Online linen and towel store

Households furnishing a new home, couples on wedding registries, people refreshing their bedrooms and bathrooms, and gift buyers.

You buy wholesale and sell at retail, keeping the margin after shipping, payment fees and returns. Bundles such as a sheet set with matching towels raise the average order.

• Choosing quality products and spotting good suppliers
• Basic online shop setup and photography
• Packing, shipping and customer service

• GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules that vary by province, so check with the CRA
• Textile labelling rules in Canada, including fibre content and bilingual labels, so check the requirements before importing
• Import duties and shipping times if you buy from overseas suppliers
• Returns, colour mismatch complaints and cash tied up in stock
• Home-based business licence rules in your municipality, if you store stock at home

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your stock, shop setup and photography. Cash can get tied up in stock, so these estimates are a guide only.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on your product range and how well you market it. The low end assumes about 8 hours a week. Returns and colour complaints can affect results. These are estimates.

Check GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules with the CRA. Check textile labelling rules, including fibre content and bilingual labels, plus import duties and any home-based licence rules.