Seasonal pop-up shop for holiday decor and gifts

Local shoppers buying for festive occasions, plus office managers and families looking for decorations and gifts.

You buy stock wholesale or from local makers and sell at a markup. Most sales are packed into a short season, so stock choice and location matter.

• Choosing products that sell
• Merchandising and display
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Check short-term lease terms, deposits and any extra mall fees
• Check whether your municipality requires a business licence for a temporary shop
• Register for GST/HST (or the provincial tax that applies) once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Get commercial general liability insurance and check what your landlord requires
• Unsold stock after the season can tie up cash, so order cautiously

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the unit or kiosk you rent, deposits and how much stock you buy. Unsold stock can tie up cash, so order cautiously.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on location, products and timing. The shop runs for a few weeks or months around peak times, so plan for the rest of the year.

Check short-term lease terms, deposits and extra mall fees, and whether your municipality requires a business licence for a temporary shop. Also check when to register for GST/HST or provincial tax, and get commercial general liability insurance that meets your landlord's requirements.