Saree boutique shop for weddings and festivals

Local South Asian communities, wedding parties, and shoppers who want to see fabric in person before buying for occasions.

Markup on stock sold in store, plus income from blouse stitching, alterations and accessories. Wedding and festival seasons usually bring the busiest sales.

• Buying and choosing stock
• Styling and customer service
• Managing stock and cash flow
• Building relationships with suppliers and tailors

• Check your municipality for a business licence and zoning for retail use
• Check commercial lease terms carefully, including length, deposits and who pays for fit-out
• Check GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules for your province
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance are worth checking
• Sales are seasonal around weddings and festivals, so plan cash flow for quiet months
• Check WCB or WSIB rules in your province if you hire staff or a tailor as an employee

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the premises, fit-out, lease deposits and how much stock you buy.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on location, stock and season. Sales are seasonal around weddings and festivals, so plan your cash flow for quieter months.

Check your municipality for a business licence and retail zoning, plus commercial lease terms including length, deposits and fit-out costs. Also check GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules, insurance, and WCB or WSIB rules if you hire staff or a tailor.