Introduction
This guide is designed specifically to support the Certificate in Food Industry Management (FIM) program at the USC Marshall School of Business, but may be of use to anyone interested in food and grocery retailing, wholesaling, manufacturing and supply.
Searching USC Databases
For general overviews and market research reports, search terms like: GROCERY, GROCERY STORES, SUPERMARKETS, and FOOD RETAILING.
For related information, also look at our Food & Beverages LibGuide.
USC Industry Information Databases
- TOP INDUSTRY DATABASES:
- IBISWorld This link opens in a new windowDetailed market research and analysis for U.S., China and Global markets
- Standard and Poor's NetAdvantage This link opens in a new windowDetailed data on specific companies and industries, including profiles, financial data, stock information, competitors and competition, and forecasts for future business.
- Passport This link opens in a new windowPassport/GMID by Euromonitor. International industry, company and market information
- MarketResearch.com Academic This link opens in a new windowDetailed reports from multiple publishers.
- BCC Research This link opens in a new windowIndustry coverage focuses on many technologies and sciences (Life Sciences, Materials, Environment and Sustainability).
- Mintel This link opens in a new windowMintel Oxygen provides detailed market research reports in the areas of Beauty & Personal Care, Drink, Food, Leisure & Entertainment, Lifestyles, and Retailing and Apparel.
- ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- Insider Intelligence (formerly known as eMarketer) This link opens in a new windowProvides analysis, market data, and statistics on the Internet, e-commerce, online marketing, social media, and emerging digital technologies around the world.
- EStatement Studies This link opens in a new windowProvides financial ratios and other information on many industries.
- Forrester This link opens in a new windowTechnology and market research from Forrester Research, Inc. focusing on the business implications of technology change.
- Gartner This link opens in a new windowUSC/netID/webmail password required for access. USC does not have full access to all reports.
- SBRnet (Sports Business Research Network) This link opens in a new windowSports Business Research Network provides market research and industry news for the sports industry.
- SRDS - Standard Rate and Data Service This link opens in a new windowStandard Rate and Data Service compiles contact information and ad rates for a variety of media sources
- WARC This link opens in a new windowPreviously known as the World Advertising Research Center, WARC provides a wide range of information on advertising and marketing trends around the world including expenditure data, case studies, industry trends and consumer insight.
- Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) This link opens in a new windowCompustat provides industry index information: Select Compustat - Monthly Updates - Select Region - Select Index Prices. Use 'Company Codes - Code Lookup to find industry specific codes
- Frost & Sullivan This link opens in a new windowIndustry and technology research from this global consulting firm covering US and international markets in areas such as information and communication technology, healthcare, automotive and transportation, measurement and instrumentation, chemicals, materials, energy, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, environment and buildings, electronics and security, metals, minerals and much more.
USC Books
Search USC Libraries Catalog for books and periodicals using the following words and phrases, or find full-text books online through eBrary:
- Grocery or Grocery Stores
- Grocery retailing
- Grocery trade
- Supermarkets
- Grocery shopping
- Food retailing or food industry
- Food distribution channels
- Produce trade
The Food Retailing Industry Speaks by Call Number: Business Ref. HD9321.1 .F58Annual 'State of the Industry' review published by the Food Marketing Institute.- Directory of Wholesale GrocersCall Number: Business Ref. HF5468 .A1D5Annual publication listing wholesale distributors, leading companies, and product lines.
- Grocery Distribution Analysis and Guide by Call Number: Business Ref. HD9321.3 .G7Publication Date: annual"An analysis of grocery distribution in the top 385 metropolitan areas" in the United States.
Grocery: the buying and selling of food in America by Call Number: EBOOKPublication Date: 2017Hard copy available in Business HD9321.5 .R83 2017
Cornering the Market: independent grocers and innovation in American small business by Call Number: EBOOKPublication Date: 2016
The Grocers: the rise and rise of the supermarket chains by Call Number: EBOOKPublication Date: 2011Hard copy available in Grand Depository HF5469 .S48 1999x
The Trader Joe's Adventure: turning a unique approach to business into a retail and cultural phenomenon by Call Number: EBOOKPublication Date: 2005Hard copy available in Business HD9321.9 .T73 L49 2005
Search for More Books & Ebooks
Trade Publications & Online News
- Grocery DiveLatest news covering the grocery industry with emphasis on "grocery delivery, online food shopping, shopper behavior, store formats, technology" and more.
- Independent GrocersPublished under Progressive Grocer and includes content on gourmet retailers
- Natural Foods MerchandiserPublished under the New Hope Network
- Winsight Grocery BusinessPreviously Grocery Headquarters magazine
- Retail Customer ExperienceCovers all segments of retail but does include many articles on cutting edge applications for grocery stores and supermarkets.
Statistics & Data
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Industries at a GlanceFood and beverage stores - NAICS 445
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Industries at a GlanceMerchant wholesalers, non-durable goods - NAICS 424
- USDA Agricultural Marketing ServiceContains reports on commodity distribution, shipping data, weekly retail activity reports, commodity procurement, fair trade practices and more.
- U.S. Census - Statistics of U.S. BusinessesGrocery - NAICS 4244
- Supermarket FactsAnnual data released by the Food Marketing Institute
- The Progressive Grocer 100Progressive Grocer's annual ranking of the top 100 U.S. supermarket operators.
Industry Associations
Some content listed in these links may be for "members only".
- Consumer Brands Association (CBA)Formerly known as the Grocery Manufacturers Association
- Food Industry Business RoundtableSponsors Programs and Events and lists regulatory guidelines and resources for food safety
Additional Internet Resources
- U.S. Grocery Retailer Preference Index, 2022Issued annually by Dunnhumby and includes supermarket rankings
- U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends, 2023The executive summary of the annual Food Marketing Institute's report.
- U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends: the impact of COVID-192020 report from FMI and the Hartman Group
- Online Grocery Landscape Report, 2022Infographic published by Acosta and reviews grocery shopping behavior in multiple channels
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Online GroceryA 2020 report from GetFabric
- Brick Meets ClickTracks e-commerce in the grocery sector. Look under the 'Insights' tab for data and reports.
- Acosta - News & PublicationsContains many reports, infographics, articles and other content
- Grocery DoppioContains reports, articles and other trending content
- Inmar Intelligence - Thought LeadershipReports covering a wide variety of topics related to the grocery industry (coupons, e-commerce, shopper insights, etc.)
- The Lempert ReportPublished by Phil Lempert's Supermarket Guru
- The Shelby ReportNews and insights on many aspects of the food retail industry
- Retail CPG and FMCGVarious reports from Nielsen IQ
- FoodTech 2020Annual report from Thrive AgriFood listing the "top 50 growth stage companies disrupting the future of food and agriculture"
- Private Label Report, 2022Published annually by the Private Label Manufacturers Association
- Consumer Demand for Private BrandsA 2021 report published by IRI
- Foodservice 2025Published by the Hale Group and covers restaurants and supermarkets
- Nourish Trend Report, 2022Contains in-depth overview of many organic, natural, and sustainable food trends
- Reinventing the GrocerA 2022 report published by Deloitte
- Grocery Transformation: how grocers' tech transformations are leading to greater profitabilityA 2022 report by IHL Group
- Slow Road to Zero: report card on U.S. supermarkets' path to zero food wasteA 2019 report from GroceryWaste.com
- Consumer Pulse SurveyA 2023 report from KPMG highlighting online and in-store grocery spend
- Grocery Industry Digital Maturity Benchmark, 2022Issued by Incisiv