Starting a Convenience Store

This document is intended to provide an understanding of potential license, permit or registration requirements when considering the establishment of a convenience store in Québec. This Info-Guide has been prepared by the Info entrepreneurs service from information provided by the Canada Business Service Centres and contains a series of possible steps and issues to consider in carrying out your project. While most of your questions will be answered in this document, it is not intended to be exhaustive. Further information can be obtained by contacting Info entreprises at 514 496-4636, Ressources Entreprises at 418 649-4636 or across the province at 1-800-322-4636.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.  Industry overview
     1.1  Types of operation
     1.2  Choosing your location
     1.3  Layout and Design
     1.4  Selecting your inventory
     1.5  Selecting suppliers
2.  Managing your operation
      2.1  Insurance
      2.2  Marketing / Advertising
      2.3  Accounting / Bookkeeping
      2.4  Selecting professional services
      2.5  Furnishings and Equipment
      2.6 Setting up a pay system
      2.7  Setting the right price
      2.8  Cost control
3.   Licenses, Permits Certificates and Regulations
      3.1   Licences
      3.2   Permits
      3.3   Certificates
      3.4   Regulations
4.   Associations/Organisations
5.   Resources

BASICS TO GETTNG STARTED

Before proceeding, reference should be made to the Info-Guide – Business Start-Up for information on the steps involved in establishing a new business.

Starting a business can be a rewarding undertaking, but it comes with its challenges. Before starting a business in Québec, it is wise to do your research. You should also make sure you are suited for entrepreneurship, and understand that significant effort may be required. As such, you should thoroughly enjoy the field you are getting into, and you must believe in your product or service as it may consume much of your time, especially in the start-up phase. There are many issues to consider such as regulations, financing, taxation, managing your business, advertising, and much more. For more information, see the document Checklists for Going Into Business.

1. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Convenience stores offer quick and friendly service, handy locations, a variety of merchandise, and extended hours of operation. This publication focuses on starting an independent convenience store. However, many convenience stores are franchise operations.

1.1 Types of Operation

Convenience Store: a small store that is open every day until late evening or 24 hours a day, and specializes in selling basic food items, such as milk and bread, and a variety of small dry-goods items.
Convenience Store/Gas Station: a convenience store combined with a place for supplying motor vehicles with gasoline, motor oil, water, etc.
Franchise: the privilege, often exclusive, of selling the products of a manufacturer or providing a company's service in a given area.

Franchise
As a potential business owner, you may be considering buying an existing or opening a new franchised store. As a franchisee, you enjoy the benefits of "Goodwill" that the name and reputation of the franchise already possesses. You also have, in many cases, the support of the parent company in issues such as location selection, management training, free advertising and support during the start-up phase of your operation. Also you have the advantage of capitalizing on an already profitable concept. However, as a franchisee, you must pay the franchisor for the benefits provided, and these costs come off the top of your sales revenue and may add up to more than 10%. Also your freedom is somewhat restricted when you own a franchise. You must adhere to the standards set by the franchise. For further information, consult the document Checklists for Franchisees

1.2 Choosing your location

Choosing a location for your store may be your single most important decision. Do your research. In particular, consider these factors:

Population: The Grocery Trade Association states that to sustain a convenience store, between 500 and 1 000 people must live within a one-mile radius. If people have to travel more than a mile, they are more likely to go to a supermarket for a major shopping trip. Also check an area's future development plans and projected growth rates.
Competition: Although a convenience store's competition is mostly from other convenience store, it can also come from supermarkets. Study all competitors to see if the local market can support another operation.
Traffic: Impulse purchases make up a good percentage of convenience store sales, so high volumes of pedestrian and vehicle traffic passing your store is critical. Try to locate near schools, parks, sporting facilities and other businesses to increase traffic.

1.3 Layout and Design

Before ordering or installing equipment, design your store's layout:

• keep it simple to keep costs down;
• reserve the most space for products you will sell the most;
• place all products where customers can see and reach them;
• position products with the highest profit margins at eye-level;
• place high-demand products such as bread and milk at the back of the store to increase traffic.

This encourages impulse purchases which can make up to 70% of your sales.

1.4 Selecting your inventory

Your product mix depends on your location and your target market's needs.

For example, a convenience store in a resort area will likely stock a more complete line of goods. Wherever your location, you must be able to estimate product demand. The Convenience Store Journal suggests a typical breakdown:

Groceries	26%	Cookies/Snacks	7%	Ice Cream	4%	Candy	3%
Soft Drinks	12%	Frozen Snacks	5%	Health/Beauty	4%	Meat	2%
Dairy	10%	Non-foods	5%	Produce	3%	Tobacco	2%
Deli Items	7%	Magazines	5%	Baked Goods	3%	Other	2%

Keep ongoing, accurate inventory records in order to continually monitor the ratio between your stock and actual sales. This helps to minimize lost sales and money tied up in inventory, as well as determine the demand for different products.

1.5 Selecting suppliers

General line wholesalers: Join a cooperative of independent store owners to purchase in groups to gain volume discounts. Approximately 25% of Canadian grocery stores belong to such cooperatives which give advice in merchandising, management and finance.

Speciality wholesalers: Bakeries, delis and produce suppliers often offer lower prices than general line wholesalers. They may also stock shelves and help you estimate demand.

Service merchandisers:  Non-food items, such as health/beauty aids, housewares and magazines are sold by service merchandisers. They can also deliver, stock shelves, price items and help estimate demand.

For further information, see the document  Profit by Your Wholesaler's Services

2. MANAGING YOUR OPERATION

2.1 Insurance

Insurance needs for businesses vary greatly. It is best to choose an insurance agent or broker familiar with your size of business and, in particular, an agent familiar with your type of operation. If you don't have an insurance agent, it could be a wise decision to ask other business owners in your area to recommend one.

The following list is included to remind you not to overlook the complex areas of business insurance. It is best, however, to discuss your specific requirements with your insurance agent.
Basic insurance:

• fire insurance (extended coverage on buildings and contents);
• liability insurance (depending on type of business);
• burglary protection (theft coverage);
• dishonesty insurance (covers thefts by employees).

2.2 Marketing / Advertising

Word-of-mouth advertising and good public relations are often the best ways of promoting a convenience store. Depending on your market and its size, also consider flyers, newspapers (especially for holiday promotions), radio, TV, the business pages of the telephone book and the Internet. Also bear in mind that a satisfied customer is good advertising.

• You should spend about 1% of gross sales on advertising to your target market;
• Install a brightly-lit sign to attract drive-by traffic;
• Create eye-catching window displays and point-of-purchase displays;
• Deliver or mail flyers to neighbourhood homes and place ads in local newspapers. Stress convenience, accessibility and extended hours;
• Offer additional convenience services such as fast food, postal services or video rentals. Consider installing a gasoline pump.

For more information regarding advertising and marketing, see the following documents:
- Signs and Your Business
- Plan Your Advertising Budget
- Advertising Do's and Don'ts
- Ways to Promote Your Product or Service
- Marketing Plan Outline

The Online Small Business Workshop - Marketing Basics covers the basics from developing your customer profile to promoting your business.

The federal Competition Act  governs misleading advertising and deceptive marketing practices for all businesses in Canada. The Act defines which marketing practices are illegal and the process of complaint investigation. For more information, consult the Competition Act - Misleading Advertising and Deceptive Marketing Practices, administered by Industry Canada or visit the Web site at: http://cb-bc.gc.ca/epic/internet/incb-bc.nsf/en/Home.

Market Research
Successful businesses have extensive knowledge about their customers and their competitors. Acquiring accurate and specific information about your customers and competitors is a critical first step in market investigation and development of a marketing plan. For more information, consult the document  Guide to Market Research and Analysis. 

In developing a market plan, your primary functions are to understand the needs and desires of your customer, select or develop a product or service that will meet customer needs, develop promotional material that will make the customer aware and ensure product or service delivery.

2.3 Accounting / Bookkeeping

A good record keeping system should be simple to use, easy to understand, reliable, accurate, consistent and designed to provide information on a timely basis.

Note: All staff working with cash should be trained to recognize counterfeit currency.

The legal requirement concerning financial records specify only that they be a permanent, accurate and complete record of your daily income and expenses. There are many types of record books and bookkeeping systems available. For example:

• double entry bookkeeping;
• commercial bookkeeping systems;
• one-write systems;
• computerized systems;
• single entry bookkeeping.

2.4 Selecting professional services

The use of professional services is essential to the success of a small business. Professionals can provide knowledge and expertise in the areas where you may have little. They can round out your management team to ensure your business is operating efficiently. As an entrepreneur, there are four main areas of professional services with which you may consult: lawyer, insurance broker, accountant and banker.

Dealing With Your Banker and Other Lenders - Canada Business Service Centres (CBSCs)
For tips and pointers on dealing with your bank, consult the document   Dealing With Your Banker & Other Lenders

2.5 Furnishings and Equipment

There will be certain equipment and furniture you will need in your place of business which will allow you to perform your services. List that equipment and its cost to you. An important factor to consider, when choosing equipment, is the after-sales service and repair, and their afford ability.

Used Equipment: Consider buying used equipment as a cost-saving measure. Sources of used equipment could be a convenience store that is closing or dealers in second-hand equipment. The drawback to this approach is that, often, there are no guarantees with the purchase.
Leasing Equipment: Another alternative is to lease equipment to help keep start-up costs down.

2.6 Setting up a pay system

Pay administration is a management tool that enables you to control personnel cost, increase employee morale, and reduce workforce turnover.

Commission des normes du travail
Useful uinformation minimum wages, payment, tips, leaves,... For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.cnt.gouv.qc.ca/en/index.asp

2.7 Setting the right price

Setting the right price can influence the quantities of various items that consumers will buy, which in turn affects the total revenue and the profit in the store. In the end, the right price for the product is the price that the consumer is willing to pay for it. Hence, correct pricing decisions are a key to successful retail management.

Prices should allow for sufficient gross profit to cover overhead expenses and a reasonable net profit. Choose one of two pricing methods: markup (based on cost); or margin (based on selling price).

Traditionally, convenience stores have had markups of approximately 33% to 67%, margins of 25% to 40%. Convenience stores simply cannot buy in large volumes like superstores, so do not attempt to offer lower prices. Instead, stress service and convenience.

2.8 Cost control

You must have procedures for controlling inventory and costs. Ask people in your industry for information about procedures for:
Purchasing:  Most of the time, purchasing is done over the telephone, by fax, or online. Therefore, often no contract is signed between the purchaser and the supplier; it is essential that you choose your supplier carefully.

Receiving: Check all deliveries against the Purchasing and Receiving Form, in three ways: quantity, price and quality (that is, temperature: frozen goods must be frozen); packaging should be intact. Make sure specifications are met. Careful recording will show short shipments, price variations and weight differences.

Budgeting and Projecting: Establish a cash budget and maintain cash flow projections on a continual basis.

Storage: Ensure refrigerated and frozen products are quickly placed in a cold storage. Storage temperature for dry goods (between 10-21^oC), frozen goods (-18^oC or less) and refrigerated goods. Rotate your stock to ensure that oldest items are used first before the new stock.

Profit Wathcing
Making a profit is the most important -- some might say the only objective of a business. Profit measures success. It can be defined simply: revenues - expenses = profit. So, to increase profits you must raise revenues, lower expenses, or both. To make improvements you must know what's really going on financially at all times. For more information, consult the document Checklist for Profit Watching.

You can find additional information on managing your operations, by viewing our index of Popular Business Topics

3. LICENSES, PERMITS, CERTIFICATES AND REGULATIONS

One area of rules and regulations that all new businesses must comply with is that of licenses, permits and regulations. When creating a business, you must contact the municipality involved, along with the provincial/territorial and federal governments.

Each municipal government has the authority to issue its own business licenses within its jurisdiction. Since there is no uniformity throughout the country regarding municipal licenses for businesses, you should consult with the appropriate local officials to determine whether your business will be affected by local regulations and licensing requirements. Businesses (including home-based businesses) must also meet the zoning by-laws that control property uses in their municipalities.

Examples of licenses, permits, certificates and regulations that could apply to you when starting your convenience store may include, but are not limited to:

3.1 Licenses

Municipal business license
If you wish to open a convenience store, you must check whether it is permitted under your municipality's zoning bylaws. Making inquiries in this regard is important because bylaws vary from one municipality to another.  For the location and telephone number of City Hall in your municipality, consult the Quebec municipality directory published by the ministère des Affaires municipales, Sport et Loisir du Québec. For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.mamr.gouv.qc.ca/repert
oire_mun/repertoire/repertoi.asp (In French only)

Music license
A license is required to perform music in a public setting such as a convenience store. To find out whether you need a license, consult the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. Tariff rates exist for, among others, background music. For further information, call 514 844-8377, 1-800-797-6226 or visit the Web site at http://www.socan.ca/jsp/en/music_use
rs/do_you_need_licence.jsp

Lottery license
Video lottery machines: licenses - Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ)
Moratorium: the RACJ has suspended the issue of site operator licenses from March 15, 2004 to March 14, 2005. For further information, call 514 873-3577, 418 643-7667, 1-800-363-0320 visit the Web site at
http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/aff
iche_doc.cgi?dossier=7020&table=0& (In French only)

Liquor licence
Duties and taxes on alcoholic beverages - Ministère du Revenu du Québec
Alcoholic beverages are taxed according to the location where they are consumed. For alcoholic beverages sold for  Alcoholic beverages sold for home consumption are subject to a special tax in addition to the GST and PST, generally representing $0.40 per litre for beer and $0.89 per litre for other alcoholic beverages. The cost of the license is $30.00. For further information, call 514 873-2600, 1-866-440-2500 for Montréal, 418 659-6299, 1-800-267-6299 for Québec or visit the Web site at
http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/affi
che_doc.cgi?dossier=4030&table=0& (In French only)

3.2 Permits

Vendor permit
Sole proprietorship: striking off/revocation of striking off - Registraire des entreprises (REQ)
Striking off a sole proprietorship means putting an end to its activities (its existence) by removing its registration from the REQ register of sole proprietorships, companies and legal persons. The sale may be the closure of the company or the operation of another business or the acquisition of a new one. For further information, call 418 643-3625, 1-888-291-4443 or visit the Web site at
http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/affic
he_doc.cgi?dossier=8415&table=0& (In French only)

Building permit
Declaration of construction work: public buildings - Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ)
The target clientele is contractors and builder-owners. The following work must be declared: foundation, erection, renovation, alteration and demolition. The declaration must be sent no later than the 20th day of the month following the start of work. For further information, call 450 680-6380, 1-800-361-9252 for Montréal, 418 643-7150, 1-800-463-2221 for Québec or visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/a
ffiche_doc.cgi?dossier=4253&table=0& (In French only)

Tobacco permit
Tobacco and fuel: certificate, permit and stickers - Ministère du Revenu du Québec
Under the Tobacco Tax Act, any person or business exercising tobacco-related activities in Quebec must have a permit. For further information, call 514 873-2600, 1-866-440-2500 for Montréal, 418 659-6299, 1-800-627-6299 for Québec or visit the Web site at
http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/affi
che_doc.cgi?dossier=4734&table=0& (In French only)

Food preparation permit
Permit required for food preparation - Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ)
A food preparation permit is valid for a period of 12 months. Le permis pour maintenir des aliments chauds ou froids est de 150 $. For further information, call 418 380-2130, 1-800-463-6210 or visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/aff
iche_doc.cgi?dossier=239&table=0& (In French only)

Petroleum products license and equipment
This permit is for high-risk petroleum storage tanks owned, for example, by gas station operators.  For further information, call 1-800-267-1420 or visit the Web site at http://www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/dirLoisReglementsCodes/dirCodeCons
truction/chapitreEquipementPetroliers/Permis/permis.asp (In French only)

Video materials permit
Permit: film and videocassettes: distribution, film presentation, retail - Régie du cinéma
No one can possess, sell, rent, lend or exchange copies of films for commercial purposes without holding a distributor's permit. File analysis fee: $28. General distribution permit: $440. For further information, call 514 873-2405, 1-800-463-2463 or visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/aff
iche_doc.cgi?dossier=621&table=0& (In French only)

Permit sales agent: hunting and fishing
Hunting, fishing and trapping permit sales agents - Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la faune
A merchant may apply to become a hunting, fishing or trapping permit sales agent. For more information, call 418 521-3960 or visit the Web site at http://www.fapaq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/faune/permis/depositaire.htm   (In French only)

Liquor permit
Liquor permit: grocery-store permit: special conditions - Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ)
Applicants must meet certain conditions for their establishments to be considered a grocery store such as furnishing the RACJ with a statement of inventory on display.  For further information, visit the Web site at  http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/aff
iche_doc.cgi?dossier=7280&table=0&

Liquor permit: categories - Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ)
List of liquor permits available, including the grocery store products. For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/affi
che_doc.cgi?dossier=7286&table=0& (In French only)

For more 'information, call the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux 514 873-3577, 418 643-7667 or 1-800-363-0320.

3.3 Certificates

Taxes
Registration of a business and collection of the QST and GST - Ministère du Revenu du Québec The following individuals must register: anyone who makes a taxable or tax-free sale or rental as part of a commercial activity in Quebec, including the taxable sale of goods and services. For further information, visit the Web site at
http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/affiche_doc.cgi?dossier=4031&table=0& (In French only)

Propane gas
Propane gas vendor certification of qualification
Only an individual holding a gas certificate of qualification in the category concerned is authorized to perform work in this field. The work may involve distribution, handling or sale of gas, including propane.  For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/affi
che_doc.cgi?dossier=1094&table=0& (In French only)

For information on the locations offering training and regulated qualification programs, visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/affi
che_doc.cgi?dossier=1089&table=0& (In French only)

3.4 Regulations

Municipality : Municipal public safety - Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions
This by-law concerns smoke detectors and other equipment, heating equipment, pipes,... For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/affiche_doc.cgi?dossier=7239&table=0& (In French only)

Regulation on the minimum price of beer (sold in grocery stores) - Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ)
The RACJ is empowered to set a minimum retail price for beer in order to encourage responsible consumption. This price varies with the permit category or only targets some categories.  For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/aff
iche_doc.cgi?dossier=2724&table=0& (In French only)

Inspection regulation: manufacturing and installation of pressure vessels- Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ)
 Pressure vessels such as boilers, refrigerating plants, tanks containing gas or liquids under pressure are subject to inspection when they are installed or used on a vehicle, in a public building, or in an industrial or commercial establishment. For further information, call 450 680-6380, 1-800-361-9252 for Montréal, 418 643-7150, 1-800-463-2221 for Québec or visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/af
fiche_doc.cgi?dossier=4248&table=0& (In French only)

Regulation respecting hazardous materials: user obligations - Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP)
A permit must be held by every person who operates for commercial purposes a treatment process for residual hazardous materials and stores any such residual hazardous materials after having taken possession thereof for that purpose.  For further information, call 418 521-3830, 1-800-561-1616 or visit the Web site at http://www.formulaire.gouv.qc.ca/cgi/aff
iche_doc.cgi?dossier=1422&table=0& (In French only)

The Tobacco Act - Ministère Santé et Services sociaux du Québec (MSSS)
Layout standards are established according to the number of seats in the establishment. These standards replace all current municipal bylaws/regulations concerning the protection of non-smokers in public places. For further information, call 418 646-9334, 1-877-416-8222 or visit the Web site at http://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/loi-tabac (In French only)

Operation I.D.
Operation I.D. is a positive-action program designed to help retailers and their staff uphold the law and put an end to the illegal sale of tobacco to minors. For further information, call 1-800-305-9880 or visit the Web site at http://www.operationid.com/

Competition Act - Competition Bureau
The Competition Bureau is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Act. Its role is to promote and maintain fair competition. For further information, consult the document Competition Act - Misleading Advertising and Deceptive Marketing Practices or visit the Web site at http://competition.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incb-bc.nsf/en/Home
Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act. For further information, call 1-800-348-5358 or visit the Web site at http://competition.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incb-bc.nsf/en/Home

The Act respecting weights and measures and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. - Industry Canada
The programs and services include evaluating and certifying the accuracy of measuring equipment, investigating complaints received from businesses and consumers who feel they have not received accurate measurement, and certifying measurement standards. For further information, see the documents  Weights and Measures  and Measurement Canada or visit the Web site at  http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inmc-mc.nsf/en/Home

A number of laws must be considered. The following is a list of examples:

• Act respecting Offences Relating to Alcoholic Beverages: http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file= /I_8_1/I8_1.htm  (In French only)
• Act respecting Occupational Health and Safety : http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/S_2_1/S2_1.html (In French only)
• Act respecting Labour Standards: http://www.cnt.gouv.qc.ca/en/index.asp
• Food and Drug Regulations: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/F-27/index.html

You can get permit, license and regulation information by contacting your province/territory, local city hall, town or village office or rural municipal office. Contacts for local, provincial/territorial and federal governments can be found in the government listings of your telephone directory or on the  Canada Site  and Portail du gouvernement du Québec Web sites.

4. ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANISATIONS

There are many associations that may be of use to convenience store owners. Although it is not necessary to join a convenience store association, there can be advantages in becoming a member because they:
- promote and exchange marketing and promotional ideas among members;
- establish and encourage high standards of quality and professionalism;
- represent and advocate on behalf of members.

Examples of associations include, but are not limited to:

Association des marchands dépanneurs et épiciers du Québec
For further information, call 418 654-3232, 1-877-227-6045 or visit the Web site at http://www.amdeq.ca (In French only)

Association of C-Store Managers (ACSM)
For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.c-storemanagers.com

Canadian Health Food Association
For further information, call 1-800-661-4510 or visit the Web site at http://www.chfa.ca

Refreshments Canada
For further information, call 1-866-895-7073 or visit the Web site at http://www.refreshments.ca/en/home/default.asp

NACS OnLine (previously C-Store Central)
For further information, call 1-800-966-6227 or visit the Web site at
http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/TopNav/Contact/default.htm

National Convenience Store Distributors Association (NACDA)
For further information, call 450 967-3858, 1-888-686-2823 or visit the Web site at http://www.nacda.ca/index2.html?InitLanguage=EN&Section=1.0

Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors
For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.ccgd.ca

Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education
For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.canfightbac.org/english/indexe.shtml

Retail Council of Canada (RCC)
For further information, call 1-888-373-8245 or visit the Web site at http://www.retailcouncil.org  

Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.cfig.ca/cfig.asp  

5. RESOURCES

Additional resources which may help convenience store owners include, but are not limited to:

Info-Guide - Business Start-Up – Info entrepreneurs
For information on the steps involved in establishing a new business see the document  Info-Guide – Business Start-Up

Business Plan for Small Service Firms
This publication is designed to help an owner-manager in drawing up a business plan. For further information, see the document  Business Plan for Small Service Firms

Statistics

Retail Trade - Statistics Canada
This publication presents retail sales estimates for all retail locations in Canada.  Price: $18 per copy or $166 for a 12 issue subscription.  For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.statcan.ca:8096/bsolc/en
glish/bsolc?catno=63-005-X< /A>

Wholesale Trade - Statistics Canada
this publication provides estimates of percentage changes for sales and inventories and stocks/sales ratios for wholesale merchants. Price: 15 $ per copy or 150 $ for a 12 issue subscription. For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.statcan.ca:8096/bsolc/english/bsolc?catno=63-008-X

Magazines

Canadian Grocer
Free subscription. A typical issue contains grocery industry reports, issues of relevance to the supermarket industry, a store profile and an analysis of a grocery category such as pasta, cleaning supplies or cereals. For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.cdngrocer.com

Canadian Retailer
Pay subscription. Published bimonthly, this is the business publication of choice for retail decision-makers looking for the latest industry research, advice and analysis. For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.retailcouncil.org/cdnretailer

Related Web Sites

Index of Food Recall - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Newsroom for food recalls and allergy alerts. For further information, visit the Web site at  http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/recaltoce.shtml

Convenience Central.ca
Portail d'information pour les détaillants de dépanneurs. For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.conveniencecentral.ca/

Bieranet
Information portal on Quebec craft brewers and associations. Directories of Quebec beers.  For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.bieranet.qc.ca/ (In French only)

Crime prevention - Service de police de la ville de Montréal
The SPCUM distributes information on armed or other types of robbery. It also explains what to do when people pay with a stolen credit card or NSF cheque. For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.spcum.qc.ca/fr/service/1_3_6_1_commerce.asp  (In French only)

Discover many other documents, tools and interesting links perterning to the "Start-Up cluster" in the Tool Box, What You Must Know andLinks of Interest sections of our Website.

• Info-Guide - Aboriginal Entrepreneurs
• Info-Guide – Women Entrepreneurs
• Info-Guide – Cooperatives
• Info-Guide – Innovation / R&D;
• Info-Guide – Employment and Training
• Info-Guide – Permits and Licences Required for Certain Types of Businesses
• Info-Guide – Multimedia, Culture and Communications
• Info-Guide – Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO)
• Info-Guide – Import
• Social Economy – Financing and Technical Resources
• Financing a Business
• Info-Guide – Business Start-Up
• Info-Guide – Export
• Info-Guide – Young Entrepreneurs
• Info-Guide – eBusiness

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.