Local sportswear shop

Local runners, gym members, parents buying for kids in sports, and nearby teams and clubs.

Retail margin on clothing and footwear, with extra from team orders, sales events and add-ons like socks and insoles.

• Customer service and fitting advice
• Buying and managing stock
• Basic retail bookkeeping

• Lease terms, deposits and fit-out costs, check carefully before committing
• Stock is a big upfront cost and seasonal items can be left unsold
• Municipal business licence and signage rules, check with your municipality
• Registering for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Online and big-box competition, plan how you will stand out
• Quebec shops have French-language signage and service requirements, check them

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your lease, fit-out and opening stock. Check lease terms, deposits and fit-out costs carefully, and remember seasonal items can be left unsold.

Check municipal business licence and signage rules, GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules. Check insurance and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire. Quebec shops have French-language signage and service requirements.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, range and customer base, with at least about 35 hours a week. Online and big-box competition is a factor, so plan how you will stand out.