Guides: BMKT 161: Competitive Research

Competitive Research

"Competition: Alternative firms that could provide a product to satisy a specific market's needs." - Kerin, R., Edwards, G., Tibbo, G. (2005). Marketing: The core. McGraw-Hill Ryerson; Toronto. (p. 65).

ASK:

Who are the direct and/or indirect competitors of business/product/service that I am researching?
What are the leading companies in the business/product/service area that I am researching?
What other businesses are operating in the geographic area?

Lists & Rankings

Various media and organizations will list and rank companies according to certain topics, metrics, and surveys.

Business in Vancouver: 2020 Lists by Category
Top 100 fastest growing companies in BC.
BC's Top Employers 2020
This special designation recognizes the British Columbia employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.
Forbes Magazine: Lists
Fortune: Rankings
Growth 500: Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies

Annual Reports

Annual reports from incorporated (public) companies are distributed to shareholders and, generally speaking, are required by regulations. Typically annual reports include audited finanical statements and information on the company's performance.

SEDAR (System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval)
"www.sedar.com is the official site that provides access to most public securities documents and information filed by public companies and investment funds with the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) "
EDGAR
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions' portal to public company filings.
Show full description...Hide full description...
Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system

TIP: Look for the MD&A (Management Discussion & Analysis) in annual reports. MD&As will provide "information to the reader that management believes is useful in understanding the company’s operating results, cash flows, and financial condition" (Full Disclosure Background, 2006).

Directories

Use directories to identify companies within industries, and to learn more about the companies such as locations, histories, and employees, officers, and directors.

Online:

Canadian Trade Index
"First published in 1900 as Canada's original and only industrial directory, Canadian Trade Index has grown to become Canada's leading online industrial sourcing tool for manufacturers, exporters, distributors and service companies."
Frasers Industrial Business Directory
Frasers provides information on Canadian industrial wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors and their products and services.
Government of Canada Directories
Find registered Canadian suppliers, competitors, company incorporation statuses.
Indigenous Business Directory
The Indigenous Business Directory is designed to assist and support Indigenous businesses in the pursuit of business opportunities, including federal procurement.