Sports accessories importer with a small warehouse

Sports retailers, chains of independent shops, gyms and fitness studios, school boards, leagues and online stores that need a steady supplier.

Buying in larger volumes lowers your cost per unit. You sell to retailers at wholesale prices with a margin, and larger accounts bring regular repeat orders.

• Supplier negotiation and sourcing
• Inventory and cash flow management
• Sales and account management
• Basic logistics and shipping

• Importing needs an import/export account with the Canada Revenue Agency, and duties and tariffs on goods can change, so check with the Canada Border Services Agency or a customs broker
• Some sports products have product safety, labelling or bilingual packaging rules, so check with Health Canada and the Competition Bureau
• Lease terms, zoning for warehouse use and fire or insurance requirements for stored stock
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Unsold stock and long shipping times can tie up cash, and currency changes affect your costs

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on your unit, how much stock you buy and whether you hire help. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000.

Check that you need an import/export account with the Canada Revenue Agency, and ask the CBSA or a customs broker about changing duties and tariffs. Also check Health Canada and the Competition Bureau for product safety, labelling and bilingual packaging rules.

Estimates suggest at least 30 hours a week. Useful skills include supplier negotiation and sourcing, inventory and cash flow management, sales and account management, and basic logistics and shipping.