Rice cracker and asian snack shop

Local residents, students, Asian communities, snack enthusiasts, office workers and gift buyers.

Retail sales at a markup over wholesale cost, plus gift boxes, seasonal items and local delivery or online orders.

• Buying and stock control
• Customer service
• Running a shop and basic bookkeeping

• Check with your local public health unit and municipality about permits, zoning and any inspection for selling packaged food
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, and WCB/WSIB registration if you hire staff (rules vary by province)
• Bilingual English and French labelling and allergen rules for packaged foods, and French-language sign rules in Quebec
• Lease commitments and rent, which are the biggest risk, so test demand first with a market stall or online sales
• Stock with best-before dates, so avoid over-ordering slow sellers

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on the unit, fit-out, opening stock and deposits. Lease commitments are the biggest risk, so testing demand first with a market stall or online sales may help.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your location, range and customer mix. Stock has best-before dates, so avoid over-ordering slow sellers, and remember revenue is not profit.

Check with your local public health unit and municipality about permits, zoning and any inspection for selling packaged food. Also check insurance, WCB/WSIB registration if you hire, bilingual labelling and allergen rules, and French-language sign rules in Quebec.