Library Databases

Published: November 17, 2022

Updated: November 18, 2022

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.

Landscaping services - quarterly update 5/2/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
Landscaping and gardening services market size to grow by USD 6.60 bn |BrightView holdings inc. and chapel valley landscape co. emerge as key contributors |Technavio. (2022, May 24). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
FireSmart™ BC launches landscaping hub: Landscaping guide and plant program available in garden centres across the province. (2022, Apr 19). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
Lawn & garden equipment market CAGR of 7.1% by 2028; improved business agility and increasing operational efficiency to aid growth: Fortune business insights™. (2022, Mar 10). Financial Services Monitor Worldwide. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
Global powered outdoor equipment market to reach 136.6 million units by 2026. (2022, Mar 21). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
Garden hand tools market size to reach revenues of USD 21.53 billion by 2026 - arizton. (2021, Sep 27). PR Newswire Europe Including UK Disclose. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
The global walk-behind lawn mower market is expected to reach $12.3 billion by 2027. rising concept of landscaping propelling the market growth. arizton: The global walk-behind lawn mowers market was valued at $9 billion and is expected to reach $12.3 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%. (2022, Apr 21). 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.

(2022 May). Building Material And Garden Equipment And Supplies Dealers Market Global Briefing 2022. BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
(2022 May). Agricultural Implement Market Global Briefing 2022. BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
(2020 June). Building Material and Garden Equipment And Supplies Dealers Market Global Briefing 2020: Covid 19 Impact and Recovery. 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: (NAICS 54132): Landscape Architectural Services Industry. (2021). United States Landscape Architectural Services Industry Report, 1–196.
Barnes Reports: (NAICS 54132): Landscape Architectural Services Industry. (2020). United States Landscape Architectural Services Industry Report, 1–196.
Barnes Reports: Grocery Stores Industry (NAICS 44511): Product Line: Lawn, garden, & farm equipment & supplies. (2022). United States Supermarkets & Grocery Stores Product Lines, 1–88.

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.

Landscaping services - quarterly update 5/2/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
2022 worldwide landscape architectural services industry-industry & market report. (2021). (). Bonita Springs: Barnes Reports. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
Seid, D. (2022, Jun 12). Unknown landscape: Lawn care companies coping with unprecedented costs. TCA Regional News. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
Donato, S. (2021, Summer). Best green hedges - growing in spite of the pandemic. Ottawa Life Magazine, 23, 35. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM 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.

McGrath, S. (2021). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 56173CA / Administration, Business SUpport & Waste Management Services: Landscaping Services in Canada. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Kanada, S. (2021). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 44421CA / Retail Trade in Canada: Lawn & Outdoor Equipment Stores in Canada. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Diment, D. (2022). US Industry (NAICS) Report 56173 / Administration, Business Support & Waste Management Services: Landscaping Services in the US. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Diment, D. (2022). US Specialized Industry Report OD6064 / Consumer Goods and Services: Tree Trimming Services. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld 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. (2021, August). Landscaping Services: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, July). Landscaping Products: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, June). Plants, Trees, & Shrubbery: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, May). Decorative Landscaping 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.

Landscaping services - quarterly update 5/2/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection Retrieved.
Garden centers & farm supply stores - quarterly update 6/13/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
Nursery & floriculture production - quarterly update 5/16/2022. (2022). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
2017 U.S. landscape architectural services industry-industry & market report. (2016). Bonita Springs: Barnes Reports. 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.

Statista Research Department. (2022, January 11). Market size of landscaping services in Canada from 2010 to 2020 with a forecast for 2021. Retrieved from Statista database.
Simionato, C. (2022, February 8). Monthly retail sales of home lawn and garden equipment and supplies in Canada from 2019 to 2021. Retrieved from Statista database.
Simionato, C. (2022, June 8). Sales of garden nursery products in Canada in 2021, by province. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2022, January 11). Leading landscape companies in mowing and maintenance services in the U.S. in 2020, by revenue. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2022, January 11). Primary business of landscape companies in the U.S. 2020. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2022, January 11). Annual revenue of U.S. Lawns between 2015 and 2020. Retrieved from Statista database.
Lock, S.. (2021, November 16). Average spend per household on lawn care and gardening activities in the United States from 2009 to 2017. Retrieved from Statista database.

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

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

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

(2021, January). Competitor strategies in home and garden. Euromonitor Strategy Briefings. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.
(2020, December). Shopping reinvented in home and garden. Euromonitor Strategy Briefings. 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.

A garden's early summer to-do list. (2022, Jun 25). Toronto Star. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
Leonowicz, U. (2022, Jun 18). A living home. Montreal Gazette. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
Rethinking their green lawn as a food source, some gardeners turn to 'foodscaping'. (2022). Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
Gerard, N. (2022, July 3). Rising fertilizer prices hitting CT farms, parks and gardens. Westport News. Retrieved from Factiva.