Appointment-Only showroom in a small unit

Homeowners, renovators, interior designers and small contractors who want to see products in person before ordering.

You earn the margin between what you pay suppliers and what you charge. Many showroom items are ordered once a customer chooses, so you hold less stock. Some businesses also add delivery or design consultation fees.

• Selling and consultative advice
• Product knowledge
• Visual display and layout
• Organising appointments and orders

• Zoning and whether retail use is allowed in the unit, check with your municipality
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• GST/HST registration and provincial sales tax rules, which vary by province (Quebec has its own system)
• Lease length and rent, which are your biggest fixed cost if sales are slow
• Supplier agreements, minimum orders and who pays for damaged or returned goods
• Consumer protection rules on deposits, refunds and special orders, check your provincial regulator

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your unit, display fit-out, stock and insurance. Lease length and rent are your biggest fixed cost if sales are slow.

Check zoning and whether retail use is allowed in the unit with your municipality. Also check insurance, GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules, which vary by province, supplier agreements, and consumer protection rules on deposits, refunds and special orders.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your product range and how many customers book visits. Plan for at least about 15 hours a week, since visits are mostly by appointment.