Hookah and shisha specialty shop

Adult hookah smokers, people buying gifts or home set-ups, and local cafés or lounges that need supplies.

Retail margin on products. Hookahs and accessories usually carry a higher margin than tobacco, and repeat customers buy coals and tobacco every few weeks.

• Retail sales and stock control
• Product knowledge and friendly advice
• Strict age checking and record keeping

• Tobacco is heavily regulated. Check the federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act and your province or territory's rules on retail registration or licensing, product display, signage, and where tobacco shops can be located
• Rules on flavoured tobacco, including shisha, differ between provinces and territories, so confirm what you may sell in your area before ordering stock
• Federal excise duty and provincial tobacco taxes may apply, along with stamping requirements. Check with the CRA and your provincial finance ministry
• Rules on online and mail-order tobacco sales differ by province, so check before selling online
• Rules on smoking or using hookahs on the premises differ by province and municipality. Check before offering any in-store use
• Commercial general liability insurance and property cover. Some insurers may be cautious with tobacco retail, so ask early
• Strict age verification. Fines for selling to minors can be serious
• Some landlords will not lease to tobacco shops, so check lease terms before you sign

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on your premises, stock, fit-out and insurance. Check lease terms before you sign, as some landlords will not lease to tobacco shops.

Check the federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act and your province or territory's rules on registration or licensing, display, signage, location and flavoured tobacco. Also check excise duty, provincial tobacco taxes and stamping with the CRA, plus rules on online sales and in-store use.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on your location, range and customer base. Plan for at least about 40 hours a week, and keep strict age checks, as fines for selling to minors can be serious.