Scope your market
Demand: Is there a desire for your product or service?
Market size: How many people would be interested in your offering?
Economic indicators: What is the income range and employment rate?
Location: Where do your customers live and where can your business reach?
Market saturation: How many similar options are already available to consumers?
Pricing: What do potential customers pay for these alternatives?
Source: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/market-research-competitive-analysis
Market research
The Library has numerous e-resources that can help with your research: Here is our full list of research guides on specific industries.
You should particularly consult our guide to Market research which highlights our subscribed resources. If you need to carry out your own research we have books on questionnaire design and how to carry out market research. Just search for market research in the Library catalogue.
Product data
Product data - In our databases you can search for companies by industry sector, which to a degree provides product data. The British Library’s Business and IP Centre has a good collection of product directories.On the web there is the Kompass service which provides very detail product descriptions and links to companies who manufacture or distribute them.
For the USA try ThomasNet to find manufacturers, distributors and service providers.
Further Guidance
The Business and IP Centre (British Library, London)The BIPC offers business research and intellectual property information, workshops and events, plus one-to-one advice and patent information and advice.