Marketing 327: Retailing in PA
Research Resources

Demographics & Other Statistics

Pennsylvania Abstract: A Statistical Fact Book is an annual publication with tables of statistics in a wide range of categories. Call #: REF HA607.P4

US Census Data - Consult for both demographic and economic data. State and local subsets include:

Pennsylvania State Data Center - Check the PA Stats section on the left-hand menu.

Rand McNally Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide includes MSA, county, and city statistics such as population trends, retail sales in a limited number of categories, disposable income, marketablity, etc. Call #: On the atlas stand

Statistical Abstract of the United States - State, metropolitan area, and county data is available via links at the bottom of the webpage. This source is also available on the reference shelves in the library, call # REF HA202 .A386.

Company and Industry Information

Pennsylvania Business Directory
Call #: REF HF5065.P4 P45

Tip: Section 2 lists businesses by yellow book category.

Pennsylvania County Industry Trends offers statistics by county and NAICS industry codes. Call #: HC107.P4P26

Marketing 220 research guide lists company and industry e-resources.

Locating Company Information is an excellent tutorial by Penn State librarians at the Shreyer Business Library. The "Quick Access Database Collection" section lists e-resources with animated guides.

Public Opinion

iPoll - US public opinion data from 1935 to the present from academic sources, Gallup, news organizations, and more
Tip: Try the following search: rent% and (auto% or car or cars), changing the topic to consumer. The % acts as a truncation symbol, retrieving any word that begins with rent or auto.

Business News, Journals, and Trade Publications

ABI/Inform includes 1400 business-related journals, newspapers, and magazines from 1986
Tip: Search automobile rentals in the box labeled subject. (Click "more options" if you don't see the subject box midway down the search page.) Other words and phrases can be added in the boxes at the top for a more specific search.

Lexis/Nexis Academic offers a wide range of business and legal publications including full-text newspapers and media transcripts

 

For more information contact:
Judy Sandt
Reference Librarian
Penn State Lehigh Valley
jsandt@psu.edu

updated February 2006