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

• Clothing and dress -- Marketing.
• Clothing trade.
• Fashion designers.
• Fashion merchandising.
• New business enterprises -- Management.
• Small business -- 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.

• Clothing Manufacturer Business Plan
• Clothing Retail Business Plan
• Clothing E-commerce Site Business Plan
• Specialty Clothing Retail Business Plan
• Maternity Clothing Business Plan
• Women's Clothing Boutique Business Plan
• Kid’s Clothing Store Business Plan
• Sports Clothing Retail Shop Business Plan
• Bridal Shop 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.

• Retail Clothing Business Plan - Clothes as Art, Inc. 
• Apparel Manufacturer - TTK Outdoor Apparel Company
• Trademarked Resort Wear Distributor - Muskrat Bluffs Apparel 
• Custom Denim Retailer - Patch Denim Company
• Custom Spiritwear Company - Richmond Athletic Apparel
• Custom Gift and Apparel Business - Andrea’s Custom Gifts 
• Jewelry Making Business Plan - Liberty Lewis Designs 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/ 

 

Business Plan Template And Cash Flow Forecasting Tool
Our friends at Small Business BC provide two valuable tools in one download: the first is a well-structured business plan template that will help communicate what you plan to do, and how you plan to do it, while the second is a spreadsheet you can fill in to, among other things, project costs and expenses using common line items. These tools will set you on your way to being able to present your business plan to funders. 

 

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.

• Locally Produced Retailer - Marketing Plan
• Jewelry Marketing Plan 
• Jewelry Artisan Marketing Plan 
• Locally Produced Clothing Retailer Marketing Plan

 

Other Marketing Plans

• Sample Clothing Line Marketing Plan - Profitable Venture

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.

 

Other 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.

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.

 

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.

 

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

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 Luxury Vegan Men’s Fashion Market By Distribution Channel (E-commerce, Specialty Stores, Departmental Stores, Hypermarket/Supermarket, and Others By Product, By Regional Outlook, Industry Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027: The Global Luxury Vegan Men’s Fashion Market size is expected to reach $29 billion by 2027, rising at a market growth of 8. 7% CAGR during the forecast period. Vegan men’s fashion refers to any clothes, footwear, apparel, and accessories that are free of animal or animal-derived materials like leather, silk, wool, etc. (2022, February 28). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• AI in Fashion Market to reach US $1,639 million by 2025– Global Insights on Top Players, Value Chain Analysis, Key Growth Drivers, Strategic Initiatives and Future Prospect: Adroit Market Research: The growing need to analyze customers buying preferences and future fashion trends are anticipated to create opportunities for the AI in the Fashion market. (2020, July 10). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Global Ethnic Wear Market By End Users, By Distribution Channel, By Regional Outlook, Industry Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027: The Global Ethnic Wear Market size is expected to reach $164. 67 billion by 2027, rising at a market growth of 10. 82% CAGR during the forecast period. Ethnic wear is a term used to define a type of clothing that belongs to a specific nation or group of people.(2022, January 22). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Fashion designers. (2021). Washington: U.S. Superintendent of Documents. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 
• Canada Consumer and Retail Report - Q2 2022. (2021). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.

• Why isn’t more clothing made in Canada? (2021, July 21). Maclean’s Online. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Gerber Technology Sets Up Fashion Industry for Success with New Releases of Key Software Solutions: The February 2021 releases will help the fashion industry recover and conquer the challenges ahead. (2021, March 4). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• A Coalition of Canadian fashion collaborators come together to celebrate Toronto's fashion industry with #SupportTorontoFashion campaign. (2020, September 17). Canada Newswire: Ottawa. 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.

• (2021, December). Specialized Design Services Global Market Competitor Briefing 2021. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/specialized-design-services-global-market-briefing.html  
• (2020, November). Specialized Design Services Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/specialized-design-services-global-market-briefing-mkb212e.html  
• (2021, December). Apparel Manufacturing Global Market Competitor Briefing 2021. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/apparel-manufacturing-market-global-briefing.html 
• (2020, June). Apparel Manufacturing Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/apparel-manufacturing-market-global-briefing-mkb021e.html 
• (2020, October). 2021 U.S. Women's & Girls' Apparel Mfg. Industry-Industry & Market Report. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/barnes-reports/womens-and-girls-apparel-mfg-industry.html 
• (2020, October). 2021 U.S. Men's & Boys' Apparel Mfg. Industry-Industry & Market Report. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/barnes-reports/mens-and-boys-apparel-mfg-industry.html 
• (2021, December). Apparel And Leather Products Global Market Competitor Briefing 2021. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/apparel-and-leather-products-manufacturing-market-global-briefing.html 
• (2020, November). Apparel And Leather Products Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: Covid 19 Impact and Recovery. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/apparel-and-leather-products-manufacturing-market-global-briefing.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.

• Barnes Reports: NAICS 31524: Women’s & Girls’ Apparel Mfg. Industry. (2022). United States Women’s & Girls’ Apparel Manufacturing Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate Database. 
• Barnes Reports: NAICS 31522: Men’s & Boys’ Apparel Mfg. Industry. (2022). United States Men’s & Boys’ Apparel Manufacturing Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate Database. 
• Lica, D., Di Maria, E., & De Marchi, V. (2021). Co-location of R&D and production in fashion industry. Journal of Fashion Marketing & Management, 25(1), 133–152. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate Database. 
• Xue, L., Parker, C. J., & Hart, C. (2020). How to design fashion retail’s virtual reality platforms. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 48(10), 1057–1076. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate Database. 
• Parker-Strak, R., Barnes, L., Studd, R., & Doyle, S. (2020). Disruptive product development for online fast fashion retailers. Journal of Fashion Marketing & Management, 24(3), 517–532. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate Database. 
• Longo, F., Padovano, A., Cimmino, B., & Pinto, P. (2021). Towards a mass customization in the fashion industry: An evolutionary decision aid model for apparel product platform design and optimization. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 162. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Claxton, S., & Kent, A. (2020). The management of sustainable fashion design strategies: An analysis of the designer’s role. Journal of Cleaner Production, 268. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.  
• Donaldson, T. (2022). What Fashion Can Learn From Black History in Getting Black Futures Right. WWD: Women’s Wear Daily, p. 12-12. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Socha, M. (2022). Designer Debuts Will Spice Up Fashion Scene. WWD: Women’s Wear Daily, p. 8-8. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Brydges, T., & Hracs, B. J. (2019). The locational choices and interregional mobilities of creative entrepreneurs within Canada’s fashion system. Regional Studies, 53(4), 517–527. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate Database.

   

 

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.

• (2022) Apparel Manufacturing -  Quarterly Update 4/4/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Apparel Manufacturing Quarterly Update -  1/24/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Apparel Accessories Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 4/18/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Clothing Stores - Quarterly Update 3/28/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection 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.

• Buchko, Matthew. Clothing and Clothing Accessories Wholesaling in Canada. (2021, February). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 41411CA | Wholesale Trade in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Kanda, Samuel. Women’s, Girl’s, and Infants’ Apparel Manufacturing in Canada. (2021, October). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 31524CA | Manufacturing in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• McGrath, Shawn. Men’s and Boy’s’ Apparel Manufacturing in Canada. (2022, January). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 31522CA | Manufacturing in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• O’Connor, Clare. Fashion Designers in the US. (2021, December). US Industry (NAICS) Report 54149 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Thomas, Brigitte. Women’s and Children’s Apparel Wholesaling in the US. (2021, July). US Industry (NAICS) Report 42433 | Wholesale Trade. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Miller, Anna. Online Designer Clothing Sales in the US. (2020, September). US Industry (NAICS) Report OD5436 | Online Retail. 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.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, August). Apparel: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, November). Luggage, Handbags, and Accessories: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, September). Men’s Clothing: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018, May). Leather and Fur Products: United States. 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.

• (2022) Apparel Manufacturing -  Quarterly Update 4/4/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Apparel Manufacturing Quarterly Update -  1/24/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Apparel Accessories Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 4/18/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Clothing Stores - Quarterly Update 3/28/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 

 

Statista

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

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

• Smith, P. (2022, March 10). Forecast sales value of the apparel market in Canada 2020-2024. Apparel Market in Canada. Canadian Apparel Yearbook 2021. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Smith, P. (2022, March 10). Value of apparel market retail sales in Canada from 2020 to 2024. Apparel Market in Canada. Canadian Apparel Yearbook 2021. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Chevalier, Stephanie. (2021, September 27). Share of apparel e-commerce sales in Canada 2020, by distribution channel. Apparel Market in Canada. Trendex 2021 Canadian Yearbook. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Smith, P. (2022, January 13). Average annual household expenditure on clothing and accessories in Canada from 2010 to 2019. StatCan Survey on Household Spending. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Smith, P. (2022, November 1). Dollar sales of the apparel market in Canada by segment 2019. Apparel Market in Canada. Canadian Apparel Yearbook 2020. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Tighe, D. (2021, December 9). Athletic leisure apparel market value in Canada 2020-2024. Apparel Market in Canada. Canadian Apparel Yearbook 2020. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2021). Statista dossier on Apparel Market in Canada. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Statista (2022, March). Luxury Fashion | Consumer Markets. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista (2022, March). Fashion | Digital Markets. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2021, September). Who or what is most likely to influence the clothing items Gen Z and millennials buy in the U.S and Canada 2021? Ypulse. 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.

• Amponsah-Antwi, T. (2021, September). The future of SEO in fashion and beauty. WARC Best Practice. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2018, April). What’s working in clothing and apparel. WARC Category Intelligence. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2021, December). Where and how consumers shop in fashion and luxury goods.. Euromonitor Strategy Briefings.  Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• Bardey, A., Booth, M., Heger, G., and Larsson, J. (2022). Finding yourself in your wardrobe: An exploratory study of lived experiences with a capsule wardrobe. International Journal of Market Research. 64(1), 113-131. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2020). Lenzing patches sustainability knowledge gap in fashion with Tencel™ brand “Feel So Right” Movement. SABRE Awards. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2020). DAC Group: Mobile-First and Hyper-Local – A Strategy for All Seasons. MMA Smarties. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2020).  Behind Burger King’s agile marketing. MMA Strategies. 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.

• Pizzimenti, N. (2021, December 2).Vancouver fashion label A Bronze Age have found success with family: It doesn't get more local or traceable than building your fashion brand with your aunts and cousins.The Globe and Mail (Online). Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Dawson, F. (2022, April 6). Immigrant, Indigenous fashion designers launch from VFW runway. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Freed, J. (2021, April 7). Vancouver's Ko Júbilo is a Canadian designer to watch: With a focus on functionality, Ko Júbilo strips back his work to create heirloom-quality design. The Globe and Mail (Online). Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• (2022, May 2). Stratasys Introduces State-of-the-art 3D Printer for High-end Fashion and Design; J850 TechStyle 3D printer enables haute couture and luxury brands to 3D print on fabric - achieving new levels of creativity in fashion and design. Business Wire. 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.

Canadian Associations

• BC Apparel and Gear |A collective of BC apparel and gear manufacturers and professionals dedicated to reaching growth and sustainability goals for the industry together. Check our their industry events and training opportunities. 

  Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) | Includes industry specific information for Canada, as well as an International Trade section for information on apparel industry import and export procedures, as well as The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing.

  Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) | A non-government, not-for-profit national association, the FDCC works to market fashion designers nationally and globally. The FDCC has built a fashion week that is regarded as an international event showcasing Canadian design.

  Toronto Fashion Incubator | A non-profit organization that supports Canadian fashion designers and entrepreneurs. The site includes a Resources section that includes links on promoting and producing your clothing line.

International Associations

• Fashion Group International, Inc. (FGI) | An international fashion organization that has a blog, webinars and advertises fashion events around the world. 

  Fashion Revolution | An international organization founded in 2013 that supports the world’s largest fashion activism movement, celebrating fashion while advocating for sustainability in the industry as well as fair pay and conditions for garment workers.

 

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.

• Fashion Magazine | Canadian-based magazine that covers the international fashion industry. Features articles on designers, retailers and spa owners. Publishes 10 issues per year.

  Textile World | A magazine covering technologies, applications and industry trends, from raw materials to finished products. Print editions, digital editions, and e-newsletters are free to textile professionals residing in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. 

  LifeStyle Monitor | A trade publication by Cotton Incorporated that analyzes consumer behaviors and attitudes toward the apparel and textile industries. 

  Fashion Guide | An RSS news feed that collects and summarizes the latest news in fashion from newspapers across the world. 

  Just-Style.com | just-style.com is the online news, insight and research portal for the apparel and textile industry.

 

Consultant & Other Websites

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.

• Fashion Designers Profile
• Fabric Designers 
• Costume Designers 

 

Blogs & Podcasts

These blogs and podcasts, mostly centered in the U.S., cover a broad swath of opportunities, challenges, and issues facing the worldwide fashion industry, while allowing prospective fashion designers a peek into the homes, closets, and journeys of fashion icons and the people who make the industry run.

Blogs

On the Runway | A subsidiary of the New York Times, this fashion blog written by Venessa Friedman has a very editorial tone and covers everything related to the fashion industry.

Coveteur | Gives a behind-the-scenes look at the world of fashion and even explores the homes and closets of famous fashionistas.

The Fashion Student Hub | Run as an arm of Mark and Cheryl Gregory’s We Teach Fashion courses, this blog geared toward fashion students advises them on everything from how to run a successful fashion business to how to develop industry skills for free.

The Sartorialist | Scott Schuman’s The Sartorialist interrogates the relationship of fashion to daily life through show-stopping, candid photographs. 

 

Podcasts

The Business of Fashion Podcast | An essential daily resource for fashion creatives, entrepreneurs, and executives in over 200 countries, the Business of Fashion podcast covers topics from psychological debriefs on how fashion consumers buy articles to the fashion industry’s intersection with current events. 

Fashion No Filter | Fashion journalists Camille Charriere and Monica Ainley give you a unique, behind the scenes look at how the fashion industry operates. They cover everything from sustainability in a fashion industry that has become wasteful over the last few decades to honest conversations about race and fashion. 

Fashion Conversations Podcast | Bronwyn Cosgrave’s bi-weekly interview series features lively discussions with artistic luminaries working at the forefront of fashion. Her guests are leading designers, best-selling authors, filmmakers, museum curators and Hollywood stylists, who reveal the secrets to their artistry, thoughts on social issues impacting fashion and the personal challenges they’ve overcome realizing their dreams.

WARDROBE CRISIS with Clare Press | From Vogue Magazine’s former sustainability editor comes a fashion podcast about sustainability, ethical fashion, and making a difference in the world within the industry. Press tackles the issues facing fashion through interviews with international guests, who share their personal stories and journeys through the industry and talk about what causes are near to their hearts within it. Guests have included Japanese-Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa and Ineke Zeldenrust of the Clean Clothes Campaign. 

 

 

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.

• 315- Clothing Manufacturing
• 3152- Cut and Sew Clothing Manufacturing
• 31599 - Clothing accessories and other clothing manufacturing

 

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.

• Expected changes in spending habits during the recovery period

 

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

• Theatre, fashion, exhibit, and other creative designers

WorkBC also publishes engagement reports that give an overview of the history of a sector, skills and labour in the sector, common challenges, and industry organization in the province.

• Performance Apparel Manufacturing - Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Engagement Report

 

Manufacturing BC | Manufacturing BC’s mission is to ensure a strong and competitive manufacturing sector in BC. Find industry issues and policy priorities for the province’s alliance of manufacturers on their website. 

• BC Apparel Sector Labour Market Information Research Report

 

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.

 

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

• Textile Regulations in Canada
• Guide to Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations

 

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.

 

Industry Specific Information

• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act | The purpose of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act is to protect the public by addressing or preventing dangers to human health or safety that are posed by consumer products in Canada. While it applies to all consumer products and authorizes recalls, several sections address garments and apparel. 
• Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations | The Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations are meant to protect consumers against misrepresentation in the labelling and advertising of textile fibre products and to enable consumers to choose textiles on the basis of fibre content.
• Textile Flammability Regulations | Canada’s Textile Flammability Regulations provide information about the legislation in Canada that applies to textile products which may, or may likely, pose a flammability hazard; explain how the legislation applies to textile products and bedding; describe the testing methods for textile products and bedding; and discuss the influences of fibre content, fabric construction and design on the flammability characteristics of the finished textile products.

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.

 

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. 

• Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing

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 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 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.

Statista 

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

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

• Smith, P. (2022, March 11). Number of clothing stores in Canada as of December 2021, by region. Fashion and Accessories. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Smith, P. (2021, November 1). Leading apparel retailers in British Columbia (BC) 2020, by number of outlets. Fashion and Accessories. Trendex North America. Canadian Apparel Yearbook 2021. Retrieved from Statista database. 

 

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.

Vancouver Fashion Week | The second largest fashion week in North America, Vancouver Fashion Week is been dedicated to cultivating the success of both established designers and award-winning emerging designers with a global perspective and highly multicultural approach.  

Apparel and Textile Sourcing Trade Show | The largest international sourcing event, Apparel and Textile Sourcing is focused on the Canadian and North American Apparel, Textile, and Fashion sectors. 2022’s trade show will be held in Toronto and feature over 500 exhibitors from the world's major manufacturing countries supplying the Canadian apparel market with Finished Apparel, Textiles, Fabrics, and Fashion.

 

10Times.com

The largest worldwide online directory of trade fairs, business exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and seminars for various industries. Search for trade shows by industry, country, date, organizer, or venue.

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 diferent 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. To find fashion design data, use 5414 for Specialized Design Services or 541490 for Other Specialized Design Services. You can also use NAICS code 315 for all Clothing Manufacturing options, and arrow results down using 3152 (Cut and Sew Clothing Manufacturing) or 315210 (Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors).

 

 

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 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.

 

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 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.

 

Other Library Resources

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 Luxury Vegan Men’s Fashion Market By Distribution Channel (E-commerce, Specialty Stores, Departmental Stores, Hypermarket/Supermarket, and Others By Product, By Regional Outlook, Industry Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027: The Global Luxury Vegan Men’s Fashion Market size is expected to reach $29 billion by 2027, rising at a market growth of 8. 7% CAGR during the forecast period. Vegan men’s fashion refers to any clothes, footwear, apparel, and accessories that are free of animal or animal-derived materials like leather, silk, wool, etc. (2022, February 28). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• AI in Fashion Market to reach US $1,639 million by 2025– Global Insights on Top Players, Value Chain Analysis, Key Growth Drivers, Strategic Initiatives and Future Prospect: Adroit Market Research: The growing need to analyze customers buying preferences and future fashion trends are anticipated to create opportunities for the AI in the Fashion market. (2020, July 10). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Global Ethnic Wear Market By End Users, By Distribution Channel, By Regional Outlook, Industry Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027: The Global Ethnic Wear Market size is expected to reach $164. 67 billion by 2027, rising at a market growth of 10. 82% CAGR during the forecast period. Ethnic wear is a term used to define a type of clothing that belongs to a specific nation or group of people.(2022, January 22). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Canada Consumer and Retail Report - Q2 2022. (2021). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.

 

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.

• Barnes Reports: NAICS 31524: Women’s & Girls’ Apparel Mfg. Industry. (2022). United States Women’s & Girls’ Apparel Manufacturing Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate Database. 
• Barnes Reports: NAICS 31522: Men’s & Boys’ Apparel Mfg. Industry. (2022). United States Men’s & Boys’ Apparel Manufacturing Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate 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.

• Stambor, Z. (2022, April 15). Lululemon enters the fast-growing online fashion resale market. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Wolff, R. (2022, April 12). Target ventura back into the resale business with ThredUP partnership eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Wolff, R. (2022, April 18). Fast Retailing’s North America business grows as lockdowns stifle demand in China. 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.

• Buchko, Matthew. Clothing and Clothing Accessories Wholesaling in Canada. (2021, February). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 41411CA | Wholesale Trade in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Kanda, Samuel. Women’s, Girl’s, and Infants’ Apparel Manufacturing in Canada. (2021, October). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 31524CA | Manufacturing in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• McGrath, Shawn. Men’s and Boy’s’ Apparel Manufacturing in Canada. (2022, January). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 31522CA | Manufacturing in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• O’Connor, Clare. Fashion Designers in the US. (2021, December). US Industry (NAICS) Report 54149 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Thomas, Brigitte. Women’s and Children’s Apparel Wholesaling in the US. (2021, July). US Industry (NAICS) Report 42433 | Wholesale Trade. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Miller, Anna. Online Designer Clothing Sales in the US. (2020, September). US Industry (NAICS) Report OD5436 | Online Retail. 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.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, August). Apparel: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, November). Luggage, Handbags, and Accessories: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, September). Men’s Clothing: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018, May). Leather and Fur Products: United States. 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.

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.

 

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.

 

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. 

 

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.

Your Target Market

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.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, August). Apparel: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, November). Luggage, Handbags, and Accessories: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, September). Men’s Clothing: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018, May). Leather and Fur Products: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic 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.

• Obolenskaya, C. (2022, April 14). Zara debuts digital-first shopping experience with Madrid storefront opening. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer 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.

• Junming, Z., and Calvert, G. (2022, April 28). Luxury Fashion Marketing: Tapping into Gen Z’s senses and psychology. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.
• (2021, September). What we know about direct-to-consumer brands. WARC Best Practices. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.
• Safian-Demers, E. (2021, October). The post-COVID luxury landscape: Gen Z, digital couture, and retail-tainment.  WARC Exclusive. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.

 

Public Opinion Polls

Roper Center for Public Opinion
Preserves the data from polls conducted by many leading survey organizations for the use of researchers, students, and journalists. Includes a section on how to analyze polls. Only for those affiliated with UBC.

 

Primary Research

The main point of this guide is to introduce you to a wide range of secondary market research resources but keep in mind there is great value in analyzing other information including:

• Advertising, blogs and sales brochures
• Your personal network and employees
• Direct observation, focus groups and interviews with potential customers

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.