Associations and Organizations
Professional and trade associations often collect industry statistics, maintain directories, publish white papers and research reports, and information related to industry news, trends and forecasts, technological developments, regulatory information, in addition to organizing conferences, and more. Information retrieved from associations can often be very helpful, since they usually provide a unique insider perspective.
Associations regularly provide free access to their information on their website, although in some instances a membership may be required. Look for a section on the website entitled: Resources, Research, News, Library, Statistics, or Data.
A selection of leading associations for the Retail industry are listed below. Alternatively, you can identify other associations of relevance by using the following sources and strategies.
- Canada Info Desk This link opens in a new window
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Canada Info Desk, also known as Canada’s Information Resource Centre, integrates the content of 6 directories into a single online Canadian resource – making it the most comprehensive directory database in Canada. The database provides users with access to over 100,000 Canadian organizations, contacts, facts and figures in one easy-to-use online resource. To locate relevant associations: uncheck all directories, with the exception of ‘Canadian Almanac & Directory’ > enter keyword(s) into the search box > click search. - IBISWorld This link opens in a new window
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IBISWorld industry reports can provide a list of relevant associations and organizations. See the section ‘Additional Resources’ under ‘About this Industry’.
- GoogleGoogle can be very useful to locate relevant associations with keywords:
Retail AND associations AND Canada
Selected Associations
- Retail Council of Canada (RCC)RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing more than 45,000 store fronts of all retail formats across Canada, including department, specialty, discount, and independent stores, and online merchants.
- The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA)The CFA is a national, not-for-profit association representing the voice of franchising in Canada.
- National Retail Federation (NRF)NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Available information focuses on the U.S. retail industry.
- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)Based in the US, RILA is a trade association for the world’s leading retail companies.