Wholesale grocery delivery route for local shops

Independent grocers, convenience stores, corner shops, delis, cafés and small ethnic food stores that are too small to get good terms from the big distributors.

You buy in bulk from manufacturers or larger distributors and sell to shops at a trade price above your cost. Margins per item are thin, so profit depends on steady repeat orders and a tight delivery route.

• Selling and building relationships with shop owners
• Stock control and ordering
• Safe driving and route planning
• Basic bookkeeping and invoicing

• Check which food business licences, permits and inspections apply to storing and distributing food in your province and municipality
• Check whether a Safe Food for Canadians licence is needed if you import food or sell across provincial borders
• Commercial general liability, product liability and commercial vehicle insurance
• Cash flow risk: you pay suppliers up front while shops may pay late, so set clear credit terms
• Stock that expires or spoils, and winter delivery conditions

Estimates are typically around $15,000 to $60,000 to start, depending on your van, storage unit and opening stock. You pay suppliers up front while shops may pay late, so set clear credit terms.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your range, route size and the shops you supply. Estimates assume at least about 25 hours a week. Expired or spoiled stock can cut into margins.

Things to check: which food business licences, permits and inspections apply to storing and distributing food in your province and municipality; whether a Safe Food for Canadians licence is needed for imports or cross-border sales; and liability and commercial vehicle insurance.