licence. Also check best-before dates and allergen labelling.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on location, foot traffic and product range. A shop usually needs about 35 or more hours a week, and slow winter periods can affect income.