Library Databases

Published: May 10, 2022
Updated: May 11, 2022

Library Databases

The Expensive World Of Business Information

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

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

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

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

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



 

UBC Library Business Databases

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

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

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

 

Provincial Library Database Partners

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

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

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

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Mergent Online

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

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

 

BCC Research Centre

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

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

 

Business Source Ultimate

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

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

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

     

 

First Research Industry Profiles

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

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

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

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

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

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

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

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

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

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

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

 

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

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

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

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

 

Statista

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

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

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

 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

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

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

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

 

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

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

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

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