Find Books

This section will introduce several "how-to" books on business to help you get started with your research. These books will primarily introduce you to business plan writing. These books will also introduce general business types such as retail and service business models.

 

Find Books Using Relevant Subject Headings

• Coffeehouses- Management.
• Business planning.
• New business enterprises -- Management.
• Small business -- Management.

 

Google Books 
Google Books is a search feature offered by Google. It enables users to search the full text of approximately 10 million books that Google has scanned and stored in its digital database. It also offers previews of books that are currently still in print.

Worldcat 
A global catalogue of library collections from various libraries around the world. You can search for books on business planning, new enterprises, start-ups, or your specific industry. You can search for all the locations with copies of a specific item, and then locate the item in a nearby library. In Worldcat, you can also view research articles and other digital content directly online.

 

 

illume
A search portal to BC's post-secondary and public library collections (93 libraries). 

Find Business Plans

In the page below you will find examples of successful business plans. Researching your business plan can be a very time-consuming experience, but it is an essential and worthwhile investment. Your business plan will become your most important day to day operating tool. The information resources and strategies in this guide will help you create an effective plan and increase your chances for business success.

Review Sample Plans for Ideas

Most books about starting a business will include examples of business plans, as well as business planning templates. In addition to books, online business resources frequently include sample business plans. Here are a few to get you started.

 

Business Plans

Bplans.com
This site offers a selection of free sample business plans, as well as articles on business planning. Bplans.com also sells business planning software.

 

• Coffee Kiosk Business Plan
• Cafe Bistro Coffeehouse Business Plan
• Coffee Shop Business Plan
• Internet Cafe Business Plan
• Coffeehouse Business Plan

 

Business Plans Handbook, Gale Publishing
This is a database of actual business plans written by North American entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses. Includes examples of many start-up business ideas. Access is available through many BC public libraries, made possible by a generous donation from the Sutherland Foundation. Affiliates of UBC can start here.

 

• Coffee House Business Plan - Coffee Circus
• Coffee Shop Business Plan - Clockworks Coffee and Café
• Drive-Thru Coffee Business Plan - College Bros. Coffee Inc. 
• Combination Coffeehouse/Play Spot Business Plan - Java Jumpz LLC

 

SCORE
SCORE is a non profit association helping small businesses. Their library includes templates for business plans, SWOT analysis, financial projections and more.

 

Are there any other business plan sources you can find? Try: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/services/for-businesses/entrepreneurs-and-small-businesses/business-plans-index/ 

 

Marketing Plans

Marketing Plan Outline from Government of Canada |This Government of Canada page reviews the components of a marketing plan and why a marketing plan is necessary for your small business. 

BDC Marketing Plan Template | This comprehensive marketing plan template from BDC is for Canadian entrepreneurs specifically and includes all the important sections of a marketing plan, including an executive summary, identification of your target customer, and how you'll measure your sales.

 

Small Business BC - How to Write a Marketing Plan
This guide shows you how to develop a marketing plan that includes details like how you intend to meet your customers’ needs and communicate the benefits of your products or services to them. When making any decisions about market positioning, pricing, promotions, and sales, your customers should always be top of mind.

Find Capital

In this section you will find links to information on funding for your business. No business can function without money to pay for overhead expenses and production or product costs. It is also unusual for a business founder to have the capital to fully fund their business. The sources in this section will help you consider the best source of funding for your business.

 

Suggestions for Obtaining Capital

With proper planning and a few resources to guide you on your way, identifying and securing capital to start and grow your business becomes a much smoother and gentler process. There are several ways to secure the capital needed to fund your business.

Government Funding

This is money that the government gives you to fund your business, based on your application to the funding grant. There are other types of government assistance you might wish to explore here: Business Grants and Financing (link :https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/grants.html)). Personal Savings: This involves saving your money from your current employment to invest in your business.

 

Personal Savings

This involves saving your money from your current employment to invest in your business.

 

Personal Loans

This option means using your personal credit to secure a loan or using your personal credit card for business expenses.
 

Crowdfunding/Micro-Lending

Crowdfunding and micro-lending are both alternative ways of raising capital that involve having large groups of people pre-buy your product before it is launched or loan you small amounts that you can then use to finance your business.

 

Private Financing/Equity Financing

This types of financing comes in the form of loans from banks or individuals. It is obtained through your business’ credit availability or through providing equity in your business in exchange for money. This financing involves going into debt or giving up some control of your business.

Below, we have some resources that can help you find funding options for your business:

• Fundica
• Funding and Grants Database
• Innovation Canada

Industry Codes: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

At the start of your research, it may not be clear what specific industry you should be examining. A good strategy is to find out if your business idea is classified in an industrial classification system. These systems organize industries by assigning them a numeric code. The most commonly used system is the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Once you know your Industry Classification Code you can use this number to:

• Find industry-specific statistics on government websites or in library databases
• Generate lists of competitors in company directories

​​

Another common classification system is the Standard Industry Code (SIC). NAICS have mostly replaced the SIC, but the SIC is still used by some commercial databases. Finding and using these classification systems to effectively search can be tricky, so don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help.

Start With These Suggestions

​​

Search or browse all NAICS or SIC codes on the NAICS Association website. Some NAICS codes are different in Canada — you can search by keyword or browse Canadian NAICS codes at Statistics Canada or Canadian Industry Statistics. To search for a SIC code using a NAICS code and vice versa, use the NAICS & SIC Crosswalks.   

For more information about planning your industry research, including identifying your industry codes, check out the video tutorial for Module 3: Planning Your Industry Research.

Library Databases

The Expensive World Of Business Information

Believe it or not, you cannot find everything on Google! Have you ever done an online search and found the perfect industry report only to find that it costs over $5,000? Did you know that libraries pay for many expensive databases that could be helpful in your secondary market research? 

Search engines like Google can only provide direct access to freely available information. Most of the web, including business information, lives in databases behind expensive paywalls. This paywall-protected section of the Internet is known as the deep web. Fortunately, some libraries pay to subscribe to databases so they can provide free access to their patrons — and many business databases can contain useful information such as articles, market research, and company reports.

There are several strategies you can use to access relevant business information on the deep web. First, we urge you to look up what business resources your local public or academic library can provide access to. Each database has its own arrangement, with unique interfaces and search features. It helps to know the structure and search terms of the specific database you are working with in order to retrieve effective results. 

Also, it is important to know that library databases are restricted by specific usage agreements. It can help to consult with a librarian if you have trouble navigating a specific database. They may also be able to help you find comparable information elsewhere. Libraries with robust business collections might have useful e-books, directories and trade journals. As you conduct your secondary market research you will likely need to consult both free and deep web resources.

For more information about how and why to use business databases, check out our video tutorial, Module Four: Conducting Your Industry Research.

 

Provincial Library Database Partners

How to access: Check out the database list and note the License Participants to find out which institutions have access. Otherwise, contact your local post-secondary library to see what they offer.

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

ELN licenses databases with partner academic libraries. These include LexisNexis, Canadian Newsstream, Hoovers, CBCA Business, ABI/INFORM Complete and others that may be of interest to business researchers.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

• Global Coffee Shops Market to Reach $201.4 Billion by 2027: Abstract: Global Coffee Shops Market to Reach $201. 4 Billion by 2027. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Coffee Shops estimated at US$156. (2021, July 19). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• The Specialty Coffee Shops Market is expected to grow by USD 80.78 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 13% during the forecast period: Global Specialty Coffee Shops Market 2020-2024 The analyst has been monitoring the global specialty coffee shops market and it is poised to grow by USD 80. 78 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 13% during the forecast period. (2020, February 17). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Canada Food and Drink report - Q1 2022. (2021). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.

• Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Coffee Market Size Worth $2,722.3 Million by 2027 | CAGR: 15.3%: Astute Analytica. (2021, September 7). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Global Specialty Coffee Shops Market 2020-2024 | Increasing Consumption of Coffee to Boost Growth | Technavio. (2020, February 20). Business Wire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• The global market for Coffee Shops is projected to reach US$237.6 billion by 2025: driven by the silent importance and role by them in our society. Coffee is the second most popular beverage after water. Not surprisingly coffee performs a very important social function and plays a vital role in building social relationships. (2020, August 19). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Adeleke, Abi (2019). Marketing Strategies of Successful Coffee Shop Owners. (Publication No. 13885584). [Doctoral dissertation, Walden University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• STUDY: 'Coffee and Green Go Together' - American Cities with the Most Coffee Shops Correlate to Most Eco-Friendly Cities: Infogroup study reveals Western cities make up 80 percent of top coffee shop cities, positively correlating with cities in Infogroup's Green Adopters for businesses. (2015, July 8). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

 

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• (2020, November). Bars and Cafes Services Global Market Briefing 2020: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/bars-and-cafes-services-global-market-briefing.html 
• (2020, December). Functional Foods and Beverages: Global Markets. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/market-research/food-and-beverage/functional-food-market.html

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Jacobsen, Jessica (2020). What’s Old is New: Pandemic bolsters in-home coffee consumption. Beverage Industry. 111(9), 12-16.
• Jacobsen, Jessica (2021). Taking Coffee to the Next Level. Beverage Industry. 112(2), 4. 
• Kalkowski, John (2020). SPILLING THE BEANS ABOUT COFFEE PACKAGING: As coffee consumption grows worldwide, pouches and bags prove popular despite increasing use of new forms such as pods and RTD bottles and cans. Flexible Packaging. 23(2), 22-23.

• Kim, S., Kim M., & Holland, S. (2018). How Customer Personality Traits Influence Brand Loyalty in the Coffee Shop Industry: The Moderating Role of Business Types. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration. 19(3), 311-335.

• Ferreira, Jennifer (2018). Fostering sustainable behaviour in retail: looking beyond the coffee cup. Social Business. 8 (1), 21-28.
• Perez, M. G. (2021). U.S. Coffee Chains Face Two-Year Recovery From Covid Sales Hit. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG.

   

 

First Research Industry Profiles

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).

Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.

• (2021) Coffee Shops- Quarterly Update 7/19/2021. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2021) Specialty Food Stores - Quarterly Update 11/15/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
• (2021) Bakery Product Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 11/15/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
• (2021) Nonalcoholic Beverage Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 10/18/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
• (2021) Coffee & Tea Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 11/22/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.

   

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• DellaCamera, Christopher. Coffee and Snack Shops in Canada. (2021, September). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 72221bCA | Accommodation and Food Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Couillard, Lucie (2020, August). Specialty Food Stores in Canada. (2021, May). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 44529CA / Retail Trade in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Thomas, Brigitte. Specialty Food Stores in the U.S. (2021, May). US Industry (NAICS) Report 31192A. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Koronios, Eva. Coffee and Tea Production in Canada. (2021, May). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 31192CA. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Per capita coffee consumption. (2021, November). U.S. Business Environment Profiles Report F411. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.

   

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Packaged Facts. (2021, August). U.S. Beverage Market Outlook 2021. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, June). Beverages: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, August). Beverage Retail: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2021, November). Functional Beverages: Market Trends and Opportunities. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

   

 

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Business Market Research Collection brings together four sources to help students more easily conduct the research they need to produce business plans, marketing plans, startup plans, market growth analysis, and strategic and financial plans. Includes access to: Hoover's Company Profiles, OxResearch, Barnes Reports, and the older Snapshots Series, which includes market research overviews on over 40 industries and 40 countries to 2008.

• Coffee shops - quarterly update 10/18/2021. (2021). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/reports/coffee-shops-quarterly-update-10-18-2021/docview/2583065117/se-2?accountid=14656 
• Specialty eateries - quarterly update 4/19/2021. (2021). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/reports/specialty-eateries-quarterly-update-4-19-2021/docview/2515056174/se-2?accountid=14656 
• Coffee shops - quarterly update 12/21/2020. (2020). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/reports/coffee-shops-quarterly-update-12-21-2020/docview/2471718238/se-2?accountid=14656 

 

Statista

• Lock, S. (2021, November 4). Coffee and snack shop industry market size in Canada 2011-2021. IBISWorld. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2020).Statista dossier on the coffee shop and café industry in the U.S. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Conway, Jan. (2021, October 8). Coffee market in Canada: statistics and facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2020). Coffee market worldwide. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Conway, Jan. (2021, December 6). Coffee-drinking consumers in the U.S. by age group, 2020. National Coffee Association. National Coffee Data Trends 2020. Retrieved from Statista database.

 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• (2021). What’s working in hot drinks. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2021). BOSS Coffee: Touch-and-Go Coffee. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2020, August 3). How Starbucks is using the COVID-19 crisis to differentiate the brand. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.

 

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link below. Individual resources and databases will have different access requirements.

UBC Library has an excellent collection of current and historical newspapers from B.C., Canada, and around the world. UBC affiliates will have access to these resources.

• (2020, December 10.) City postpones fee on single-use cups and ban on plastic shopping bags to 2022. Impact News Service. Retrieved from NexisUni database. 
• McSheffrey, E. (2022, January 27). ‘We didn’t get it right’: City of Vancouver to revisit new single-use cup fees. Global News Canada. Retrieved from NexisUni database.

Industry News

In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.

 

Associations

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

 

British Columbia Associations

• British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservice Association | Check out the COVID-19 Resources section for helpful pandemic-related downloads.

Canadian Associations

• Coffee Association of Canada | Aims to enhance the coffee beverage experience by providing members and consumers with opportunities to improve coffee beverage knowledge and skills. 
• Restaurants Canada | Restaurants Canada is an organization that represents every sector of Canada's foodservice industry. Check out the Research section.

International Associations

• National Coffee Association | The largest coffee association in North America serves the public and its members by championing the well being of the coffee industry within the context of the global coffee community. Check out their report Coffee, Consumers, & COVID-19: Road Map to Recovery, which details Americans’ return to coffee shops. 
• World Coffee Research | Focuses on collecting research from the coffee industry with the potential to improve coffee productivity, coffee quality, climate resilience, and farmer livelihoods. Have a look at their Annual Report 2020, titled “Ensuring the Future of Coffee.” 
• World Coffee Portal | A global network of coffee professionals with more than 20 years’ experience analyzing the global coffee market, this site brings together information about the coffee industry and its current challenges. Check out their latest Coffee Industry Reports here.
• International Coffee Organization | Is the main intergovernmental organization for coffee, bringing together producing and consuming countries to tackle the challenges facing the world coffee sector through international cooperation. Check out their extensive Resources. 
• Specialty Coffee Association (Canada and international chapters) | SCA is a non-profit organization, based in the US. The Canadian chapter can be found here and was formerly the Canadian Coffee Guild. Both SCA and the Canadian chapter of SCA provide events and education for members; SCA also performs market and scientific research which is available through the member portal and for purchase on their site.

 

Magazines & Trade Journals

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

• Fresh Cup Magazine | Delivers in-depth analysis of the specialty coffee and tea industries with a focus on helping new coffee shop owners through their training courses and workshops. Published once a month, they offer blog style articles along with their digital magazine, as well as a section for new and upcoming ideas to take your coffee shop to the next level. You can purchase back issues here.
• Boughton’s Coffee House | This bi-monthly publication is aimed at café owners, roasters, and employees, with a focus on providing information to help grow businesses. See current issue highlights as well as free current & back issues here.
• Barista Magazine Online | Published on a bi-monthly basis, this magazine is available for free through their app, Barista Magazine. Covering a variety of topics such as equipment and coffee market, a summary of their latest issue can be seen here.

 

Consultant & Other Websites

MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.

PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.

Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.

 

Vancouver Coffee Academy | The Academy, launched in 2021 by Origins Coffee Roasters on Granville Island, is the only SCA-certified premier training campus for coffee roasters and baristas in Vancouver. 

Canadian Barista Institute | Focused on training and educating coffee entrepreneurs across Canada, this organization also hosts annual trade shows and barista competitions. Their blog features practical resources for the aspiring coffee shop owner, such as this article on Coffee Shop and Roasting Insurance.

 

Blogs, Podcasts, and Forums

• Vancouver Coffee Snob | This blog is written by an anonymous reviewer in Vancouver, BC. In addition to reviewing coffee shops on a regular basis, they post about local coffee events. Check out their top ten coffee shops of 2021 list here.
• Timbertrain Coffee Roasters Blog | Run by Gastown’s own Timbertrain Coffee Roasters, this blog dedicates itself to coffee education, industry news, and Timbertrain events. Read their Coffee Knowledge posts here. 
• Commonly Coffee | This blog is a Vancouver-born, Calgary-based coffee lover’s homage to great coffee. Posts review coffee roasters and cafes around Calgary, and recommend coffee gear for at-home coffee brewing. Also features the Commonly Coffee Club, a group-buy of wholesale coffee from various U.S. and Canadian roasters for Calgary/Edmonton residents. 

 

• Bean Stuff Coffee Podcast | Paul Allen and Reed Allen, veteran coffee roasters, discuss all aspects of coffee brewing, including roasting methods, the role of olfaction in roasting, and ever-developing coffee culture. 
• The Folly Coffee Podcast | Rob Bathe of Folly Coffee Roasters collects stories from small business owners about their journeys into the coffee industry, as well as other sectors of the food and beverage industry. This podcast collects advice for aspiring coffee entrepreneurs as well as tracing Folly’s own progress as a small business startup. 
• Coffee is ME | A podcast for coffee professionals and entrepreneurs, Coffee is Me discussed current events in the coffee industry and aims to inspire future coffee entrepreneurs. 
• Keys to the Shop | This podcast features advice and topics for all levels of coffee professionals and entrepreneurs from beginners to pros. Episode categories range from leadership or management to supply chain issues.
• Coffee Roaster Warm-Up Sessions | The roasters at Mirror Coffee Roasters, based out of Bellingham, WA, discuss the roasting process and coffee shop business while waiting for their roasters to warm up in the morning. 

 

TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.

Government Websites

In this section we have gathered some of the most reliable freely available online government and employment websites for you to use in your research.

 

Canadian Websites

BC Stats | Current reports and statistics from British Columbia's central statistical agency including labour market information, economic statistics and bankruptcies. Start by searching their Industry section and narrowing by industry type or go to the Business, Industry & Trade page to skim all the different business-related topics.

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

 

 

Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS) - Industry Canada | CIS analyses industry data on many economic indicators using the most recent data from Statistics Canada. CIS looks at industry trends and financial information, such as GDP, Labour Productivity, Manufacturing and Trade data.

• Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places - 7225

• Other specialty-line food merchant wholesalers - 41319

 

City of Vancouver’s Open Data Portal

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link above and is free to use.

The Government of Canada routinely collects vast quantities and kinds of information on a diverse spectrum of topics. Now the City of Vancouver is making this information available to the public in a single concise searchable portal called Open Data 101. This data is accessible to the public and structured in an easy to understand format.

 

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
Provides market research, industry statistics, licensing information for intellectual property, and information about doing business internationally. The Industry Canada site features interactive applications such as customizable trade reports, cost calculators, and online business planning guides. You can also search broad Canadian industry statistics.

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

 

WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.

US & International Websites

Small Business Administration: Free Small Business Data
This site is created and managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides a list of free sources of information that you can use to obtain data about markets in the US.

AgEcon Search: Research in Agricultural and Applied Economics
AgEcon Search collects, indexes, and electronically distributes full text copies of scholarly research in the broadly defined field of agricultural economics including sub disciplines such as agribusiness, food supply, natural resource economics, environmental economics, policy issues, agricultural trade, and economic development.

Regulations

 

Learn More About Compliance Issues

When it comes to starting a business, one of the first decisions you need to make is the legal structure of your business - sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited company. You'll also need to register your business and you'll need to be aware of many municipal, provincial or federal regulations. The websites in this section will help you.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Permits and Licenses Search | Search for the permits and licenses applicable to your industry and location to meet all federal, provincial and municipal regulations.

Justice Laws Website - Food and Drug Regulations | Learn about specific requirements for coffee bean imports and other food rules here.

TIP: Many compliance issues and regulations are on the city or provincial level. To find out about new or upcoming regulations or issues of compliance, check newspaper and news databases using keywords related to your industry.

 

General Business Resources

BizPaL
This is the one-stop website to assist Canadian businesses that are just starting up, or expanding into new areas. BizPaL asks you a short series of questions about the nature and scope of your current or proposed business. Based on your answers, BizPaL provides you with a customized list of government permits and licences that you may require to operate your business. All of the information that you provide is kept anonymous, and you may save or print your results for future reference.

 

Canada Revenue Agency - Business
This section of the Canadian federal tax agency's website contains important taxation and documentation requirements that businesses operating in Canada must adhere to.

• Keeping records
• Business Number (BN) registration
• Business expenses

 

 

Small Business BC (SBBC)
SBBC is a great place to start for information on BC specific regulations and guidelines, for whatever stage you are in your business development. This is a great post on the topic.

The Province of British Columbia
Provides information on programs and resources available to small business owners in British Columbia. Includes information on taxes and industry regulations. Start with the Permits, Licences & Registrations section.

Tips on Company Research
 

An in-depth investigation and analysis of your competition is one of the most important components of a comprehensive market analysis. A competitive analysis allows you to assess your competitors' strengths and weaknesses in the marketplace, and to implement effective strategies to improve your competitive advantage. Here are some research strategies for doing your competitive analysis:

• Company directories can be used to create lists of competitors by industry, product line, size, etc.
• Doing a company name search in a general research database is an excellent way to learn more about your competitor’s products, services, prices, and media coverage.
• If your competitors are public companies, learn more about them by reading their financials and annual reports.
• News archives provide a range of competitive information on both public and private companies.
• Patents are a good way to learn about the technical and design features of a competitor's products. You can refer to this UBC Library Research Guide, created by UBC Engineering Librarians, if you are looking for patent information. Most of the resources listed are freely available.

For information on primary and secondary market research, as well as common sources for secondary market research, watch our video tutorial Module One: Introduction To Market Research.

 

Finding information on public companies is considerably easier than finding information on privately-held companies. Information on public companies is readily available online, or at your local library. Another good starting point is the list of resources in the next section of this Accelerator Guide: Find Competitors. Unlike public companies, private companies are not required to file with the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). Searching for private company information is considerably more difficult and will require a lot of patience, and a healthy dose of creativity. 

 

Find Competitors

Learning About Competitors

To create a list of competitors and find basic information about them (e.g. number of employees, contact information) you will need to consult business directories. Many directories are available online for free, while others are fee-based commercial databases. You can find directories that are particular to an industry or geography. Your local library will likely have a good collection of directories that you can consult in person.

For further information about secondary market research, see our video tutorial Module Two: Secondary Market Research for Industry Analysis.

If you know of some public companies in your industry, then annual reports can provide a great deal of useful financial information including sales volume, revenue increases, and total market share. You can search the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) for Canadian Company filings. If the competitor you are researching does business in the US, then you search the Security and Exchange Commissions equivalent, EDGAR, which provides free public access to corporate information including financial information and operations by reviewing registration statements, prospectuses and periodic reports filed on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. You also can find information about recent corporate events reported on Form 8-K that a company does not have to disclose to investors. You can use advanced search features to search by Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes.

Free Business Directories

CanadaOne - Canadian Business Directory
CanadaOne has a directory of over 20,000 Canadian businesses.

Federal Corporations Data Online 
Free searchable database of federally incorporated/registered companies.

Frasers
A comprehensive industrial directory and search tool, with information on products and services provided by Canadian industrial wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributors. You can search by product name, company name, or brand name.

 

• Try searching general terms such as cafe or coffee shop.

D&B Hoovers
Provides information on 18 million US and international companies, both public and private. D&B Hoovers' reports are generated quickly, and are easy to read. A fair amount of information is provided for free, but much more is available with a paid subscription. If you know the company name or ticker symbol of any of the key players in your industry, try searching for their Hoovers records to find key information. Use the link above for free information or contact your local library to see if they provide access. Affiliates of UBC may have access. 

 

Proprietary Business Directories

Business in Vancouver, Book of Lists
Comprehensive collection of BC business data compiled annually as the popular BIV Book of Lists. Provides data on over 1000 companies including: websites, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, top executives' names, company age, revenues, profits and much more. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version (here are details on how to locate it) or you can get your own online subscription.

Mergent Online

Provides access to detailed information on Canadian, US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

The Blue Book of Canadian Business
Detailed profiles for over 60 Canadian corporations, including missions/values, history, operations, social responsibility and executive biographies. Also contains directory type information for 2,500 Canadian companies, a ranking of the top 500 companies and a list of the top 400 Canadian stocks. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version of this periodical (here are details on how to locate it at UBC in Vancouver).

 

Reference Canada
Provides information on more than one million businesses throughout Canada. Includes name, address, phone number, contacts, number of employees, annual sales volumes, line of business, and credit rating. Vancouver Public Library subscribes to this online directory so check with your local library about access.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases, use 'by title' if you already know the name. Otherwise, you can use the list 'by subject' to find starting places for doing market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

Mapping Your Competitors

Online maps such as Google Maps or Bing Maps and popular directories such as Yelp are a fast way to locate nearby competitors, and to get a better sense of the region your business operates within. Try searching for the name of your product or industry and narrowing your results by focusing the map on a specific location, such as a city or neighborhood.

 

SimplyAnalytics

This is an Internet-based mapping application that enables users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing data variables. Check your local public or academic library for access. UBC affiliates can learn more and get access.

Trade Shows

Attending trade shows is an excellent way to learn more about your competitors. Contact local associations or read trade publications to find out what trade shows are coming to your community.

RC Show

RC Show is Canada’s largest food service trade event. Hosted by Restaurants Canada (previously the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association), who put on their first restaurant show in 1945. Includes exhibits, workshops, industry competitions, networking events and keynote speakers.

Coffee Fest

Coffee Fest is an American coffee trade exhibition that has been running since 1992. They offer exhibitions, competitions, and education for their attendees.

The Canadian Coffee and Tea Show

The Canadian Coffee and Tea show takes place in Toronto. They encourage a wide variety of people connected to the coffee business to attend, including coffee shop owners, roasters, and pastry chefs. The event includes exhibitions, product showcases, education, and interactive workshops.

Specialty Coffee Expo

Designed to be “the coffee professional’s one-stop shop for everything they need to succeed in the coffee industry”, the Specialty Coffee Expo invites roasters and retailers of specialty coffee alike to exhibit their specialty coffee products and attend SCA lectures.

 

Find Financial Benchmarks

One thing you will need to do in the financials section of your business plan is discuss how you will price your products and/or services, and how this compares to your competitors. You will need to develop a financial plan that includes your projected revenues and net income. The following resources will help you find financial information on competitors in your industry.

 

Free Tools for Finding Financial Info

EDGAR
Filings with the US Securities & Exchange Commission by companies listed on US exchanges. 10-K Forms include detailed information on company history, structure, financial statements, and other relevant data.

 

 

SEDAR
A collection of corporate filings that are required by securities regulators, from companies operating in Canada. This website is an excellent source for information about a company's plans, competitive environment, markets, products, and assets. SEDAR is the Canadian equivalent of EDGAR.

 

 

Finding Benchmarks & Ratios

Ratios are tools that allow you to plan and assess your company’s progress over time, and to compare it to other companies in the same industry. There are different kinds of ratios, including operating ratios, financial ratios, performance indicators, and benchmarks.

Financial Performance Data (formerly SME Benchmarking Tool)
Tool for benchmarking your financial reports with others in your sector. Website also includes a collection of financial data and annual reports of various Canadian companies. For instructions on using the Financial Performance Data click here. To create a report using Financial Performance data click here.

 

TIP: Remember to search using your NAICS code.

• NAICS 311920 (Coffee & Tea Manufacturing)
• NAICS 722512 (Limited-service eating places)
• NAICS 722515 (Snack and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Bars)
• NAICS 72233 (Mobile Food Services)
• NAICS 445299 (All other specialty food stores)

 

Financial Performance Indicators for Canadian Business

Offers current financial ratios by industry, based on data provided by Statistics Canada. The indicators are designed to serve as financial performance benchmarks against which individual firms and industries can be compared. Affiliates of UBC, UNBC, UVic and SFU have access through Abacus Dataverse. If you are visiting, please contact your local library about access.

 

Proprietary Tools For Finding Financial Info

UBC Company Research Guide

This research guide was created by UBC business librarians. Follow this link to go directly to the section of the guide that features various UBC Library electronic resources that are recommended for searching for financial information on competitors, such as credit rankings, stock prices and invest analyst reports. You can explore the navigation on the right-hand side to find more recommended research sources on the general topic of company research.

 

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

 

Mergent Online
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

 

Tools for Finding Financial Info

UBC Company Research Guide
This research guide was created by UBC business librarians. Follow this link to go directly to the section of the guide that features various UBC Library electronic resources that are recommended for searching for financial information on competitors, such as credit rankings, stock prices and investment analyst reports. You can explore the navigation on the right-hand side to find more recommended research sources on the general topic of company research.

 

 

Tools For Calculating Your Own Financials

• Financial Ratio Calculators - Business Development Canada
• Financial Ratios Calculator: Debt to Equity and Other Ratios - Canada One
• Business Calculators - GoForth Institute

Market Share & Size

Both market size and market share held by competitors are key factors when assessing the competitive environment. Keep in mind that there is no single source of market size and market share data. Market information is usually pieced together from various sources and is not often readily available for niche or emerging industries. One strategy is to combine a competitor's name or a comparable, established industry with the term market share in article databases or read market research reports. You will need to identify and describe your market – who your customers are and what the demand is for your products and services.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• Global Coffee Shops Market to Reach $201.4 Billion by 2027: Abstract: Global Coffee Shops Market to Reach $201. 4 Billion by 2027. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Coffee Shops estimated at US$156. (2021, July 19). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• The Specialty Coffee Shops Market is expected to grow by USD 80.78 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 13% during the forecast period: Global Specialty Coffee Shops Market 2020-2024 The analyst has been monitoring the global specialty coffee shops market and it is poised to grow by USD 80. 78 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 13% during the forecast period. (2020, February 17). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Coffee Market Size Worth $2,722.3 Million by 2027 | CAGR: 15.3%: Astute Analytica. (2021, September 7). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Global Specialty Coffee Shops Market 2020-2024 | Increasing Consumption of Coffee to Boost Growth | Technavio. (2020, February 20). Business Wire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• The global market for Coffee Shops is projected to reach US$237.6 billion by 2025: driven by the silent importance and role by them in our society. Coffee is the second most popular beverage after water. Not surprisingly coffee performs a very important social function and plays a vital role in building social relationships. (2020, August 19). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

 

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• Goldman, J. (2021, September 10.) The pumpkin spice craze by the numbers. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Nunez, A. (2021, April 29.) Starbucks serves optimistic results for its fiscal Q2. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Goldman, J. (2021, September 2.) Starbucks bids the mall goodbye, leans into drive-thru and frictionless CX. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• (2021) Coffee Shops- Quarterly Update 7/19/2021. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2021) Specialty Food Stores - Quarterly Update 11/15/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
• (2021) Bakery Product Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 11/15/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
• (2021) Nonalcoholic Beverage Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 10/18/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Packaged Facts. (2021, August). U.S. Beverage Market Outlook 2021. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, June). Beverages: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, August). Beverage Retail: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2021, November). Functional Beverages: Market Trends and Opportunities. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

• (2021) Coffee Shops- Quarterly Update 7/19/2021. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2021) Specialty Food Stores - Quarterly Update 11/15/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
• (2021) Bakery Product Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 11/15/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
• (2021) Nonalcoholic Beverage Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 10/18/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.

Demographic Data

The resources listed in this section will help you identify population characteristics, and help you develop your customer profile. This research will also help you identify geographic areas where the largest number of your potential customers live. This can be very useful when determining a location for your business, and also when formulating your marketing strategy. Don't forget that trade associations and trade journals collect information about customers and can be great information sources for this area of your research.

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

 

(Search CANSIM  and list relevant sources and tables about Canadian and their consumer behavior, start with https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1110022201 ) 

 

Census Profile - Statistics Canada

Provides Canadian community profiles from the latest Census of Canada. These profiles are very useful for comparing statistics on different municipalities or regional districts. Includes details on family characteristics, primary language, mobility, educational attainment, marital status, labour force activity, earnings, and mode of transportation to work.

 

Socio-Economic Profiles - BC Stats 

The socio-economic profiles consist of charts and tables for the various regional districts, health areas, college regions and school districts. Each region contains a map, demographic profile, economic hardship, labour market structure, education concerns, crime, health problems, children at risk, and youth at risk. The profiles are presented in a format that allows comparison to other regions in the province and to BC overall.

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

(Search The Daily - Statistics Canada and list relevant sources and tables about Canadian and their consumer behavior)

 

Canadian Household Spending - Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.

This table provides statistical information about household expenditures by Canadians broken down into a variety of categories. You can refine the table by region. You can view the full list of data tables here. 

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• TIP: Browse by Topic in the Restaurants and Dining category.

 

Passport GMID (formerly Global Market Information Database)

Passport GMID, produced by Euromonitor, is an integrated information system providing business intelligence on country economies and demographics, consumers, lifestyles, companies and industries. At UBC this resource is only available to current UBC students, staff and faculty; it is not available for walk in-users.

• RTD Coffee in Canada. (2022, January.) Passport. Retrieved from Passport GMID database. 
• Barry, M. (2021, January 25). Coffee Shops in the New Normal. Passport. Retrieved from Passport GMID database. 

 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• Hamill, Anna. (2020, July). Three ways that Starbucks is preparing for post-pandemic consumer needs. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.

 

Primary Research

Sometimes doing your own market research is the only way to learn about your potential customers. If this is the case, you may need to conduct focus groups, interviews, surveys, or some other form of data collection. But before you commit time and energy to this kind of research, be sure to try the sources listed in this section.

 

CANSIM | Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database. Information is updated daily. This formerly fee-based service is now available for free.

 

The Daily – Statistics Canada | Premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.