Online workwear store for trades and crews

Tradespeople shopping online, and small employers such as contractors, landscapers and farms ordering for their crews.

Margin on products sold online, and larger repeat orders from business accounts, sometimes with delivery or sizing support as a selling point.

• Setting up and running an online store
• Product knowledge and sizing advice
• Basic photography and listing writing
• Following up with business customers

• Check which safety standards your customers need for footwear and protective gear, and only sell products that meet them
• Check municipal rules if you store stock at home, including any home-based business licence
• Returns on sizes and boots can eat into margins, so set a clear returns policy
• Collect and remit GST/HST or provincial sales tax where required, and check shipping costs across Canada
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $2,000 to $12,000, depending on whether you hold stock or drop-ship, the platform you use, and how much you spend on photos and listings.

Check which safety standards your customers need for footwear and protective gear, and only sell products that meet them. Also check municipal rules for storing stock at home, GST/HST or provincial sales tax, your returns policy, and commercial and product liability insurance.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your niche, traffic and employer accounts, starting from about 10 hours a week. Returns on sizes and boots can eat into margins, so set a clear policy.