The Town of Qualicum Beach is located within a large geographic retail and service trade area that spans from about Nanaimo on the south to Courtenay on the north and inland to Port Alberni. The dominant urban centres within this regional trade area are Nanaimo and Courtenay, which offer a wide selection of major retail and service chains, department stores, big box retailers, warehouse retailers, and restaurants/entertainment.

In addition to the 8,700 residents of Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Beach provides local commercial services for people who live in very nearby residential areas including Deep Bay, Bowser, Dunsmuir, and Errington. These areas have an estimated population of about 6,400, meaning that Qualicum Beach has a total local trade area population of about 15,000 people. (BC Stats, 2008)

For more information about opening a business in Qualicum Beach, please contact the Chamber of Commerce.

If you are looking for more specific information such as application forms or bylaws, please explore the Town of Qualicum Beach website through the links above.