Home-Based leather goods wholesaler

Independent boutiques, gift shops, western wear stores, tourist shops and online sellers who want to stock leather goods without dealing with makers directly.

You buy at a wholesale price and sell at a higher trade price, usually with a minimum order. Repeat orders from shops that reorder each season matter most.

• Spotting good leather and quality stitching
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Selling to shop owners
• Basic bookkeeping and stock tracking

• Import duties, CBSA rules and shipping costs if you buy from abroad, and whether any product has restricted materials (check exotic leathers)
• Whether you need GST/HST registration and how resale sales are treated in your province
• Whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or allows stock storage at home
• Honest descriptions: do not call bonded or faux leather genuine leather (check Competition Bureau guidance)
• Late-paying shops: consider deposits or payment on first orders
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy and where you source it. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many shops you supply.

Check import duties, CBSA rules and shipping costs if you buy abroad, plus any restricted materials such as exotic leathers. Also check GST/HST registration, whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and honest product descriptions under Competition Bureau guidance.

Estimates suggest at least 10 hours a week, with modest stock kept at home. Check whether your municipality allows stock storage at home. Late-paying shops are a risk, so consider deposits or payment on first orders.