The information resources presented below are generally applicable to all segments of the retail stores,
including department stores, discount stores, superstores, general merchandise stores, warehouse clubs,
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
Warehouse Clubs and Superstores | Specialty Retail 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
Retail Industry Indicators
http://www.nrf.com/ Select "Bookstore - Reference & Resource"
Comprehensive annual compilation of charts and tables provides sales, employment, compensation, bankruptcies,
profitability, shrinkage, and other data at a national level. Additional tables are included for sales,
employment, compensation, and number of locations in the United States. State by state information
on sales and employment are included.
National Retail Federation
Retail Horizons: Benchmarks and Forecasts
http://www.nrf.com/ Select "Bookstore - Reference & Resource"
Annual survey of retailer practices includes operating and financial data, with individual sections
addressing store and field operations, supply chain management, merchandising and marketing, and a
variety of other topics.
Department Stores
(45211)
Dollar and Variety Stores
(45299) |
Big Box Retail Stores
(45291)
Reports provide in-depth industry analysis and a five-year industry forecast, with special focus on
the underlying structure and the external forces and relationships that affect an industry. Report
sections include:
Plunkett Research, Ltd.
Retail Industry
http://www.plunkettresearch.com/Industries/Retailing/
Business trends and statistics for the retail sector. Summary data free online.
International Council of Shopping Centers
Research
http://www.icsc.org/rsrch/research.php
ICSC's Research section is a comprehensive reference center for statistical and analytical information
on the U.S. and Canadian shopping centers. Sectors covered include chain and department stores, factory
outlets, shopping centers, and malls. Current issue of ICSC Researcher newsletter and selected other
data free online.
HHC Publishing
Warehouse Club Industry Guide
http://www.warehouseclubfocus.com/warehouse_club_industry_guide.php
Guide includes warehouse club sales and financial data, member demographic information, category sales
data, historical information, operator profiles, key program tips, and more. Selected excerpts free
online.
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. Available free online.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor
Career Guide to Industries -
Clothing, Accessory, and General Merchandise Stores
http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/home.htm
Information provided includes a description of the nature of the work, number and types of jobs, education
and training, wages and earnings, employment outlook, and sources for additional information. All
information is free online.
Entrepreneur Magazine Business Startup Kits
How To Start A Retail Business
http://www.entrepreneur.com/toolkit
Free startup kit provides an overview of the industry and key factors to be considered in starting
a 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 business and running it successfully. Detailed table of contents and excerpts from the
guide are available free online.
Industry Market Research Reports
http://www.marketresearch.com
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 Research Analysis
http://www.bizminer.com
Industry statistics include market size and market share by sales class and segment, number of companies,
annual sales and sales trends, 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 report can be viewed free online.
More Industry Research and Analysis
For more business research and analysis available from Standard & Poor's, Freedonia, Euromonitor,
Dun & Bradstreet, 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
http://www.bizminer.com
Five-year comparative financial analysis includes income statements with expense detail, balance sheets,
cash flow statements, and key business and financial ratios for more than 10,000 lines of business.
Financial statements and ratios are available by sales size range for all firms, and also in small
business, sole proprietor, and business start up versions. Sample financial report 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
NRF Retailer Compensation & Benefits Survey
http://www.nrf.com/ Select "Bookstore - Compensation"
Survey provides compensation, extensive benefits, and HR practices information for all major subsets
including specialty retailers. Data is displayed in aggregate and within key scope measures such as
locations and organization/store revenues and sizes.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor
Career Guide to Industries -
Clothing, Accessory, and General Merchandise Stores
http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/home.htm
Information provided includes a description of the nature of the work, number and types of jobs, education
and training, wages and earnings, employment outlook, and sources for additional information. All
information is free online.
JobStar.Org Profession-Specific Salary Surveys
Retail
http://jobstar.org/tools/salary/sal-prof.php
Compensation surveys covering industry personnel. All data is 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 for all firms, 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
http://valuationresources.com/Misc/ValuationMultiples.htm
Report provides small business valuation formula multiples for retail stores and more than 190 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.
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