Retail Industry Information Resources Key Terms

Use retail industry information resources key terms to find the best information

By Nikki Wheeler

Much research needs to go into starting and maintaining any kind of retail business. Using the knowledge uncovered during research will help turn your business into a profitable one by making the best decisions on how to structure your business and maximize money-making opportunities. Information resources can come from a variety of places and range from inexpensive to requiring quite an investment, but the most comprehensive and accurate information will be gathered across many different sources. Before starting the process, get to know the following retail industry information resources key terms.

Retail industry associations

A retail industry association is an organized group of people with a common interest in retail business, the advancement of the retail industry and sharing of knowledge of the retail industry.
Try: Learn more about the purpose of retail industry associations by reading the mission statement of one, the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

Retail trade shows

A retail trade show is a special event at which new and innovative retail goods and services are exhibited and demonstrated.
Try: Look through listings of upcoming retail trade shows at RetailSystems.com to see some examples of the specific retail industry segments they can target.

Statistics

Statistics is the numerical data collected, organized, and interpreted of surrounding the retail industry, such as industry sales reports, forecasts and consumer trends.
Try: Get a better idea of what retail statistics can tell businesses by researching the statistics complied by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Market research firm

A market research firm is a company that specializes in using various qualitative and quantitative research. They use techniques to gather and analyze the most in-depth data on the retail industry.
Try: Find out more information on what a market research firm, like QMS Partners, specializing in the retail market can do for your business.

Ezines

An ezine is an online magazine electronically distributed in regular intervals, just like any publication, and may be called cyberzine or hyperzine. It is an inexpensive resource for the most up-to-date retail information.
Try: STORES Magazine is one of the leading retail publications with a comprehensive ezine edition.

Niche publications

Niche publications are industry publications, also called trade publications, that cover information on specific industries such as fashion, recreation or drug stores.
Try: Find some major niche trade publications at Entrepreneur Magazine.