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

• Baked goods stores.
• Bakeries – Commercial.
• Bakeries – Cookies.
• Bakeries – Desert.
• Bakeries – Gluten free.
• Bakeries – Gourmet.
• Bakeries – Manufacturing.
• Bakeries – Retail.
• Bakeries – Specialty.
• Commercial bakery.
• Desert bakery.
• Gluten free bakery.
• Gourmet bakery.
• Retail bakery.
• Retail stores – Baked goods.
• Specialty bakeries.
• 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.

• Delicatessen and Bakery Business Plan - The Bronx Deli and Bakery
• Dessert Bakery Business Plan - Rutabaga Sweets
• Specialty Bakery Business Plan - Morningstar Bakery
• Bakery Business Plan - Jolly's Java and Bakery

 

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.

• Greenland, P. (2022). Custom Cake Baker. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 54, pp. 31-43). Gale. 
• Greenland, P. (2020). Baking Lessons Business. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 48, pp. 1-9). Gale. 
• Greenland, P. (2018). Cupcake Studio Business. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 42, pp. 19-24). Gale. 
• Bread Bakery. (2017). In J. Palmisano (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 39, pp. 35-47). Gale. 
• Moore, C. (2015). Gluten-Free Bakery. In K. B. Mallegg (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 32, pp. 109-116). Gale.

 

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

 

Futurpreneur

A national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Futurpreneur's mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,400 volunteer mentors.

• Bakery Business: Example Business Plan

 

Ontario Business Central

Ontario Business Central supports entrepreneurs and business owners to cultivate ideas and dreams into reality for business start-ups and growth within Canada while providing the easiest, most informative online experience to start a business, whether you are looking at registering or incorporating a business.

• 9 Hot tips – How to Start a Bakery

 

CanadaStartups

CanadaStartups.org is a private organization dedicated to providing small business owners and entrepreneurs with guidance, tools and resources required to start and launch a business in Canada.

• Starting a small business as a Bakery

 

Baking Association of Canada (BAC)

BAC is a national trade association representing retail, in-store and commercial baking companies and allied trades. Their page on Starting a Bakery Business provides a great starting point for information to include in your business plans

 

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.

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 type 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.

• Canada food & drink report - Q1 2023. (2023). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM.
• Canada food & drink report - Q4 2022. (2022). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Broadbent, J. (2023, Jan 19). Canada’s food inflation slows “slightly” in december. Just - Food Global News. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Bakery products market is expected to reach around USD 287.9 billion by 2030, grow at a CAGR of 4.1% during forecast period 2023 to 2030 | data by contrive datum insights pvt ltd. (2023, Jan 20). Financial Services Monitor Worldwide. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Gluten-free bakery market size worth $4.15 billion by 2030%: Grand view research, inc. (2022, Aug 23). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Bakery product manufacturing - quarterly update 5/16/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Global bakery ingredients market to reach $19.2 billion by 2027: AMR: Consumer preference for healthy bakery products, changes in culture & lifestyle, and demand for convenient foods drive the growth of the global bakery ingredients market. europe accounted for the highest market share in 2019, and is expected to maintain its lead position by 2027. the prices for bakery ingredients is expected to rise due to shortage in supply with closedown of manufacturing facilities and disrupted supply chain during the lockdown. (2021, Feb 17). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.

 

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.

• BCC Research. (2022, September). Bakery & Confectionary Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report Code MKB339F). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre.
• BCC Research. (2022, May). Bakery & Confectionary Global Briefing 2022 (Report Code MKB339E). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre. 
• BCC Research. (2022, May). Bread and Bakery Products Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report Code MKB341E). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre.

 

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: Bread & Bakery Product Mfg. (NAICS 31181). (2023). United States Bread & Bakery Product Manufacturing Industry Report, 1–184.
• Barnes Reports: Grocery Stores Industry (NAICS 44511): Product Line: Bakery products baked on premises. (2022). United States Supermarkets & Grocery Stores Product Lines, 1–88.
• Barnes Reports: (NAICS 445291): Baked Goods Stores. (2020). United States Baked Goods Stores Industry Report, 1–196.
• MarketLine Industry Profile: Bakery & Cereals in Canada. (2018). Bakery & Cereals Industry Profile: Canada, 1–37.
• MarketLine Industry Profile: Bakery & Cereals in the United States. (2018). Bakery & Cereals Industry Profile: United States, 1–34.

 

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.

• Bakery product manufacturing - quarterly update 1/30/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. 
• Cookie & cracker manufacturing - quarterly update 1/17/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
• Bakery product manufacturing - quarterly update 12/27/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
• Specialty food stores - quarterly update 12/19/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.

 

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.

• Le, T. (2023, January). Bakery Cafes in the US: Industry Report OD4319. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
• Buchko, M. (2022, September). Specialty Food Stores in Canada: Industry Report 44529CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
• Wood, G. (2022, August). Snack Food Production in Canada: Industry Report 31191CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
• Kanda, S. (2021, December). Bread Production in Canada: Industry Report 31181CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
• DellaCamera, C. (2021, August). Cookie, Cracker & Pasta Production in Canada: Industry Report 31182CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
• Rose, A. (2022, September). Fresh Bread & Bakery Goods Wholesaling in the US: Industry Report OD5876. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
• Koronios, E. (2021, March). Global Bakery Goods Manufacturing: Industry Report C1114-GL. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.

 

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. (2022, May). Food Retail: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Packaged Facts. (2022, May). Food Market Outlook 2022: Inflation, Supply Chains, Food Trends & the Effects on Home Cooking & Grocery Shopping. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, December). Grain-Based Foods: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, February). Bread & Bakery Products: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, January). Food Processing: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.

 

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.

• Specialty eateries - quarterly update 2/13/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• Bakery product manufacturing - quarterly update 1/30/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• Cookie & cracker manufacturing - quarterly update 1/17/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.

 

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.

• Conway, J. (2023, January). Share of Canadians eating sweet baked goods by type 2017. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Conway, J. (2023, January). Factors consumers consider when purchasing sweet baked goods in Canada as of February 2017. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Conway, J. (2023, January). Factors consumers consider when purchasing baked goods in Canada as of 2017. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Bedford, E. (2022, November). Bread and bakery products in Canada - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Wunsch, N. (2022, June). Export value of bread and bakery products from Canada from 2012 to 2021 in million Canadian dollars)* [Chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Wunsch, N. (2022, May). Average retail price for bread in Canada from January 2015 to February 2022 (in Canadian dollars per 675 grams) [Chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Wunsch, N. (2022, May). Number of retail bakeries in Canada as of December 2021, by region [Chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Wunsch, N. (2022, May). Average spend on bread and bakery products per month in Canada as of February 2020*  [Chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Wunsch, N. (2021, July). Sales of bakery products in the United States in 2020, by category (in million U.S. dollars) [Chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Wunsch, N. (2021, July). Unit sales of bakery products in the United States in 2020, by category (in millions) [Chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Wunsch, N. (2020, November). Estimated market volume of bread and bakery products worldwide from 2017 to 2025 (in million tons) [Chart]. 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.

 

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.

• Diaz, C. (2021). The cakes, pastries, and bread trends at US bakeries in 2021. New York: Quartz Media, Inc. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
• Angrisani, C. (2018). Serving a need with single-serve baked goods. Supermarket News. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.

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

Baking Association of Canada (BAC) | BAC is a national trade association representing retail, in-store and commercial baking companies and allied trades. It seeks to empower its members through knowledge transfer and networking. BAC’s newsletter is published 10 times a year and is distributed in Bakers Journal.

Culinary Federation | Canada's largest federally chartered professional chefs' organization with the  goal of uniting chefs and cooks across Canada in a common dedication to professional excellence.

International Associations

American Bakers Association (ABA) | ABA is the voice of wholesale baking in the US. Its mission is to enhance the American bakery industry through public policy advocacy, education, and networking.

​Independent Bakers Association (IBA) | IBA is a national trade association with over 200 family-owned wholesale bakeries and allied industry trades.

Baking Industry Forum (BIF) | BIF is a small group of bakers and suppliers who come together to discuss topics and issues facing the commercial baking industry. The group provides the industry with a strong resource for ideas and expertise based on research and years of experience.

 

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.

Bakers Journal | Canadian magazine that highlights the latest industry trends and success stories in Canada’s bakery industry.

Canadian Grocer | A national publication for Canadian Grocers, the site is regularly updated with information and tips for grocers. Subscribe to their print magazine or view online content.

Baking & Snack | Industry magazine covering the development, production, packaging, and distribution of grain-based products.

bake magazine | bake magazine serves retail, foodservice, and intermediate wholesale businesses, focusing on tips, techniques, and trends designed to build traffic and profits. Follow other successful bakeries to learn their business strategies and operations. 

Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery | Follow the latest trends, category insight, products, ingredients, equipment, technology and packaging information to help grow your business. Archived issues of the e-magazine are available to view. 

Commercial Baking | A quarterly magazine that curates content based on data, trends and innovations in the baking industry. 

Supermarket News | A space for competitive intelligence, news, and information to make smart business decisions. Take a look at the bakery section of the site.

Bakery Business | Bakery Business is a magazine based out of New Zealand presenting fresh, contemporary coverage of this ever-growing market and encompasses all aspects of the bakery sector.

World Bakers | An international website with information on trends, market information, and the latest news on commercially available products. Past magazines are available to view online.

 

Consultant & Other Websites

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | Federal department that is responsible for supporting the growth and development of the agriculture and agri-food sector in Canada. Start by looking at the Sector  Trend Analysis – Baked Goods in Canada and the Sector Trend Analysis - Baked Goods in the United States.

Baking Business | Go-to resource for information on grain-based food industry news, commodity markets, ingredients, processing trends and innovations, publications and more. 

bake magazine | bake magazine serves retail, foodservice, and intermediate wholesale businesses, focusing on tips, techniques, and trends designed to build traffic and profits. Follow other successful bakeries to learn their business strategies and operations.

Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery | Follow the latest trends, category insight, products, ingredients, equipment, technology and packaging information to help grow your business. Take a look at their blog, directories, and webinars.

World Bakers | An international website with information on trends, market information, and the latest news on commercially available products. 

Bakerpedia | Based in Portland, Oregon, USA, BAKERpedia has team members and collaborators around the world. From technical writers to bakery experts, everyone is always thinking of new ways and mediums to share information with you. This site is a wealth of information including articles in the Baking Specialties section based on different pastries and seminars through Baker Academy.

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.

Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.

• Bakers

 

Blogs & Discussion Forums 

Blogs

So Good.. | A biannual magazine aimed at the professionals of world dessert, sweet and savory pastry, ice cream and chocolate. While the magazine is a paid subscription, take a look at the free section of the Pastry Blog and News.

Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery | Follow the latest trends, category insight, products, ingredients, equipment, technology and packaging information to help grow your business. The blog provides perspective, insight and analysis on current trends in the snack food and bakery industries.

The Better Baker Club | Allyson Grant’s was the owner of a cupcake shop and a contestant on The Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. She now runs The Better Baker Club and its blog consisting of advice and tips for bakery entrepreneurs.

Bakerpedia | Based in Portland, Oregon, USA, BAKERpedia has team members and collaborators around the world. From technical writers to bakery experts, everyone is always thinking of new ways and mediums to share information with you. Check out the regularly updated blog.

Podcasts

Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery | The Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery “Ingrained Insights” podcast features insightful interviews with snack and bakery industry leaders on a variety of timely topics.

Pastry Arts Magazine | Join host Tish Boyle, managing editor of Pastry Arts Magazine, as she goes in-depth with prominent pastry and baking figures to explore their journey, lessons and advice for professionals striving for excellence.

Forums

Baking Forums | A baking community with a variety of ability levels from amateur to professional. The forum is separated into categories including types of pastries.

ChefTalk | With over 85,000 members ChefTalk covers a wide range of topics in the cooking and industry. Head over to the Pastries & Baking section for more relevant discussions related to baking.

 

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.

• Fast Stats 2019: British Columbia’s Agriculture, Food, and Seafood Sector

 

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | Provides information and programs for those who raise animals or who grow plants for food, feed or industrial use. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's web resource features a comprehensive collection of agricultural information including economic forecasts and statistics, policies and acts, incentive programs and other services.

• Sector Trend Analysis - Bakery Products in Canada

 

Government of Canada - Business and Industry | The Government of Canada's comprehensive page for business and industry guides you through important information on starting a business. You will find necessary permits and information on tax and regulation, as well as advice on how to protect your intellectual property through copyright or trademark, a primer for selling to the federal government, information on importing and exporting goods, and advice on managing and protecting your business operations. 

• Starting a business 
• Overview of federal government Services for Small Business 
• Importing into Canada
• Baker in Canada

 

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

• Detailed food spending, Canada, regions and provinces

 

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.

• Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing - 3118
• Bread and bakery product manufacturing - 31181
• Food merchant wholesalers - 4131

 

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.

• Food and beverage processing
• Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing - 3118
• Bread and bakery product manufacturing - 31181
• Food merchant wholesalers - 4131

 

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.

• Bakers
• Labourers in food and beverage processing
• Supervisors, food and beverage processing

 

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.

• Drugova, T., & Curtis, K. R. (2022, September 6). Why can't the supply chain keep up with Organic Bakery product demand? understanding Miller, distributor, and Baker Organic Wheat quality perceptions and needs. Retrieved from AgEcon Search.

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.

 

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.

• Food and beverage processing
• Food Safety & Security
• Food Safety Courses

Local health authorities are also great resources in providing regulatory information for the food industry.

• Vancouver Coastal Health - Food Safety Programs
• Vancouver Coastal Health - Food Service Permits
• Fraser Health - Requirements for new food businesses

 

BC Business Registry

British Columbia's online Business Registry is a self-serve application allowing small business owners to complete provincial registrations or incorporations of their business, file name requests on behalf of their business, and store maintenance filings required by British Columbia. Anyone with a BC Registries account may also search for existing businesses and clients, providing access to business information and filings for co-operatives, benefit companies, sole proprietorships, and general partnerships. Use the Business Structures Wizard to help you!

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.

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. 

• Bakeries And Tortilla Manufacturing Industry
• Food Manufacturing Industry
• Other Food Manufacturing Industry

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.

 

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.

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.

Bakery Showcase | Held annually in May, the Bakery Showcase is a two day business-to-business baking event. With relevant education sessions, a trade show floor full of bakery-focused exhibitors, exciting demonstration and Canadian Pizza Summit stages, attendees will have no shortage of ways to connect, learn and be inspired.

Culinary Federation | The Culinary Federation Conference aims to unite chefs and cooks across Canada in a common dedication to professional excellence.

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 (eg. 31181 – Bread and Bakery Product Manufacturing)

 

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.

 

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.

• Canada food & drink report - Q2 2023. (2023). (). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Organic food and beverages market size is estimated to grow by USD 310.08 billion between 2022 and 2027; evolving opportunities with amy's kitchen inc., archer daniels midland co., among others | US bank failure impact 2023 - technavio. (2023, Mar 16). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Bread market to grow by 6.2% Y-O-Y from 2023 to 2027: Rising prominence of in-store bakeries in supermarkets will drive growth -technavio. (2022, Dec 15). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Cakes, pastries, and sweet pies market size is estimated to grow by USD 34.94 billion from 2021 to 2026, market is driven by preference for convenience foods among millennials - technavio. (2022, Dec 07). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Frozen bakery products market size to hit US$ 30,615.3 million, globally, by 2028 at a 5.7% CAGR: Industry trends, demand, share, value, analysis & forecast report | facts & factors. (2023, Jan 12). PR Newswire Europe Including UK Disclose. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.

 

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.

• BCC Research. (2022, September). Bakery & Confectionary Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report Code MKB339F). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, September). Bread And Bakery Products Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report Code MKB341F). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, May). Bakery & Confectionary Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report Code MKB3393). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2022, May). Bread And Bakery Products Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report Code MKB341E). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2021, December). Bakery & Confectionary Global Market Competitor Briefing 2021 (Report Code MKB339D). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2020, November). Bakery & Confectionary Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: Covid 19 Impact and Recovery (Report Code MKB339C). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
• BCC Research. (2020, October). 2021 U.S. Bread & Bakery Product Manufacturing Industry-Industry & Market Report (Report Code MBR1077A). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research 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: Bread & Bakery Product Mfg. (NAICS 31181). (2023). United States Bread & Bakery Product Manufacturing Industry Report, 1–184.
• MarketLine Industry Profile: Bakery & Cereals in Canada. (2022). Bakery & Cereals Industry Profile: Canada, 1–42.
• MarketLine Industry Profile: Bakery & Cereals in North America. (2022). Bakery & Cereals Industry Profile: North America, 1–40.
• Barnes Reports: Grocery Stores Industry (NAICS 44511): Product Line: Bakery products baked on premises. (2022). United States Supermarkets & Grocery Stores Product Lines, 1–88.
• Barnes Reports: (NAICS 445291): Baked Goods Stores. (2020). United States Baked Goods Stores Industry Report, 1–196.
• McTaggart, J. (2022). Global Inspiration: THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR SUPERMARKET BAKERIES TO STEP UP THEIR INTERNATIONAL DESSERT ASSORTMENTS. Progressive Grocer, 101(11), 42–44.

 

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.

• Kanda, S. (2023, February). Bread Production in Canada: Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 31181CA/Manufacturing in Canada. IBISWorld.
• Buchko, M. (2022, September). Specialty Food Stores in Canada: Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 44529CA/Retail Trade in Canada. IBISWorld.
• Le, T. (2023, January). Bakery Cafes in the US: US Specialized Industry Report OD4319/Consumer Goods and SErvices. IBISWorld.
• Diment, D. (2023, January). Bread Production in the US: US Industry (NAICS) Report 31181/Manufacturing. IBISWorld.
• Rose, A. (2022, September). Fresh Bread & Bakery Goods Wholesaling in the US: Report OD5876/Specialized Industry Report OD4319/ Consumer Goods and Services. IBISWorld.

 

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. (2023, February). Home Baking: US Market Trends & Opportunities, 2nd Edition. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, May). Food Retail: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, February). Bread & Bakery Products: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018, September). Bread & Bakery Products: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018, June). Grain and Bakery Innovation: Culinary Trend Tracking Series. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.

 

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.

• Detailed food spending, Canada, regions and provinces

 

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.

• Packaged Facts. (2023, February). Home Baking: US Market Trends & Opportunities, 2nd Edition. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, May). Food Retail: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Packaged Facts. (2022, May). Food Market Outlook 2022: Inflation, Supply Chains, Food Trends & the Effects on Home Cooking & Grocery Shopping. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, December). Grain-Based Foods: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, February). Bread & Bakery Products: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, January). Food Processing: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, February). Bread & Bakery Products: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018, September). Bread & Bakery Products: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018, June). Grain and Bakery Innovation: Culinary Trend Tracking Series. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com Academic.

 

Passport GMID (formerly Global Market Information Database)

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff or faculty member you can access this resource. Please note this is not available for walk-in library users.

Passport GMID, produced by Euromonitor, is an integrated information system providing business intelligence on country economies and demographics, consumers, lifestyles, companies and industries. 

• Mikalauskaite, G. (2022, December 15). Bakery Products in Canada: ISIC 1541. 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.

• WARC Category Intelligence. (2019, March). What’s working in biscuits, breads and cakes. Retrieved from WARC.

 

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.

 

• Conway, J. (2023, January). Share of Canadians eating sweet baked goods by type 2017. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Conway, J. (2023, January). Factors consumers consider when purchasing sweet baked goods in Canada as of February 2017. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Conway, J. (2023, January). Factors consumers consider when purchasing baked goods in Canada as of 2017. Retrieved from Statista database.

 

Public Opinion Polls

Ipsos
Links to Canadian, U.S. and international polls. Includes polls on consumer goods.

• Fairchild, K. (2019, December 3). Measure, Manage & Improve Your Retail Performance. Retrieved from Ipsos.
• (2018, August 22). Why are Millennials skipping the baking mix aisle? Retrieved from Ipsos.

 

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.