Use this guide in conjunction with the guides on Country Information and International Company Information. The following resources are starting points in the search for industry information. The focus is on industry/market research. Some of the resources are freely available on the web. Many others are Leddy Library subscriptions; if you are off-campus, you will need to sign on with your University of Windsor ID and email password. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact: Katharine Ball at (519) 253-3000, ext. 3852.
Start with the Leddy Library Databases
These are located on the Business Subject Page
Passport
An international database with both global and country level industry reports and statistics. Its focus is consumer goods and services. Information includes trends, market size and data, and competitive landscape. Use the Industries tab at the top. Then, under Country Reports, select your industry sub-category and country.
Market Research.com
Global and U.S. reports for service industries, consumer goods, food & beverage, heavy industry, life science, the public sector, and technology & media. Report providers include: Kalorma, Packaged Facts, SBI Energy, Simba Information, Freedonia Focus, and Paul Budde.
IBISWorld
A broad range of industry reports for the United States, Canada, Ontario, and China; also a few global reports. Information includes an industry overview, industry performance, industry outlook, products and markets, competitive landscape, major companies, operating conditions, and key statistics.
Sustainalytics
Sustainalytics (by Morningstar) provides a coherent and consistent approach to identify, understand, and manage environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, impact, and regulatory requirements across companies and industries worldwide. The Leddy Library licenses the ESG Risk Ratings/Reports (17,000 companies and 42 industries) and the Controversies Reports (17,000 companies).
Business Source Complete
Broad U.S./international coverage; includes scholarly journal articles, trade magazine articles, country reports, company reports, industry profiles, etc.
- Browse the Industry Profiles (right side). These profiles are mainly from Marketline/Datamonitor, Business Monitor, and Barnes Reports. They cover hundreds of industries and are both global and country-specific.
- Search for industry information. Type keywords that describe your industry into the Search box, and limit by date, if appropriate. Example: (automo* OR motor vehicle) and ital*
ProQuest One Business
A global search of ProQuest business databases, including ABI/Inform, CBCA Complete, EconLit, and others; contains scholarly journal articles, trade magazine articles, industry and market research, etc.
- Browse Industry Reports: these reports are from Barnes, Aquisdata, Fitch and others. They cover a large number of industries; some are global in coverage, some are country specific.
- Search for Industry Information: go to the Advanced Search; type keywords that describe your industry into the search box; limit by date if appropriate.
Compustat (via WRDS)
Very detailed financial information. Industry specific financial variables for airlines, banking, gaming, home-building, healthcare facilities, lodging, managed healthcare, mining, oil and gas, retail, semi-conductors and utilities.
Mergent Intellect
First Research U.S. industry reports, Dun and Bradstreet Key Business Ratios, and an extensive international business directory.
Mergent Online
Financial data, Investext Investment Reports, Horizon Global: supply chain information.
Supplement with Free Industry Information from the Web
Do a general Google search, but also focus your search by considering who might be producing the information you are looking for. National governments, government affiliated trade organizations, intergovernmental organizations, industry associations, accounting and consulting firms, and universities are often good sources of free information and reports. Below are a couple of examples.
Canadian Trade Commissioner Service. Country and Sector Information for International Business
Has quite extensive industry/product reports for a variety of countries; they are free, but you must register.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Market Intelligence Reports
Raw and processed food industry reports for individual countries
Updated June 2024
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