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Susan's Small Business: Canada Blog

Canadian Halloween StatisticsFriday October 31, 2008Each year Statistics Canada puts together an entertaining collection of Halloween statistics called Halloween by the Numbers.Statisical tidbits revealed include how much squash Canada produced in 2007 (65,000 tonnes ), the value of the amount of candy, confectionery and snack foods sold at large retailers in October 2007 ($285 million) and the number of children in Canada of prime trick-or-treating age— 5 to 14 years old—in 2007 (3,872,849). But that's not all. There are also statistics on movie attendance, apple consumption, zombies and R&D. Visit the page and read at your own risk. (Insert creepy laugh here.)What this collection of statistics doesn't say but that we all know is that Halloween is largely a commercial event, and a very profitable one. (Read more about last Halloween's Consumer Spending in this 2007 release from the Retail Council of Canada.)If you're thinking you'd like to steer some of these profits your way you'll want to read Halloween - A Really Sweet Business Opportunity.©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.All rights reserved

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What's Hot for 2007? Could 2007 be the year to start the business of your dreams? Let our online Hot List be your guide.By Kristin Edelhauser December 13, 2006Add to My BookmarksWhat's Hot for 2007?Could 2007 be the year to start the business of your dreams? Let our online Hot List be your guide. Adds Article to your Entrepreneur Assist Bookmark page.Overall, 2006 was a good year for small business, with 671,800 new firms jumping into the small-biz scene. And recent studies show that about two-thirds of those new companies can expect to last at least two years. So how can you ensure that your company is a survivor? It helps if you already have an interest in the kind of business you want to start--pet supplies, online marketing services or a wine store, for instance--but you also need to be sure there's a demand for that service or product. Our online Hot Center will help you figure that out. We've uncovered the latest and greatest trends that are catching on across the nation, and listed them by category, including everything from Environmentally Friendly Businesses to Senior Services.Have a passion for food? Why not look into starting an upscale hamburger restaurant? Is fitness your forte? Learn more about creating your own niche gym. Would you like to make the world more eco-conscious? Start a green products office. No matter who you are, you're bound to find a hot trend for '07 that sparks your interest.Don't have a particular interest in mind? That's OK. Here are some new trends emerging that could be right for you:Bluetooth technology is popular right now, and experts say the popularity of the device will skyrocket over the next few years. From push advertising to mobile commerce, the sky's the limit with this trend.Party planning for teens is making a big impact on the event planning industry, as parents are going all out to make sure their teens celebrate their 16th birthdays or bar mitzvahs in style. If you already own an event planning company, teen parties are definitely a category you'll want to add to your services. If you're just starting up, you could choose to focus on a single aspect of teen parties, like security or entertainment.Specialty coffee was an $11 billion industry in 2005, up about $1.5 million from 2004, and the industry's continuing to grow. So why not follow this trend and start your own coffeehouse? Experts agree that people aren't just flocking to coffeehouses for the coffee, but for the social aspect and a sense of belonging.Content Continues BelowCopyright © 2008 Entrepreneur.com, Inc. All rights reservedCopyright © 2008 Entrepreneur.com, Inc. All rights reserved