Start a neighbourhood tobacconist shop in Canada

Adult local residents, commuters and regulars who buy often and value a convenient, familiar shop.

Retail margin on products bought from licensed wholesalers. Tobacco margins are usually thin, so accessories and extra product lines often matter for profit.

• Customer service and checking ID consistently
• Stock control and cash handling
• Negotiating with suppliers and landlords

• Provincial and federal tobacco rules on who can sell, age limits, display, promotion and flavours, so check your provincial regulator
• Buying only from licensed suppliers; illegal or contraband product can bring heavy penalties
• Commercial general liability insurance and theft or robbery risk, so check security and cash-handling advice
• Falling sales and changing regulation, so don't depend on one product line
• Fines or loss of your licence if staff sell to minors

Estimates typically put startup costs at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and opening stock. Check your lease terms and budget for security and insurance before you commit.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on location, opening hours, product range and how many regulars you build. Falling sales and changing regulation mean it helps not to depend on one product line.

Check provincial and federal tobacco rules on who can sell, age limits, display, promotion and flavours with your provincial regulator. Also check that you buy only from licensed suppliers, and that staff never sell to minors.