Local uniform and workwear shop

Parents buying school uniforms, local employers kitting out staff, and sports clubs and community groups ordering team gear.

Retail margin on garments and accessories, plus fees for embroidery or printing and larger bulk orders from employers and clubs. Back-to-school season and the start of sports seasons are busy peaks.

• Customer service and sizing advice
• Stock control and ordering
• Building relationships with schools and employers

• Check whether a school or district already has an exclusive uniform supplier before you commit to stock
• Using school crests, team logos or brand marks may need permission from the owner
• Safety clothing and footwear may need to meet specific standards (for example CSA marks), check with your supplier and provincial regulator
• Textile labelling and, in Quebec, French-language signage and labelling rules
• Seasonal cash flow: you pay for stock before the summer rush, so plan your finances
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, plus GST/HST and any provincial sales tax registration

Estimates typically run around $40,000 to $120,000 to open, depending on premises, fit-out and how much stock you buy up front. Stock is paid for before the summer rush, so plan your finances carefully.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, school and employer relationships, and the season. Revenue is not profit, and cash flow can be uneven because you pay for stock before the busy summer period.

Check whether a school or district has an exclusive uniform supplier, and whether crests or team logos need permission. Also check safety clothing standards such as CSA marks, textile labelling, Quebec French-language rules, insurance, and GST/HST or provincial sales tax registration.