Lingerie boutique with fitting service

Women and gift buyers looking for well-fitting everyday pieces, special-occasion lingerie, maternity or post-surgery wear and nightwear.

You buy stock wholesale and sell at a markup. Fittings build loyalty and repeat visits, and add-ons like care products and gift sets raise the average sale.

• Eye for fit and sizing
• Tactful, welcoming customer service
• Stock buying and inventory control

• Commercial lease terms, deposits and fit-out costs, which can be the biggest expense
• Business registration, municipal business licence and GST/HST registration, check with your province and municipality
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• Unsold stock and sizing returns, order small first runs
• Quebec shops must meet French-language signage and labelling rules, check requirements if you open there
• Seasonal swings around Valentine's Day, holidays and slower winter months

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on your lease, deposits, fit-out and opening stock. Commercial lease terms and fit-out can be the biggest expense, so treat these figures as estimates.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, range and how many fittings turn into sales. Seasonal swings around Valentine's Day, holidays and slower winter months may also matter.

Check business registration, your municipal business licence and GST/HST registration with your province and municipality. Also check commercial general liability and contents insurance, and French-language signage and labelling rules if you plan to open in Quebec.