Second-Hand Shop with a Storefront

Local shoppers looking for value, students, young families, vintage fans and people furnishing a home on a budget.

You sell items at a mark-up over what you paid, or take a share of the sale price on consignment items. Steady stock turnover and low rent matter most.

• Pricing used goods fairly
• Merchandising and customer service
• Sourcing steady supplies of good stock

• Municipal business licence and zoning rules, check with your municipality
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• Collecting and remitting GST/HST or provincial sales tax, rules vary by province
• Rules on reselling certain used items such as children's products, mattresses and electronics, check provincial and federal guidance
• Some provinces have second-hand dealer or pawn rules that may require records or a licence, check your provincial and local rules
• Slow winter months and lease commitments

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your lease, shop fit-out and how much stock you buy up front. Insurance and licensing are further costs to check.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your location, stock quality and opening hours. Slow winter months and lease commitments can affect how much of that you keep.

Check your municipal business licence and zoning rules, insurance, and GST/HST or provincial sales tax. Also check rules on reselling items like children's products, mattresses and electronics. Some provinces have second-hand dealer or pawn rules that may require records or a licence.