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FASH 763 - Fashion Promotion

Using Company Websites

Official web presences for your selected company can be useful sources:

  • Corporate website  -- find business facts, announcements, reports, etc.
  • Web store -- analyze product offerings and how they are presented
  • Social media - analyze how is the company engaging with its customers

However, be sure to review this information with a critical eye. Naturally companies want to present themselves as positively as possible, so will gloss over shortcomings or problems.

When reviewing company websites, consider:

  • How factual is this information?
  • What are the sources for their facts?
  • Is the company legally obligated to provide this information?
  • Who is the information intended for? (Customers, investors, etc.)
  • What is the purpose or intent of this information? (To report, to advertise, etc.)
  • What message is being conveyed?

External news articles and reports about your company can provide alternative viewpoints, which will help you develop a well-rounded analysis.

Business Source Premier: Companies

Want to learn more about a company and their products?

Select "Advanced Search" on the Business Source Premier home page and expand the filters and use the "Publication Type" drop down menu and select "Company Profile" to look for articles and reports, such as a Marketline Report, which details the company's products, services, and other key information.

Data Axle - U.S. Business Search

To locate info about local and small U.S. businesses:

Start at the Data Axle link above

Then go to 

and use the Custom Search to search by general location, business size, and other factors.

Click Update Count, then View Results when you're done building the search.

Click the company name to review their report.

D&B Hoovers: Company Search

This database will provide detailed information on US and international businesses. (Link is at the bottom of this box.)

 

In the list of results, locate the "Public Parent" record for your company. (TIP: If you are researching a company that belongs to a larger parent company, you may want to look at both records.)

 

company search result list

Click the company name to review their report.

Locating Annual Reports

Public companies are required by law to openly share some of their financial and business records. Annual reports are an especially useful source of this information. These are also known as 10-K reports. (Private companies do not provide annual reports to the public.)

Two places to find them:

  • The company's investor/corporate website
  • The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website (linked below)

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