Business Planning

• Guide to Preparing a Retail Business Plan
  PDF Download
   

• www.bplans.com
  The one stop shop for the development of your business plan.
   

• www.businessplans.org
  This site offers resources for business planning.  It includes different types of tools and examples of various plans.  The “strategy insight” portion allows entrepreneurs to test their own business plans.
   

• www.chainstoreage.com
  The web site for retail executives. Chain Store Age delivers a wealth of information on retailing trends and the forces behind them, with regular sections covering: retail technology; merchandising; shopping center development; marketing; physical support systems; finance; legislative affairs; security; store design and visual display; strategic planning and human resources; distribution and transportation.
   

• www.downtownresources.com
  Downtown Resources is California's leading firm at working with ownership groups on developing business improvement districts used to rebuild urban areas.
   

• www.entrepreneur.com
  The Entrepreneur magazine site contains information and advice for startups, home business and franchises.  The small business center focuses on a different topic every week.  The site includes how-to guides, business news and an “opportunity finder” where visitors can browse business prospects based on investment output or category. 
   

• www.entreworld.org
  EntreWorld delivers useful information, guidance and contacts for the small business owner.
   

• www.envirosell.com
  Envirosell is a behavioral market research and consulting company that specializes in examining consumer shopping behavior using a combination of in-store video recording, observation and customer intercept interviews.
   

• www.franchiseopportunities.com
  Provides you with the Web's largest directory of franchises and franchise business services.
   

• www.franchiserestaurant.com
  Provides a wide variety of restaurant businesses from full service restaurant franchises to the more specialized food service businesses.
   

• www.mycorporation.com
  Provides information on Incorporation, LLC Formation, and Trademark Search Services, has helped tens of thousands of companies across the U.S. get their start.
   

• www.nrf.com
  The NRF Foundation is the center for the collection and dissemination of information about retailing. As such, the Foundation is the link between retailing's past, present and future.  The Foundation conducts research and education programs and promotes awareness of retailing's community involvement.
  
  

• www.score.org
  The score association (service corps of retired executives) is a resource partner with the U.S. small business administration. Score is dedicated to aiding in the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide.
   

• www.startupjournal.com
  The Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs site includes a searchable database of business opportunities, franchises and companies.  Sections also include “how-to,” “ideas,” “financing” and “running a business.”  The “toolkit” section includes information on creating a business plan and a function for performing a trademark search. 
   

• www.teconline.com
  TEC International provides monthly forums for entrepreneurs to work on their businesses.  TEC facilitates groups for chief executives, key executives, division leaders, professional service providers and high school and college students.  On the site is a preview of TEC topics, ranging from setting goals to negotiating business deals.
   

• www.toolkit.cch.com
  The information you need to start, run, and grow a successful small business.

Store Design & Construction

• www.corporategraphics.com
  Corporate Graphics combine strategic, creative and technical expertise to deliver tools that help our clients communicate effectively and efficiently.
   

Trade Associations

• www.boma.com
  The building owners and managers association provides a network forum for industry professionals to discuss mutual problems, exchange ideas and share experience and knowledge.
   

• www.icsc.org
  International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is the global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its members include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, lenders, retailers and other professionals as well as academics and public officials.
   

• www.mainstreet.org
  Works with communities across the nation to revitalize their historic or traditional commercial areas.
   

• www.nationalbusiness.org
  The National Business Association’s Web site offers business advice and news as well as links to other sites.  The political updates section provides concise descriptions of legislation pending in Washington, D.C.
   

• www.uli.org
  The Urban Land Institute researches, analyzes, and encourages responsible patterns for long-term urban growth, as well as conducting inquiries into what constitutes sound real estate development projects and practices.
   

Government

• www.bls.gov
  The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.
   

• http://factfinder.census.gov
  American FactFinder contains statistics about population, housing, industry, business, and your community. It has a list of U.S. Census Bureau products; and can be used to create reference maps, and quick thematic maps. You can also search for specific U.S. Census data.
  
  

• www.sba.gov
  The U.S. Small Business Administration is dedicated to providing customer-oriented, full-service programs and accurate, timely information to the entrepreneurial community.
   

• www.sba.gov/starting/indexbusplans.html
  Contains a business plan outline.
   

• www.uspto.gov
  The United States Patent and trademark office services include processing patents and trademarks and disseminating patent and trademark information.