Online winemaking supplies store

Home winemakers who live far from a specialist shop, plus gift buyers and people starting the hobby.

Margin on products sold, with extra from starter bundles and repeat orders of consumables. Shipping charges can cover part of your costs.

• Setting up and running an online shop
• Writing clear product guides
• Packing and shipping fragile goods

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store and pack stock at home
• Home insurance may not cover business stock, so ask about product liability and commercial general liability insurance
• Glass and heavy items are costly to ship and can break, so use proper packaging and check carrier rates
• Check how GST/HST and provincial sales tax apply to sales in different provinces
• Check rules on shipping any alcohol-related products, and French-language rules if selling to Quebec customers

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock, equipment and website setup you take on. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $1,000 to $8,000, depending on your range, marketing and customer base.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store and pack stock at home. Also check how GST/HST and provincial sales tax apply across provinces, and the rules on shipping alcohol-related products, including French-language rules for Quebec customers.

The idea calls for setting up and running an online shop, writing clear product guides for beginners, and packing and shipping fragile goods. Estimates suggest at least about 10 hours a week, depending on order volume.