Local soccer shop for cleats, kit and gear

Players and parents, youth and adult clubs, school teams and recreational leagues in your area.

Retail margin on products, plus team and club orders, kit printing or lettering, and busy seasonal periods such as spring and early fall registrations.

• Retail and stock control
• Knowing soccer gear and sizing
• Building relationships with clubs and coaches

• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• Municipal business licence and zoning for retail, check with your municipality
• GST/HST (and provincial sales tax where it applies), check how to register with the CRA and your province
• Heavy seasonality and stock tied up in sizes and styles that do not sell, plan cash flow for winter
• Competition from big sports chains and online sellers, so a local niche matters

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $40,000 to $120,000, depending on your premises and how much stock you carry. Stock can get tied up in sizes and styles that do not sell, so plan your cash flow carefully.

Check for a municipal business licence and zoning for retail with your municipality. Also check how to register for GST/HST (and provincial sales tax where it applies) with the CRA and your province, plus commercial general liability and contents insurance.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $12,000 to $45,000, depending on your location, range and club relationships. Sales are heavily seasonal, so plan cash flow for winter and consider a local niche against big chains and online sellers.