Kilt shop with hire and sales

Wedding parties, pipe bands, Highland dance families, Scottish heritage groups, event guests, and visitors looking for gifts or accessories.

Outfit hire fees and deposits, retail sales of kilts and accessories, and made-to-order commissions. Group wedding bookings and repeat band orders add steadier income.

• Retail and customer service
• Measuring and fitting garments
• Stock buying and inventory control
• Local marketing

• Check your municipal business licence and zoning requirements for a retail premises
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, plus WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire staff (rules vary by province)
• Collecting GST/HST or provincial sales tax, check which applies in your province
• A large stock investment, as tartans and sizes tie up cash before you know what sells
• Seasonal demand and the cost of rent through slow winter months
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for signage and customer materials

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on your premises, fit-out and how much stock you buy. Stock is a large part, since tartans and sizes tie up cash before you know what sells.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your location, stock and how many hires and sales you make. Demand is seasonal and rent continues through slow winter months, so plan for that.

Check your municipal business licence and zoning requirements for retail premises, commercial general liability and contents insurance, WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire, and whether GST/HST or provincial sales tax applies. In Quebec, check French-language rules for signage and customer materials.