Researching Your Market

4. Low-cost Research

4.1 Make use of existing data which is freely available.

• Trade associations often collect data from their members, which will give you a good insight into your industry. To find the relevant association, visitwww.taforum.org, a searchable database of trade associations in the UK.
• Some large libraries and universities will have relevant statistics. Visit www.cim.co.uk/cim/dev/html/couQua.cfm for a searchable database of universities and colleges accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing. University departments or experts working in your field are likely to have data they can provide free of charge or at a low cost.
• If you use Internet search engines such as www.yahoo.co.uk or www.google.co.uk, check that the data is the most recent.
• Government databases are a useful source of statistics. Visit www.statistics.gov.uk for a wide range of searchable national statistics (0845 601 3034).
• Contact trade publications as they may have collected useful data from subscribers.

4.2 Many market research statistics can be purchased.

• Visit www.reports.mintel.com where you can buy reports analysing market trends, purchasing habits, consumer attitudes and trends in a number of sectors.
• You can buy market research reports on the building, construction and home-improvement products industry from AMA Research.
• Visit www.marketresearch.com. This searchable database of worldwide reports includes research from over 700 companies.

4.3 Your local business support organisation can provide advice on specialist research sources.