Local office accessories distributor with a stock unit

Retailers, office supply dealers, corporate offices, schools and promotional product resellers.

Margin between bulk purchase prices and trade prices. Larger orders, fast local delivery and repeat accounts are the main edge over online-only sellers.

• Inventory and cash flow management
• B2B selling and account management
• Organizing orders and deliveries

• Check zoning and your municipality's business licence requirements for the unit
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus coverage for stock against theft, fire and damage
• Check GST/HST, provincial sales tax or QST registration, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff
• Check import duties, any current tariffs and labelling rules, including bilingual packaging, for the products you stock
• Stock tied up in slow-selling items and long customer payment terms can strain cash flow
• You may need a vehicle or a courier account for deliveries, and winter weather can disrupt them

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the unit you rent and how much stock you buy. Slow-selling items and long customer payment terms can strain cash flow.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your customer base and product range. Revenue is not profit, and you may also need a vehicle or courier account for deliveries.

Check zoning and municipal business licence rules for your unit, insurance for liability and stock, and GST/HST, provincial sales tax or QST registration. Also check import duties, tariffs and labelling rules, including bilingual packaging.