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

• Booksellers and Bookselling.
• Bookstores -- Management.
• Independent Bookstores.
• 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.

• Online College Bookstore Business Plan - The College Cafe
• Used Book Store Business Plan - Flyleaf Books
• E-Commerce Retailer Business Plan - Nature’s Candy

 

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.

• Bookstore. (2010). In L. M. Pearce (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 18, pp. 41-47). Gale. 
• Children's Bookstore. (2010). In L. M. Pearce (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 17, pp. 39-43). Gale.
• Enterprises, Z. (2020). Children's Book Gift Box/Subscription Service. In D. Craft (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 46, pp. 45-53). Gale. 
• Rekve, G. (2008). Fantasy Book & Memorabilia Store. In L. M. Pearce (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 14, pp. 29-31). Gale. 

 

SCORE

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

 

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.

• Canada Book Fund: The Government of Canada issued a call for applications from independent book sellers for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 in response to Budget 2021. Check this link for future opportunities.

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.

• “Business matters: Bookshop.org hits 3m profit for indie bookshops, as it pledges to increase online indie sales by 5x times in 5 years.” (2023). Newstex. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Nathalie op, d. B. (2023). Booksellers add TikTok to the toolbox. Publishers Weekly, 270(38), 6. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection
• Susan, K. R., & Josh O’Kane. (2023, Sep 16). Turmoil in Indigo’s C-suite leaves publishers reading between the lines. Report on Business Magazine. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• “Bookstores - Quarterly Update 9/6/2023.” (2023). Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Mottl, J. (2023). Bookseller taps ChatGPT for personalized customer experience. Newstex. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Gregory-Rivera, C. (2023, Jul 29). That cool new bookselling? It's Barnes & Noble. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Loeppky, J. (2022). Canadian booksellers talk shop. Publishers Weekly, 269(40). Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Nawotka, E., Kirch, C., & op de Beek, N. (2023). Indie booksellings wrap up 2022. Publishers Weekly, 270(3), 6. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• “Bookstores - Quarterly Update 3/20/2023.” (2023). Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.

 

Canadian Business and Current Affairs (CBCA)

Provides access to general and specialized business information, current events, and reference materials, including popular and academic journals. Excellent for tracking trends for your specific product or industry.

• “Tok of the town.” (2023, Sep 23). The Economist, 440(9364), pp. 75-76. Retrieved from Canadian Business & Current Affairs Database.
• Alsharif, G. (2023, June 16). Rise of the indies: As big booksellings like Indigo struggle, independents are flourishing by focusing on their communities. Toronto Star. Retrieved from Canadian Business & Current Affairs 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.

• BCC Research. (2022, September). Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report Code MKB426F). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre.
• BCC Research. (2022, May). Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musician Instrument, and Book Stores Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report Code MKB426E). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre.
• BCC Research. (2020, October). 2021 U.S. Book Stores Retailing Industry-Industry & Market Report (Report Code MBR1215A). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre. 
• BCC Research. (2020, November). Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: Covid 19 Impact and Recovery (Report Code MKB426C). 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.

• Adolphus, E. (2023). South Brooklyn Bookstores Adapt. Publishers Weekly, 270(28), 6–8. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• O’Mara, S. L. (2023). Do you know your customer? Don’t take “cookie-cutter” approach. Furniture Today, 47, 28. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Milliot, J. (2023). Bookstore Sales Bounce Back. Publishers Weekly, 270(8), 3. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Nawotka, E., Kirch, C., & op de Beeck, N. (2023). The Year in Bookselling. Publishers Weekly, 270(3), 8–10. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• “Barnes Reports: Book Stores Retailing Industry (NAICS 451211).” (2023). United States Book Stores Retailing Industry Report, 1–184. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• “Barnes Reports: Book Stores Retailing Industry (NAICS 451211).” (2023). Worldwide Book Stores Retailing Industry Report,1-138. 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.

• “Bookstores - quarterly update 9/6/2023.” (2023). Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
• “Book publishers - quarterly update 6/19/2023.” (2023). Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
• “Bookstores - quarterly update 6/5/2023.” (2023). Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
• “Bookstores - quarterly update 3/20/2023.” (2023). 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.

• Maldonado, C. (2023, June). Book Stores in Canada: Industry Report 45131CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
• Brocker, M. (2023, April). Book Stores in the US: Industry Report US 45121. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.

 

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.

• “Powell's Books, Inc.” (2023). Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• “Barnes & Noble, Inc.” (2023). Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• “Internet & mail-order retail - quarterly update 9/6/2023.” (2023). Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• “Bookstores - quarterly update 9/6/2023.” (2023). 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.

• BookNet Canada. (2023, March). Number of books sold in Canada from 2013 to 2022 (in million units) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• BookNet Canada. (2023, March). Revenue from book sales in Canada from 2013 to 2022 (in million Canadian dollars) [Graph]. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• BookNet Canada. (2023, May). Most used sales channels for buying books among consumers in Canada in 2022, by format [Graph]. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• BookNet Canada. (2023, May). Factors which influence the decision to read a specific book in Canada in 2022 [Graph]. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• The Happy Guy Writing Services. (2023, January). Most popular book genres read in the last year among book readers in Canada as December 2022 [Graph]. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Consumer Insights. (2023). E-Book shops: Apple Books customers in Canada: Customer Insights report. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Consumer Insights. (2023). Book stores: Coles shoppers in Canada: Consumer Insights report. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Consumer Insights. (2023). Book stores: Chapters shoppers in Canada: Consumer Insights report. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Consumer Insights. (2023). Book stores: Indigo shoppers in Canada: Consumer Insights report. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Digital Market Insights. (2023, August). Number of digital publishing product users in Canada from 2017 to 2027, by format (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Digital Market Insights. (2023, August). Digital publishing revenue in Canada from 2017 to 2027, by format (in million U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Consumer Insights. (2023). E-Book shops: Amazon customers in Canada: Consumer Insights report. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Statista Consumer Insights. (2023). E-Book shops: Kobo/Rakuten Kobo customers in Canada: Consumer Insights report. Statista. 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.

• “Kinokuniya: Time to Read.” (2023). World Advertising Research Center. Retrieved from WARC database.
• “Writer’s Shop: Open shelves.” (2021). World Advertising Research Center. Retrieved from WARC database.
• “Rakuten Kobo: Kobo’s Bookstore Therapy - A YouTuber’s diagnosis.” (2018). World Advertising Research Center. Retrieved from WARC 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.

• Loeppky, J. (2022). Canadian booksellers talk shop. Publishers Weekly, 269(40) Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• Beattie, J. (2023, April 27). Indie booksellings redefine reader's retail shopping experience - and become part of the community. The Toronto Star. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.

Industry News

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

 

Associations

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

 

British Columbian Associations

• BC Booksellers Association [BCBA]: BCBA offers its members “professional development seminars, circulating industry news, hosting an ongoing internet forum, and Facebook page, maintaining a webpage linking readers to their local indies, sending quarterly e-newsletters to members, and supporting our members on a personal basis.”  

Canadian Associations

• Canadian Independent Booksellers Association [CIBA]: CIBA was founded in 2020 to “offer targeted and responsive support to independent booksellers from coast to coast to coast.” Their membership includes access to business resources, professional development opportunities, and a range of events that link booksellers, authors, publishers, and distributors. 
• Association des libraires du Québec [ALQ]: While ALQ membership is only open to independent booksellers in Québec, their site is rich with resources for anyone who reads/speaks French (or who is interested in selling French-language books!). 
• BookNet Canada [BNC]: [BNC] is a non-profit dedicated to serving the Canadian book industry. Their site includes event listings, a blog, products that may help you on your bookselling journey, and a wealth of industry research.
• Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada [ABAC]: This association is open to “antiquarian booksellers of good character and reputation who have been actively and solely engaged for at least three continuous years in the buying and selling of antiquarian books and manuscripts, and related materials, and whose principal place of business is Canada.” As a result, membership offers you the opportunity to advertise and sell books through ABAC-affiliated directories or through the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers.

International Associations

• American Booksellers Association [ABA]: The ABA supports independent booksellings throughout the United States. Membership is split across four categories, including regular booksellings, used booksellings, online booksellings, and provisional membership for people intending to open a new store. They offer a wide range of benefits, including access to the Book Buyer’s Handbook and an ecommerce platform specifically for independent booksellings.  
• Independent Online Booksellers Association [IOBA]: IOBA membership requires booksellers to meet certain criteria establishing their reputation and professionalism as independent booksellers, which in turn lends credibility to booksellings within the Association. As a member, benefits include “members scholarships for continuing education, a mentorship program, excellent resources for booksellers, and a virtual community for discussions on all aspects of the bookselling profession.”

 

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.

• The Standard: This journal is produced by the Independent Online Booksellers Assocation, and “covers the book world, with a special focus on the online used, out-of-print, and collectible bookselling markets.”
• Bookselling News | Publishers Weekly: This subsection of Publishers Weekly focuses exclusively on bookselling, though the entire magazine may be relevant for keeping up to date with the book industry more broadly.
• The Bookseller: This London-based magazine has been in operation since 1858! They describe themselves as “the incisive and independent source of business intelligence and analysis for the book trade.”  
• Quill and Quire: This magazine focuses specifically on the Canadian book trade, publishing 10 times per year. Their website hosts free content, while the full magazine requires a paid subscription.
• Bookselling This Week: Published by the ABA, this free weekly newsletter contains the latest news affecting booksellers and the bookselling industry.

 

Consultant & Other Websites

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

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

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

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.

• Bookstore Consulting
• The Independent Bookseller
• Professional Booksellers School   

 

Blogs & Podcasts

• BookNet Canada: Podcast | BookNet Canada covers “the latest on book publishing, data, retail, and technology.” The podcast is produced by its namesake organization, which is “a non-profit organization that develops technology, standards, and education to serve the Canadian book industry.”
• BookNet Canada: Blog | In addition to their regular podcast, BookNet Canada runs a blog that shares industry news.
• The Bookshop Chronicles | This podcast is hosted by an Edmontonian bookselling owner, and explores literature alongside the ins-and-outs of running an independent bookselling. 
• ABA News | ABA News is run by the American Booksellers Association, and features the latest industry news from book reviews to bestsellers lists to practical tips for booksellers. They also feature a free weekly newsletter so that you can receive posts directly to your inbox. 
• The Independent Bookseller | The Independent Bookseller is a website that collates resources, events, and other news related to running an independent bookselling. Although they don’t have a front-facing blog, you can sign up for weekly newsletters that round up all of their latest content (see a preview here) or follow them on Facebook, where they share links for direct access to each issue. 
• semi-prose | semi-prose is a podcast produced by Penguin Random House Canada, featuring conversations about new Canadian books. 

 

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.

 

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 

 

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

• Consumer Price Index, annual average, not seasonally adjusted
• Retail services price index, percentage change, quarterly 

 

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.

• Book stores and news dealers - 45131
• Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores - 451
• Electronic shopping and mail-order houses - 45411
• Retail trade - 44-45

 

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.

• Key Small Business Statistics 2022
• SME Profile: Rural enterprises in Canada  

 

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.

• Retail trade, July 2023 
• Family spending on children in Canada
• Book publishing industry, 2020
• Outlook of rural businesses, second quarter 2023 

 

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

• Retail Trade 

 

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

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.

 

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.

• Kinder Books
• Sea & Summit Bookshop
• Bailey Books

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. 

• Mulberry Bush Bookstore Company Profile 
• Once Upon a Bookstore Company Profile
• Bookingham Palace Bookstore Company Profile  
• Indigo Books & Music Inc Company Profile  
   

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.

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 (e.g., 451310)

 

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.

• “Bookstores - Quarterly Update 9/6/2023.” (2023). Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• “Bookstores - Quarterly Update 3/20/2023.” (2023). Mergent. 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, May). Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musician Instrument, and Book Stores Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report Code MKB426E). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre.
• BCC Research. (2022, September). Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report Code MKB426F). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre.
• BCC Research. (2020, October). 2021 U.S. Book Stores Retailing Industry-Industry & Market Report (Report Code MBR1215A). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre. 
• BCC Research. (2020, November). Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: Covid 19 Impact and Recovery (Report Code MKB426C). 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.

• Nawotka, E., Kirch, C., & op de Beeck, N. (2023). The Year in Bookselling. Publishers Weekly, 270(3), 8–10.
• “Barnes Reports: Book Stores Retailing Industry (NAICS 451211).” (2023). United States Book Stores Retailing Industry Report. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
• “Barnes Reports: Book Stores Retailing Industry (NAICS 451211).” (2023). Worldwide Book Stores Retailing Industry Report.  Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.

 

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.

• Feger, A. (2023, August 15). What brands can learn from Barnes & Noble’s reinvention. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Stambor, Z. (2023, February 21). Barnes & Noble revamps its membership program to get a better read on its customers. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 
• Feger, A. (2022, July 27). Behind Booktok’s popularity. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Lebow, S. (2022, December 15). Amazon holds on to 80% of the books, music, and video market online. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 
• Insider Intelligence. (2023, June). Retail & Ecommerce Sales, Canada. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 
• Insider Intelligence. (2023, June). Canada Retail Ecommerce Sales, by Product Category. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Insider Intelligence. (2023, June). Canada Retail Sales, by Product Category. 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.

• Maldonado, C. (2023, June). Book Stores in Canada: Industry Report 45131CA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
• Brocker, M. (2023, April). Book Stores in the US: Industry Report US 45121. 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). Books: United States. Retrieved from MarketResearch.com 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.

• Consumer Price Index, annual average, not seasonally adjusted

 

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.

• Family spending on children in Canada

 

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.

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. (2023, February 21). Barnes & Noble revamps its membership program to get a better read on its customers. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 
• Feger, A. (2022, July 27). Behind Booktok’s popularity. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Lebow, S., Canaves, S., & Stambor, Z. (2023, October 4). Reimagining Retail: What makes you need and want to visit a store, and the most must-visit store experiences [Audio podcast]. Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail. Retrieved from eMarketer database.

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. 

• Passport GMID. (2023, June 27). Consumer Values and Behaviour in Canada: Country Report. Passport GMID. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Passport GMID. (2023, June 27). Consumer Lifestyles in Canada: Country Report. Passport GMID. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Passport GMID. (2023, June 27). Consumer Types in Canada: Country Report. Passport GMID. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Passport GMID. (2022, July 28). Megatrends in Canada: Country Report. Passport GMID. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.

 

Public Opinion Polls

Ipsos

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

• Silverstein, K. (2023, September 22). Retail, food, and beverage: Essential data and insights. Ipsos. Retrieved from Ipsos.
• Gwiasda, G. (2023, February 21). Turbulent Times, Tighter Pocket Books: Enhancing Value Without Dropping Prices. Ipsos. Retrieved from Ipsos.
• Modeski, M. (2022, December 2). Holiday Shopping 2022: Mixed feelings as consumers are anxious but eager to celebrate. Ipsos. 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.

• Family spending on children in Canada