Open an outlet shop for surplus and end-of-line goods

Price-conscious families, students, newcomers setting up a home, and shoppers who enjoy hunting for a deal.

You buy stock cheaply in bulk lots, pallets or closeouts and resell at a markup. Profit depends on buying well, turning stock over quickly and keeping rent under control.

• Spotting good-value stock and pricing it
• Customer service
• Organizing stock and displays
• Basic bookkeeping

• Check municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules before signing a lease
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• Make sure goods are not recalled, counterfeit or banned; check Health Canada guidance on product safety, especially for toys and children's items
• Labelling rules for some goods, such as textiles, and bilingual packaging requirements, can apply; check what applies to your stock, and Quebec has extra language rules
• Stock quality and supply can be unpredictable, so avoid tying up all your cash in one big lot
• Lease terms and slow winter months can squeeze cash flow

Startup costs are typically estimated around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on the unit, lease terms, fit-out and how much stock you buy. It helps to avoid tying up all your cash in one big lot of stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, stock mix and pricing. That is revenue, not profit, and lease terms and slow winter months can squeeze cash flow.

Check your municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules before signing a lease. Also check insurance, Health Canada product safety guidance (especially for toys), labelling and bilingual packaging rules for your stock, and Quebec's extra language rules.