The information resources presented below are generally applicable to all retail stores, including
general merchandise, department, discount, and specialty retail stores. For resource guides specific
to other industries, see Industry Information Resources which
covers over 400 individual industries.
Department Stores | Discount Stores
Dollar and Other General Merchandise Stores
http://www.firstresearch.com
Profiles cover key aspects of an industry's size, scope, and operations, recent news and developments,
industry trends, risks, and opportunities, and include a five-year industry forecast. Profiles are
updated quarterly and include:
National Retail Federation
Information resources available from this organization include:
Retail Industry Indicators
http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=933
Report includes information on retail sales levels and growth trends, number of firms and firm
characteristics, staffing and employment trends, employee compensation and benefits, and more.
Report can be viewed free online.
Retail Horizons: Benchmarks and Forecasts
http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=1203
Annual survey examines the current state of the industry and participants' plans for the year
ahead, with individual sections addressing general and financial information, store and field
operations, supply chain management, merchandising and marketing, and more. Study scope, introductory
text, and table of contents can be viewed free online
Reports provide in-depth industry analysis and a five-year industry growth forecast, with special
focus on the underlying structure and external forces and relationships that affect an industry and
its performance. Report sections include:
Sample industry report is available free online.
Plunkett Research, Ltd.
Retail Industry
http://www.plunkettresearch.com/Industries/Retailing/tabid/210/Default.aspx
Publication provides in-depth analysis of business trends and statistics for the retail sector. Industry
overview, sample data, and detailed table of contents are accessible free online.
International Council of Shopping Centers
Research Resource Center
http://www.icsc.org/research/index.php
ICSC's Research section is a comprehensive reference center for statistical and analytical information
for U.S. and Canadian shopping centers. Sectors covered include chain and department stores, factory
outlets, shopping centers, and malls.
IRS Audit Technique Guides
Retail Industry
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=108149,00.html
Guide contents include an overview of the industry and its business practices with primary focus on
accounting and tax issues. Publication is available free online.
Entrepreneur Magazine Business Startup Kits
How To Start A Retail Business
http://www.entrepreneur.com/toolkit/index.html
Free startup kit provides an overview of the industry and key factors to be considered in starting
a retail business.
Entrepreneur Magazine Business Startup Guides
Retail Store
http://www.smallbizbooks.com/
Startup guide provides an overview of the industry and takes users through the various aspects of
starting a retail store and running it successfully. Selected content can be viewed free online.
Industry Market Research Reports
General Merchandise, Department, Discount, and Specialty Retail Stores
http://www.marketresearch.com Search for specific terms or keywords
In-depth business market research reports include information on market size and market segmentation;
marketing strategy; product and market forecasts; business trends, risks, and opportunities; key participant
profiles; market share data; and more. Summary abstract and detailed table of contents for each market
research report is accessible free online.
Industry Market Analysis Reports
General Merchandise, Department, and Variety Stores
http://www.bizminer.com Search for "452"
Industry statistics for general merchandise, department, and variety stores include industry
sales and sales trends, market size and market share by sales class, average company sales and sales
per employee, staffing and employment trends, business start up activity and failure rates, and other
business statistics on a national, state, and metropolitan area level. Sample market analysis reports
can be viewed free online.
More Industry Research and Analysis
For more business research and analysis available from Standard & Poor's, Freedonia Group, Euromonitor,
and other sources—including key business statistics, market research and analysis, and business trends
and forecasts for a wide range of industries, see
Industry Overview,
Issues, Trends, and Outlook.
Industry Financial Ratios
General Merchandise, Department, and Variety Stores
http://www.bizminer.com Search for "452"
Five-year comparative financial statement analysis includes income statements with expense detail,
balance sheets, cash flow statements, and key business and financial ratios for general merchandise,
department, and variety stores. Reports are available by sales size range, and also in small business,
sole proprietor, and business start up versions. Sample financial reports with detailed financial
ratio analysis can be viewed free online.
More Industry Financial Analysis
For more business financial information and analysis available from Integra Information, RMA Annual Financial Statement Studies, and other sources—including financial statements, financial ratios, and other key performance indicators and benchmarks for a wide range of industries, see Industry Financial Information and Financial Ratios.
National Retail Federation
Information resources available from this organization include:
Retail Industry Indicators
http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=933
Report includes information on retail sales levels and growth trends, number of firms and firm
characteristics, staffing and employment trends, employee compensation and benefits, and more.
Report can be viewed free online.
NRF Retail Compensation & Benefits Survey
http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=451
Survey provides detailed information on employee compensation and benefits for all merchandise
categories including specialty retailers. Survey results can be analyzed by company or store size,
merchandise category, geographic area, and other factors. Complete listing of job positions included
in the survey and sample reports for selected positions are accessible free online.
ERI Economic Research Institute
Retail General Merchandise Stores Salary Survey
http://salary-surveys.erieri.com/
Salary survey provides compensation data for executive, management, and hourly personnel on a national
and state level by company size. Complete listing of job positions included in the survey and sample
pages for selected job positions are accessible free online.
Officer Compensation ExpenseSee "
BizMiner Industry Financial Ratios" above for report including this data.
Five-year comparative financial analysis details officer compensation expense in both dollars and as a percentage of sales. Available by sales size range, and also in small business, sole proprietor, and business start up versions. Sample financial reports can be viewed free online.
More Compensation and Salary Data
For more compensation and salary survey data available from ERI Economic Research Institute, PayScale, Salary.com, and other sources—including average salary, salary range, incentive compensation, and employee benefits information for a wide range of jobs and industries, see Compensation and Salary Surveys.
Small Business Valuation Formula Multiples
Dollar and Variety Stores
http://valuationresources.com/Misc/ValuationMultiples.htm
Report provides small business valuation formula multiples for dollar and variety stores and more
than 200 other industries. Valuation multiples are derived from market transactions as reported by
BIZCOMPS®, with the primary focus on small companies priced at less than $1 million.
BVMarketData
Private Company Sales Transactions Databases
Pratt's Stats® http://www.bvmarketdata.com/PSAdvSearch.asp
BIZCOMPS® http://www.bvmarketdata.com/BIZAdvSearch.asp
Free "Visitor Search" allows users to search thousands of private company sales transactions by SIC Code, NAICS Code, or business description for comparable business sale transaction data, including revenue, earnings, and EBITDA multiples. Data can be purchased as a single report or by subscription.
More Business Sale Transaction Data
For more business sale transaction data available from BizBuySell®, Done Deals, Mergerstat, Public Stats™, and other sources for a wide range of industries, see Business Valuation Multiples and Merger & Acquisition Transaction Data.
Related Industries:
Clothing Stores
Furniture Stores
Grocery Stores and Supermarkets
Warehouse Clubs and Superstores
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