Entrepreneurship and Small Business: Industry Information

First Research covers industries from 11 sectors (such as Construction & Real Estate; Recreation; Retail; Food & Agriculture; Technology & Communications; and Energy.) Many of the profiles, which are updated quarterly, are not readily found in other sources. There is also a section devoted to State & Province Profiles, which provide a snapshot of the business climate in individual states and provinces.

Standard and Poor's Industry Surveys provides detailed economic and business information for 52 major U.S. industries, viewed at the national / global level. Each survey includes sections on recent trends, 'how the industry operates,' and how to analyze a company.

IBISWorld provides market intelligence reports for more than 1,000 products and services. The reports are geared help those in charge of procurement of various supplies and services, which in turn may be part of a larger supply chain.

Euromonitor's Passport, provides detailed international market research, presented as industry, company, country, and consumer reports. See the guide: Industry Information in Euromonitor's Passport.

Value Line is primarily for investment research on companies and their stocks. In addition, there is a one page Industry Commentary of each industry covered by Value Line. These commentaries frequently include a chart of retrospective and estimated composite statistics, such as the Average Annual P/E Ratio. The print version of Value Line is at the Sawyer Library Reference Desk (REF Desk HG4501 .V26).

Those who are interested in starting a "green" business, may wish to try out Building Green. This resource combines GreenSpec (a directory of green products), Environmental Building News, and a database of case studies, with the goal of helping "building-industry professionals ... [to] reduce the adverse impacts, of buildings."

A set of 6 volumes, available both online and in print; gives overviews of American Industries, organized from A-Z.

A three volume set, available both online, via Gale Virtual Reference, and in print (REF. Desk HC102 .E53 2011). v. 1. Manufacturing industries -- v. 2. Agriculture, mining, construction, wholesale, & retail industries -- v. 3. Finance, service & public administration industries