Online candy store

Sell retro, imported or themed candy boxes online and ship them to customers across the country.

Colourful sweets in glass jars on shelves inside a traditional sweet shop.
Startup cost$1.5k to $8k
Monthly revenue$800 to $4k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

Official data

3,409 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.3% in a year

NAICS 445292 “Confectionery and nut stores”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.

What it is

A web shop selling packaged candy, such as nostalgic favorites, imported treats or themed gift boxes, shipped from a spare room or small storage space.

Your first three steps

  1. Pick a niche, such as retro, international or gift boxes, and check what similar online shops charge
  2. Open accounts with candy wholesalers and order a small test range, then set up a store on a platform like Shopify or Etsy
  3. Check your state and county rules for storing and shipping food from home, and register for sales tax before your first sale
Who pays

Gift buyers, nostalgic snackers, collectors of hard-to-find candy, and event planners ordering favors.

How it makes money

You sell individual items and curated boxes at a markup over wholesale, plus shipping charges. Subscription boxes can bring repeat orders.

Skills that help
  • Online store setup and basic marketing
  • Order packing and shipping
  • Product sourcing and curation
Watch out for
  • Whether your state or county requires a food permit or registration, even for reselling pre-packaged candy from home
  • Home occupation permits and any HOA or lease limits on storing stock and shipping
  • Sales tax collection rules for out-of-state customers, which differ by state
  • Candy melting or breaking in transit, so plan packaging and summer shipping carefully
  • Imported candy labeling and ingredient rules, so verify products are legal to sell in the US

🔒 Full research report for US

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start an online candy store?

Estimates put startup costs typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your website, stock and packaging. Plan packaging carefully, since candy can melt or break in transit, especially with summer shipping.

How much can an online candy store earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on your product range, marketing and how many orders you ship. Sales tax collection rules for out-of-state customers differ by state, so check them.

Do I need a permit to sell candy online from home?

Check whether your state or county requires a food permit or registration, even for reselling pre-packaged candy from home. Also check home occupation permits, HOA or lease limits, and that imported candy labeling and ingredient rules allow sale in the US.

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Photo: Linda72 on Pixabay

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