Martial arts gear at clubs and tournaments

Students, parents and instructors who want to try on kit in person and buy on the spot.

Retail margin on gear sold at events and clubs, plus club-wide orders for uniforms, belts and patches.

• Friendly, helpful selling
• Knowing sizing and fit
• Stock tracking and cash handling

• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether event venues require proof of cover
• Check whether your municipality requires a vendor or business licence to sell at events
• Sales tax rules differ by province, and you may need to register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Unsold stock in the wrong sizes can tie up cash, so start small
• Winter weather and travel between events can affect sales, and tournament seasons vary

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,500 to $12,000 CAD, depending on how much stock you carry, your stand and display equipment, insurance, and how many sizes and martial arts you cover.

Check whether your municipality requires a vendor or business licence for events, and whether venues want proof of commercial general liability insurance. Also check GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000 CAD, depending on how many events you attend and how well your stock matches local sizes. Winter weather, travel and varying tournament seasons can affect sales.