Distribution Channels and ACV
- Industry Survey LocatorOrganized by library staff to help find Industry Overviews and Trends. See the following sources for distribution and supply chain information:
- Mintel Academic This link opens in a new window
Mintel reports provide information on markets for consumer products, travel, lifestyles, and leisure. Our subscription predominately covers products and markets in the United States. Each report combines data & analysis of the competitive landscape and consumer profiles.
- IBISWorld This link opens in a new windowIndustry snapshots include statistics and key facts as well as information on key issues facing the industry
- NetAdvantage (S&P Global) This link opens in a new windowIndustry snapshots include statistics and key facts as well as information on key issues facing the industry.
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new windowThe first section of a public company 10K has information related to company strategy, including distribution and other related issues such as seasonality. You may search the 10K with the above key words using the Ctrl F function on your computer keyboard.
Find the 10K, from a public company of your relevant industry, by looking for SEC Filings in the Company Annual & Financial Reports guide. - Data Axle Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA) This link opens in a new windowUse custom search to create lists of manufacturers by product name, SIC or NAICS code, and geographical area.
Manufacturing & Distribution USA
Location: Pardee Reserve - Reference HD9723 .M365Industry information arranged by NAICS code, including competitors, materials, statistics, inputs and outputs. The latest copy is at the Pardee Services Desk on the Reserve-Reference (High Use) shelves.- Retail Business Market Research Handbook 2019-2020Location: OnlineRetail business market research handbook by RK Miller includes information and statistics from a variety of sources.
Freight and Shipping
- A-Z Worldwide Airfreight DirectoryAlso includes Cargo Agents/Freight Forwarders Associations.
- Freightquote.comInstant quotes from a variety of well-known carriers.
- Trans-Directory.comWorldwide directory of transportation and related providers.
Retail and Wholesale Industry
- IBISWorld This link opens in a new window Covers over 700 U.S. Industries with key statistics, segmentation, market characteristics, industry conditions, key competitors, industry performance and outlook. Click on Retail Trade in Browse Industry list.
- NetAdvantage (S&P Global) This link opens in a new window Standard and Poor’s provides a good overview of the retailing industry in two surveys – Retailing: General and Retailing: Specialty. Both include information on current environment, industry profile, and comparative company analysis.
- Location: Pardee Reserve - Reference HD9723 .M365Volume 3 includes lists of leading retailers and wholesalers by NAICS code.
- Data Axle Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA) This link opens in a new window Use custom search to create lists of manufacturers by product name, SIC or NAICS code, and geographical area.
You can also navigate to the Marketing Research Guide specifically the eCommerce and Internet Marketing section.
Retail Statistics and Sales
- Bizstats.comFinancial ratios, business statistics and benchmarks.
- Retail & Wholesale TradeThe latest statistics from the U.S. Census bureau.
- Location: Pardee Reserve - Reference HD9723 .M365Pardee Services Desk on the Reserve-Reference (High Use) shelves – X HD 9723 M365
Volume 3 includes information on a variety of retail and wholesale operations. Includes statistics from U.S. Economic Census, with numbers of establishments and sales figures with projections for current years.
Retail Sales information by industry can be found in the sections on Wholesale and Retail, SIC codes 50 through 59.
- Retail Owners InstituteSee top toolbar for information on 50 retail segments. Includes “gross profit” among other statistics and ratios for different types of stores.
- Retail Business Market Research Handbook 2019-2020Location: OnlineRetail business market research handbook by RK Miller includes information and statistics from a variety of sources.
Manufacturers Reps
- Association of Independent Manufacturers’/Representatives A trade association for manufacturer’s representatives. In addition to the usual newsletters and press releases, they have two directories. One is just a long list of “Members Online.” The other is a cross-reference of manufacturers and their representatives. If a student is “in the market” for a representative, they may be able to find a relevant manufacturer in this list and see what reps that manufacturer is using.
- Manufacturers’ Agents National Association Another trade association for manufacturer’s reps, but this deals with more kinds of products (not just industrial). Includes a page about the advantages of using manufacturers’ agents which, despite its obvious bias, may be helpful to 323 students who are considering outsourcing their sales force.
Selling Through Independent Reps by Location: Pardee Stacks HF 5438.25 N68 2000Detailed book on using manufacturers reps, includes useful resource guide with Manufacturers’ Representative Associations.
- Data Axle Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA) This link opens in a new window Use custom search to create lists of manufacturers by product name, SIC or NAICS code, and geographical area.
Information Technology
- InformationWeekArticles include IT information on individual companies. Check Boston University’s Electronic Journals to see if this title is available full text.
- CIOCIO is an online magazine for the IT professional. Check Boston University’s Electronic Journals to see if this title is available full text.
- ComputerworldComputerworld is the “voice of IT management.” Check Boston University’s Electronic Journals to see if this title is available full text.
