Online rug store

Homeowners, renters furnishing a new place, and small landlords or Airbnb hosts. Some interior designers may order too.

You buy at wholesale and sell at retail, so each sale earns a margin. Add-ons such as rug pads and free swatches can raise the order value.

• Online selling and basic website setup
• Eye for colour and style
• Customer service and handling returns

• Check how GST/HST and provincial sales tax apply to online sales to customers in each province
• If you import, check duties, customs brokerage and any labelling rules for textile products
• Large rugs are costly to ship and returns can eat margin, so set a clear returns policy
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store stock at home
• Commercial general liability and product insurance, so confirm with a broker

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your website, opening stock or supplier arrangements, photography and insurance. Large rugs are costly to ship, so factor that into pricing.

Things to check: how GST/HST and provincial sales tax apply to customers in each province; import duties, customs brokerage and textile labelling if you import; a home-based business licence if you store stock at home; and insurance.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your range, pricing and marketing. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week. Returns can eat into margin, so set a clear returns policy.