Industries

Some things to keep in mind as you start research on an industry...

• Industries exist on a continuum from very broad ("Retail") to niche ("software for the real estate industry" or "customized gift baskets").
  Many sources emphasize broader industries but can still be useful context for niche industry research.
• The same industry can be described in many different ways, depending on the source!
  • Take note of alternate ways your industry is described.
    Examples:
    • Jos. A. Bank could be said to be in the clothing, apparel, or menswear industry.
    • McCormick makes packaged foods — a subset of Food & Nonalcoholic Beverages.)
• Does your industry sell its products/services to businesses in other industries (B2B)?
  Those industries would be well worth researching too.
• Do you need information that is local, regional, U.S.-based, global?
  This will affect where you need to look for info and the amount of info you find.
• Use and understand Industry Codes as needed. (See below for more info)
• There is a synergy between company and industry information.
  Detailed company information will often yield useful nuggets of industry information.
• Not finding enough info? Email the Business Librarian or Ask a Librarian

Use these codes as a shortcut to find info on a particular industry.

Codes are often listed in company profiles.

• NAICS: North American Industry Classification System   [5-6 digits]
  The newer system (c. 1997) of industrial codes; applies to U.S., Canadian, and Mexican industries.
   
• SIC: Standard Industrial Classification  [4 digits*]
  Though this system was superseded by NAICS, some sources are still arranged by SIC code!
  *Note: Some sources (e.g., ReferenceUSA database) use proprietary “enhanced” (longer) SICs.