Business-to-Business

B2B (Business-to-Business) refers to commercial transactions where one business sells products or services to another business, rather than to individual consumers (B2C). B2B transactions typically involve:

  • Larger order volumes
  • Longer sales cycles
  • Contract-based relationships
  • Negotiated pricing & bulk discounts

Types of B2B Businesses in Canada

1. Wholesale & Distribution

  • Businesses sell products in bulk to retailers or other businesses.
  • Examples:
    • Food & beverage distributors (e.g., Sysco Canada)
    • Industrial equipment suppliers (e.g., Grainger Canada)
    • Electronics wholesalers

2. Manufacturing & Supply Chain

  • Companies supply raw materials, components, or finished goods to other manufacturers.
  • Examples:
    • Auto parts suppliers (e.g., Magna International)
    • Chemical & material suppliers (e.g., BASF Canada)

3. Software & Technology (B2B SaaS)

  • Businesses sell software, cloud services, or IT solutions to other companies.
  • Examples:
    • Shopify (e-commerce platform for businesses)
    • OpenText (enterprise information management)
    • FreshBooks (accounting software for SMBs)

4. Professional & Financial Services

  • Companies offer specialized services to other businesses.
  • Examples:
    • Accounting & legal firms (e.g., Deloitte Canada)
    • Business consulting (e.g., McKinsey Canada)
    • Payment processors (e.g., Moneris)

5. Marketing & Advertising Services

  • Agencies provide digital marketing, branding, or ad services to businesses.
  • Examples:
    • Cossette (advertising agency)
    • Hootsuite (social media management for businesses)

6. Logistics & Transportation

  • Businesses provide shipping, warehousing, or freight services.
  • Examples:
    • Purolator (courier services)
    • C.H. Robinson (supply chain & logistics)

7. HR & Staffing Solutions

  • Companies offer recruitment, payroll, or outsourcing services.
  • Examples:
    • Randstad Canada (staffing agency)
    • ADP Canada (payroll & HR services)

8. Industrial & Maintenance Services

  • Businesses provide equipment servicing, facility management, or industrial supplies.
  • Examples:
    • Wajax (industrial equipment services)
    • Reliance Home Comfort (HVAC for businesses)

Key B2B Sales Models in Canada

  1. Direct Sales (e.g., Salesforce teams, enterprise contracts)
  2. E-Commerce B2B (e.g., Amazon Business, Alibaba B2B)
  3. Subscription-Based (e.g., SaaS like Slack, Zoom)
  4. Marketplace Platforms (e.g., Faire for wholesale, ThomasNet for industrial supplies)

Why B2B is Big in Canada?

  • Strong manufacturing, tech, and finance sectors.
  • Government support for SMBs & startups.
  • Growing demand for cloud computing, AI, and automation solutions.