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DSGN 473: Retail Strategies Practicum

Library resources useful for research assignments

Where can I get more help?

Contact the OSU Libraries Information Desk

Using This Guide

Some of the resources listed in this guide will prove useful for your projects, but there may be other resources not listed here that could also help you. You may want to check the Marketing and Business Guides for more suggestions, or contact the Business Librarian for further help if needed.

First Choice for Market Research: Mintel

Company and Industry Information

Specialty Databases

Free Online Resources

DEMOGRAPHICS

American FactFinder: Data from the U.S. census including Puerto Rico and island areas. Includes population, housing, and economic information. (There is a LibGuide for how to use American FactFinder, https://guides.library.oregonstate.edu/USCensusData that takes you through step-by-step

State Master: Database of facts about states. When viewing results, look at the bottom of the page to find the source. You may need to visit the source to view the most up-to-date information.

Oregon Rural Communities Explorer: Information compiled and updated by faculty and staff at Oregon State University thanks to a generous donation from the Ford Foundation. Much of the online information about Oregon communities (including Portland) that can't be found anywhere else.

CONSUMERS

Consumer Expenditure Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau/Bureau of Labor Statistics. This program consists of two surveys, the Quarterly Interview Survey and the Diary Survey, that provide information on the buying habits of American consumers, including data on their expenditures, income, and consumer unit (families and single consumers) characteristics.

TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

National Retail Federation (NRF): NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Their mission is to advance the interests of the retail industry through advocacy, communications and education. Access and read their news pages for free, or sign up for a student account (under Membership) to receive daily news briefs, and exclusive access to retail industry research and more.

AMA Citation Guide

AMA Reference Style List PDF.