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Industry Research

Industry Associations

Most industries have a professional association that collects data and provides resources for members.  Their websites can have a wealth of information that may not be available elsewhere.  Some data may be for members only, but it's worth checking.  Look for pages such as "resources", "data", "news", or "research".

Associations are especially helpful for smaller industries, when data may be hard to find elsewhere.

While not comprehensive, Wikipedia maintains a list of major associations organized by industry

Structure a search with: industry name + association

Example: Aircraft + association

Associations for Specific Industries

Below are just a few examples of trade associations for major industries

  • METALS AND MINERALS
    • Aluminum Association - The Association represents U.S. and foreign-based primary producers of aluminum, aluminum recyclers and producers of fabricated products, as well as industry suppliers. Website includes industry overview as well as news and statistics
    • American Iron and Steel Institute - Look up policy news,steel making facts, and industry trends
    • USGS Minerals Information  - Find information and statistics about minerals production, demand, and usage by commodity, country, and state
  • RETAIL
    • Food Marketing Institute - Provides data about supermarkets, including top retailers, industry reports, top food processors and regulatory affairs
    • International Council of Shopping Centers  - International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is the global trade association of the shopping center industry. Research information is for members only, but periodicals listed under "publications" are free
    • National Association of Convenience Stores - Includes fact sheets about scope of the convenience store industry, motor fuels, industry issues and merchandise and services
    • National Automobile Dealers Association  - Auto industry news, product information, and sales reports from professional association of American car and truck dealers
    • National Retail Federation - NRF represents retailers throughout the globe, publishes STORES magazine, and provides limited research information (some for members only)
    • Toy Industry Association  - Find economic data, corporate social responsibility initiatives, international trade regulations, reports and studies, and toy industry trends
  • TRAVEL AND TOURISM
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