Home-Based luggage wholesaler for small shops

Independent gift, travel and department shops, online sellers, school and uniform suppliers, and corporate gift buyers.

You buy at a trade price and sell at a wholesale price per unit or case. Your margin is the gap, minus shipping, duties and storage.

• Selling to business buyers
• Spotting quality and good value in products
• Organising stock and orders
• Negotiating with suppliers

• If you import, check with the Canada Border Services Agency about an import account, duties and tariffs
• Supplier minimum order sizes can tie up cash, so start with small trial orders
• Check product labelling rules, including French-language requirements if you sell in Quebec
• Avoid counterfeit or look-alike branded goods, which can lead to seizure and legal trouble
• Check how your province treats sales tax on goods bought for resale
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance are worth checking
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and whether you can store stock at home

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of your first orders, supplier minimums and how you store stock. Starting with small trial orders can help avoid tying up too much cash.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many shops and online sellers you supply, order sizes and the products you stock. The estimate assumes at least about 12 hours a week. Revenue is before costs and tax.

Check with the Canada Border Services Agency about an import account, duties and tariffs if you import. Also check product labelling rules, including French-language requirements in Quebec, how your province treats sales tax on goods for resale, insurance, and home-based business licensing and stock storage.