RESEARCH CONSULTANT

Canadian Retail & Wholesale Sector

The following is a list of key resources for researching the Canadian Retail & Wholesale sector. The emphasis is on free and low cost information.

Industry Performance

Industry benchmarks are the "reality check" for any business venture. They identify the financial performance of firms already active in your sector.

Statistics Canada's Financial Performance Indicators provide the essential financial information you need to analyze your sector and complete your business plan.

They include key financial ratios and standardized balance sheets.

For more information and immediate downloads see our
Stats Link Canada web site.

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Polls, Surveys, Studies & Reports

Publicly released surveys and reports provide you with access to specific detailed information that would not otherwise be available to researchers with limited budgets. This includes insight into market trends, industry outlooks, sector performance.

The Stats Link Canada database tracks the latest government and non-government statistical information and organizes it by major sectors and sub-sectors. The references are sourced from the countries leading business and news outlets.

Use the FREE TRIAL option to find out if any data relevant to your research needs has been released.

Search Stats Link Canada - FREE TRIAL

Title
Source
Description
Sector
Location

SEARCH HELP

Enter words or phrases in one or more fields.
Narrow your search by selecting specific sectors or subsectors
Browse an entire sector or subsector by leaving all other search fields blank.
Results are listed from the most current data release.

NB: Search results will appear in a new window.

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Websites

The following is a list of web sites which contain free Canadian statistics related to the Retail & Wholesale trade.

When you click on a link you will be taken to a GDSourcing Site Summary which will describe the type of data available at the web site.

To access the data referenced click on the links provided.

Select a Website

(Opens in new window)

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Competitors, Clients & Suppliers

It is vital you understand who your competitors are and what are their strengths.

The best way to find your toughest competitors it to talk to your clients and customers directly. Who do they use already? Where would they go if they wanted to the product or service you are providing?

Another source for locating competitors is business directories and buyers guides. Below is a list of online resources to help you identify your competitors. They will also be helpful resources for identifying suppliers and business clients.

Do not forget to consult the various business directories available at your local library or business resource centre.

Once you have a list of competitors, clients and/or suppliers keyword search them online and in a periodical database. This will help you to determine their public image and marketing strategy (i.e. how they present themselves to their market)

You can access periodical databases through your local public library web site. All you need it a valid public library card.

Click here to find your local public library website.

Select a Company Directory

NB: Do not consider the listings in any of the above directories to be
exhaustive. Conduct your own primary research to identify other companies that may not be listed.

QueryDesk

If you require further research assistance, please use our QueryDesk

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