Small business owners just do not have the same access to industry reports as the owners of multi-national corporations and other large operations. However, it does not have to be this way. There are actually a plethora of resources online available to small business owners. If you want to find free industry reports for your industry, consider the various options listed below.
U.S. Census Bureau
If you are doing business within the United States, the U.S. Census Bureau provides free access to all the industry reports you could need. This government bureau offers monthly, quarterly and annual measures of industrial activity through its Current Industrial Report program, also referred to as CIR. If you want free access to timely, accurate data regarding product production and shipment, this is the place to go. This is true for mortgage brokers, retail store owners and every business owner in between. Visit the United States Census Bureau website for all your quarterly and annual industry reports.
IBISWorld
IBISWorld is another place to go to find industry research reports on over 1,300 U.S. Industries. In addition to U.S. industry reports, the website also provides state industry reports, global industry reports and even specialized industry reports. No matter what your needs, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive selection of industry research and reports on both U.S. and global economies. Keep them in mind when you need free industry reports with accurate, pertinent information.
PwC
PwC is not the first name you think of when it comes to gathering industry intelligence. However, they offer a ton of resources for small business owners in need of industry research. The PwC website features statistical information on a ton of different industries. These industries include aerospace and defense, transportation and logistics, hospitality and leisure, industrial manufacturing and many, many more. Keep PwC in mind when you are searching for quarterly industry reports.
Social Media Examiner
If you are looking for marketing reports, the Social Media Examiner website offers the ones you need. The website features a comprehensive social media marketing industry report annually. The information is not quite as real-time as, say, a monthly social media marketing report that includes useful information on Facebook advertising cost data. However, it still provides useful information on how marketers use social media to grow business. If you are looking for comprehensive social media marketing industry reports, consider visiting the Social Media Examiner website.
EuroMonitor International
If you do business overseas, or are planning to in the near future, visit the EuroMonitor International website. This website offers annual industry reports featuring internationally comparable statistics on a comprehensive array of consumer goods, services and industrial markets. You can browse through EuroMonitor’s many international industry reports easily with their super user-friendly interface. These reports are not free, unfortunately. However, they are much more affordable than some of the other costly industry reports available. If you do not mind shelling out some cash for a detailed industry report with accurate international data, consider EuroMonitor International.
Unfortunately, small business owners do not have quite the same amount of access to specific industry reports, like those regarding the Chicago gourmet market. This can seriously impact business planning for the future. Thankfully however, there are free industry reports available online. You just have to know where to look. Use some of the resources above for global industry reports as well as U.S. industry reports. Depending on what you need and what industry you operate in, you are sure to find the industry research and reporting you need from one of the websites listed above. This is certain to improve business planning accuracy and efficacy. Make sure to take advantage of it.
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