Neighbourhood toiletries shop

Local residents, students, seniors and commuters who want convenient personal care items and good service.

You buy stock wholesale and sell at a markup. Extras like gift sets, refill stations and local or natural brands can lift the average sale.

• Customer service
• Stock ordering and pricing
• Basic bookkeeping
• Merchandising and display

• Commercial general liability insurance and property cover
• Municipal business licence and zoning for retail use
• Health Canada rules on cosmetics and labelling, including bilingual labels, check what applies to products you sell
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
• Thin margins on branded basics, since big chains compete on price
• Rent and slow winter periods can strain cash flow

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your premises, fit-out and opening stock. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, range and foot traffic.

Check Health Canada rules on cosmetics and labelling, including bilingual labels, for the products you sell. Also check your municipal business licence and zoning for retail use, GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules.

Estimates start at about 35 hours a week. Margins on branded basics can be thin because big chains compete on price, and rent and slow winter periods can strain cash flow, so plan your finances carefully.