Database & Directory Publishing in Canada - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
New York, United States
Last Updated: August 2023
NAICS 51114CARevenue
$1.4bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
7,850
Businesses
99
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Database & Directory Publishing in Canada industry analysis
The transition from printed databases and directories to online formats has left the Canadian Database and Directory Publishing industry reeling, with revenue decreasing over the five years to 2023 because of this transition and COVID-19. From the advertisers' perspective, marketing costs are allocated to the media channels that most accurately reflect consumer behaviour. As more consumers shift to digital directory and database substitutes, demand for print advertisements, previously the industry's largest revenue source and profit indicator, has declined. Over the five years to 2023, the number of consumers with smartphones, which come with online directory capabilities via their ability to connect to the internet, has risen alongside internet connectivity. This has coincided with declining demand for industry products. Consequently, industry revenue has been declining an annualized 10.2% over the past five years, and is expected to reach $1.4 billion in 2023. This includes a decrease of 3.6% in 2023 alone.The industry has historically been dominated by several players, mainly telephone companies with access to consumer and business contact information. As the industry has contracted, companies have spun off their directory divisions. This was exemplified by the industry-defining event of Bell Canada handing off what would become Yellow Media Limited to KKR & Co. Inc. and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. Over the past five years, this trend has continued, with companies selling off their failing segments to larger companies. The purchasing companies have used merger and acquisition activities to diversify their service and product offerings, entering various third-party fields, including market research, data processing and analytics, and database management.Over the five years to 2028, the industry will likely continue its downward spiral. During this period, total advertising expenditure is expected to rise. However, total print advertisement expenditure will likely decline as a share of total spending. The use of print advertisements will likely continue to become obsolete over the next five years. The most significant contributing factor to this decline is expected to be the growing use of digital advertisements. Consequently, IBISWorld forecasts industry revenue will decrease an annualized 3.4% to $1.2 billion over the five years to 2028.
Trends and Insights
- As the industry continues to evolve, companies that are able to embrace new technologies and innovative approaches are likely to succeed. This could include investing in AI, AR, mobile optimization, voice search, and blockchain technology, among other emerging trends.
- The primary objective of most publishers is to provide information for business-to-business marketing endeavours; therefore, businesses are the single most significant market for the industry. However, this is shaped by the overall trend of business size in Canada, which is heavily skewed toward smaller companies.
- Establishments in the Database and Directory Publishing industry in Canada mainly follow the distribution of the Canadian population and economic activity. Ultimately, since most directories, mailing lists, and databases are compiled for business-to-business marketing, the financial and industrial epicentres of Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec are the most attractive areas to set up operations.
- Relative market share in directory publishing is going up as revenue falls. Still, many more companies fade and leave their assets to rot.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 10.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.4bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Digital transformation has altered the landscape of the database and directory publishing industry
- The shift toward digital transformation is one of the biggest trends affecting Canada's database and directory publishing industry.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Search options will likely shift for database and directory publishers
- The rise of smart speakers and voice assistants has led to the development of voice search technology, which allows users to access directory information through voice commands.
Biggest companies in the Database & Directory Publishing in Canada
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($m)
2023 | Profit ($m)
2023 | Profit Margin (%)
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Yellow Pages Limited | 62.8 | 19.3 | 30.7 | |
Scott's Directories | 23.1 | N/A | N/A | |
Metroland Media Group | 10.1 | N/A | N/A |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Print Directories, Online Databases and Other services. Print Directories is the largest segment of the Database & Directory Publishing in Canada.
Trends and Insights
Print directories continue to become more expensive and less useful
- A shift in consumer preferences has led to a collapse in print publications, as more consumers are searching for information and conducting various activities online; this has driven publishers to focus on online publications increasingly.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Software Publishing in Canada
Complementors
- Printing in Canada
- Book Publishing in Canada
International industries
- Database & Directory Publishing in the US
- Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia
- Magazine and Book Publishing in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in this industry publish organized compilations of information or facts in either print or electronic form. Electronic versions can be provided directly to customers by the publisher, offered through online services or by third-party vendors. This industry does not, however, include businesses that publish solely on the internet.
What's included in this industry?
Selling advertising spacePublishing business and telephone directoriesMaintaining and selling databasesPublishing mailing listsCompanies
Yellow Pages LimitedScott's DirectoriesMetroland Media GroupPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
WHITE PAGESYELLOW PAGESINDEPENDENT DIRECTORYIndustry Code
NAICS 511140 - Database & Directory Publishing in Canada
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
As the industry continues to evolve, companies that are able to embrace new technologies and innovative approaches are likely to succeed. This could include investing in AI, ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The primary objective of most publishers is to provide information for business-to-business marketing endeavours; therefore, businesses are the single most significant market ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Establishments in the Database and Directory Publishing industry in Canada mainly follow the distribution of the Canadian population and economic activity. Ultimately, since ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each province in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each province in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Relative market share in directory publishing is going up as revenue falls. Still, many more companies fade and leave their assets to rot.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Yellow Pages was once a dominant player in the industry. However, the company has faced significant challenges in recent years amid the rise of online search engines and othe...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Yellow Pages Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Scott's Directories's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Metroland Media Group's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Yellow Pages Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Scott's Directories, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Metroland Media Group, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Phone book publishers receive little external assistance. This trend is accelerating as the need for, and sentiment surrounding phone books falls further.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Costs are falling across the board as directory publishers cut all noncritical outlays. Relative wages are increasing for online directories focusing on automated record coll...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2016-2021)
- Coverage Ratios (2016-2021)
- Leverage Ratios (2016-2021)
- Operating Ratios (2016-2021)
- Assets (2016-2021)
- Liabilities (2016-2021)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Canada include:
- Statistics Canada
- Industry Canada
- Canadian Business Patterns
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Database & Directory Publishing industry in Canada in 2024?
The market size of the Database & Directory Publishing industry in Canada is $1.4bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Database & Directory Publishing in Canada industry in 2023?
There are 99 businesses in the Database & Directory Publishing industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 6.0 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Database & Directory Publishing industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Database & Directory Publishing industry in Canada has been declining at a CAGR of 10.2 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Database & Directory Publishing industry in Canada over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Database & Directory Publishing industry in Canada is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Database & Directory Publishing market in Canada?
The biggest companies operating in the Database & Directory Publishing market in Canada are Yellow Pages Limited, Scott's Directories and Metroland Media Group
What does the Database & Directory Publishing in Canada include?
Selling advertising space and Publishing business and telephone directories are part of the Database & Directory Publishing industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Database & Directory Publishing in Canada?
The company holding the most market share in Canada is Yellow Pages Limited.
How competitive is the Database & Directory Publishing industry in Canada?
The level of competition is high and decreasing in the Database & Directory Publishing industry in Canada.
