Retail Trade

This category represents the interests of professionals and businesses engaged in the selling of goods to individuals.

Sub-headings:

Apparel & Accessory Stores

Individuals and businesses engaged in the selling of clothing, shoes, jewelry, and other accessory-related goods.

Resources in this category:

American Booksellers Association
http://www.bookweb.org/

"Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers Association is a trade organization pledged to protecting the well-being of book retailers and to promoting the availability of books. We are dedicated to representing the interests of booksellers on national and international issues. We are committed to education, research and the dissemination of information to the bookselling community worldwide. Members include independents, specialty, franchise, college and university stores, chains and others with a special interest in bookselling. Together they constitute a key part of an industry which generates over $9 billion in bookstore sales annually in the United States alone." Site contains an impressive database of member bookstores, which can be searched or browsed by location, name or specialty; entries include street address, email address, and links to store Web sites. Also includes book news, listings of book fairs and festivals, trade shows, and conventions; and bookselling statistics.

American Wholesale Marketers Association
http://www.awmanet.org/

"The American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA) is a non-profit, national trade association serving more than 3,000 companies involved in the distribution, manufacture and retail sale of convenience products. Members consist of wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers, brokers and others involved in the convenience products industry. From maker to market, the association has benefits and services to fill every channel member's needs." This site provides links to information regarding benefits and member services, publications and products, peer resource networking, legislation and regulations, conference registration, education and research, and seminars.

British Toy and Hobby Association
http://www.btha.co.uk/

"The BTHA was founded in 1944 to represent the interests of British toy manufacturers and to raise standards of practice in the industry. Today, the Association has 220 members who, between them, are responsible for over 95% of the British market for toys and games, valued at £1.6bn. The BTHA also organises the British International Toy & Hobby Fair at Olympia."

Hobby Industry Association
http://www.hobby.org/

Founded in 1940, it now has over 4,100 member companies. Businesses who want to join HIA must meet membership qualifications. The HIA provides services including market research, education, certification, and publishes the National Craft Month. It organizes the "world's largest craft & hobby trade show" each January in the U.S, and in the Netherlands in March, which are open only to industry professionals. Exploring this website is fun! It is well organized, the graphics are pretty and it contains lots of information. It has a section for members only and is passworded.

The International Laser Tag Association
http://www.lasertag.org/

"The International Laser Tag Association is a non-profit trade association that serves three purposes: (1) to help member manufacturers' place more systems; (2) to help center operators become more profitable; (3) to help promote the laser tag community as a whole. This sites contains information on getting into the lasertag business, list of manufacturers, list of suppliers, links to other laser tag URL's, the ability to find Where To Play, services provided by the ILTA."

National Association of College Stores
http://www.nacs.org/

"The National Association of College Stores (NACS) is the trade association representing stores which sell principally to students. There are more than 3,000 NACS member stores in the United States, Canada, and a dozen other countries. Associate members of NACS total 1,100 firms supplying books and other products through the nation's college stores. The site contains links to more than 125 college and university stores as well as links to more than 20 firms that supply products to the collegiate retailing market. The site also contains information on educational sessions and cost-saving benefit programs that NACS offers to its members."

National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers
http://www.namad.com/

"The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD) is a 425 member, non-profit, tax exempt organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1980, NAMAD is committed to increasing opportunities for minorities in the automobile industry." Browse the site to "find the Officers, Dealer Directory,Schedules and Legislative Updates that can affect you."

National Automobile Dealers Association
http://www.nada.org/

"The National Automobile Dealers Association serves and represents the retail car and truck dealer, dealership managers and employees. NADA was born in 1917 when a group of dealers set out to change the way Congress viewed automobiles. Thirty dealers from state and local associations went to Washington to convince Congress that cars weren't luxuries as they had been classified, but were vital to the economy. Today, NADA's membership totals more than 19,400 domestic and import franchised members. "

National Craft Association
http://www.craftassoc.com/

NCA is an "association of artisans, who range from hobbyist or beginner, to the seasoned professionals who sell their work." It's mission is "to link arts and craft entrepreneurs with the resources to assist them to succeed and thrive in their business." Members are artisans, with varying styles and different levels of expertise, from a diverse range of hand crafted art work. The NCA maintains the Craft Connection Shopping Mall, for artisans to display and sell their work on the Internet. The website's front page places emphasis on the Shopping Mall, scroll down to get to the Association's description. It has several clickable buttons to explore. This website is updated frequently.

National Mail Order Association
http://www.nmoa.org/

"The National Mail Order Association is a 27 year old organization that provides education, information and contacts to the direct marketing industry. It's main focus is helping small to midsize companies." Website includes an information library, a newsletter, new product listings, membership information, and a 'members only' section.

National Retail Federation
http://www.nrf.com/content/default.asp?folder=home&file=main...

"As the world¹s largest retail trade association, NRF¹s mission is to conduct programs and services in research, education, training, information technology, and government affairs to protect and advance the interests of the retail industry. NRF's membership includes the leading department, specialty, independent, discount, and mass merchandise stores in the United States and 50 nations around the world. NRF represents more than 100 state, national and international trade organizations, which have members in most lines of retailing. NRF also includes in its membership key suppliers of goods and services to the retail industry." Find publications here, information on government affairs that relate to the retail industry, a calendar of events and conferences, information technology issues, and directories (i.e. an industry supplier guide).

National Wood Carvers Association
http://www.chipchats.org/

"NWCA's aims are to promote woodcarving fellowship among its members; encourage exhibitions and area get-togethers; list tool and wood suppliers, and find markets for those who sell their work. From a handful of members at its beginning, the NWCA has grown to over 56,000 members. Currently, the NWCA has members in each of the 50 United States and in 47 countries from around the globe!"

Parachute Industry Association
http://pia.com/

Association for parachute manufacturers and equipment dealers. Site features a yellow pages linking to members, jump clubs, and skydiving organizations; information their annual symposium, and meetings and committee information. PIA specifications are also available for sale here.

Society of American Florists
http://www.safnow.org/

"Chartered by an act of Congress in 1884, the Society of American Florists (SAF) is the only national trade association that represents all segments of the U. S. floral industry. SAF's 16,000 members comprise the industry's top retailers, growers, wholesalers, importers, manufacturers, suppliers, educators, students and allied organizations." This site includes industry trends and other information, upcoming events, and membership information.