Developing a business plan requires researching a variety of topics including company information, industries, and demographics.

The databases and links available here will lead you to useful information. Further assistance is available by visiting the Reference Desk of the Management & Economics Library.

Market Data & Demographics

Consumer Spending and Habits

• Choices III: Statistical data on consumer habits and advertising.
• Survey of Buying Power: Guide to consumer purchasing trends.
• Guide to Household Spending: Provides information on spending habits in distinct catagories broken down by different demographic characteristics.
  
  

  Market Data & Demographics
  
  Consumer Spending and Habits

  • Choices III: Statistical data on consumer habits and advertising.
  • Consumer USA - Statistics on consumer spending by product and brand.
  • Survey of Buying Power: Guide to consumer purchasing trends.
  • Guide to Household Spending: Provides information on spending habits in distinct catagories broken down by different demographic characteristics.
  • Lifestyle Market Analyst - Reference guide for consumer market analysis
  • Business & Industry/Tablebase: Industry & trade publications with good international coverage

  More resources can be found on the: Market Research & Marketing Topic Page

• US Statistical Abstract: A compilation of many sources this provides statistics on population, age, ethnicity and more.
• US Census: Business: Statistical data on US businesses, County Business Patterns, manufacturer and retail statistics.
• City and County Databook: Population and housing data from the 2000 Census.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Information on employment, salaries, and related statistics.
• American Salaries & Wages Survey: Provides detailed information on salaries for different jobs in different cities around the US.
  

• Small Business Sourcebook: Massive directory to information sources for small businesses.
• Small Business Administration: Information, guides, and forms for starting a small business.

Company Information (More on Company Information--->)

Public Companies

• SEC: EDGAR: Securities & Exchange Commission´s database of public company filings.
• Thomson Financial: Financial and management information on US & International public companies.

Private & Public Companies

• Business & Company Resource Center: Information on companies, rankings, suits & claims, and much more
• Hoover´s: Database containing large public & private companies.  Information includes profiles, competitors, financials, and recent articles.
• ReferenceUSA: (Krannert Only) Database of over 1,000,000 public and private companies.  Brief information is provided.
• Thomas Register: Directory of companies, products, and services. Free registration is necessary.

Articles & Press Releases

• Business Newsbank: Company announcements and articles on small companies.
• General BusinessFile ASAP: General business publications.
• Regional Business News: Worldwide business wires and announcements.

For more information see our Companies Topic Page.

Industry Resources (More on industry research--->)

Industry Classification Codes

• SIC Code Manual: US classification system for types of businesses.
• NAICS & SIC Code Tables: Comparison of the old and new classification systems for types of businesses.

Industry Overviews

• Business & Company Resource Center: Database with industry information including rankings, market share, & associations.  Also full-text essays for industry overviews.
• Market Insight:  Industry Overviews and S&P´s Industry Surveys are available.
• WEFA Industrial Monitor:  Analysis on over 130 industries.  Demand, supply, price and outlook information is available. (Book)
• US Industry & Trade Outlook 2000:  Information on US industries, how those industries affect the US economy, as well as the global marketplace. (Book)

Industry Statistics

• Tablebase: Database of statistical and numeric data gathered from magazines and journal articles.
• US Economic Census: Recent information on industries.
• Consumer USA 1999  Overview of consumer market trends, market and product statistics, as well as information on key consumer goods and retailing information. (Book)
• Associations Unlimited: Associations support businesses within specific industries they can be powerful sources of statistics and support.

Industry Ratios

• Key Business Ratios: Financial ratios for industry groups.
• Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios (Book)
• Industry Norms and Key Business Ratios (Book)
• Mergent´s Industry Review (Book)
• RMA Annual Statement Studies (Book)

Industry articles & news

• Promt: Industry and trade publications

More resources can be found on the Industry Topic Page