Marketing & Retail Resources

Engaging with different types of resources will help you understand your industry on a deeper level.

Caution

When using resources on this guide, continue to evaluate credibility and relevance for your audience. A resource can be considered credible in one situation but questionable in another, or its quality can suddenly degrade. Additionally, credible resources can still contain problematic content like content marketing, inaccurate opinion pieces, flawed research, or misrepresented evidence.

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations and trade associations promote their industries and provide networking opportunities to members. Their websites offer information and educational materials for professionals in the industry.

The following examples are organizations for professionals in marketing-related fields:

Trade Publications

Trade journals or trade magazines provide industry-specific insights, giving prospective professionals an insider’s view of the field.

The following examples are trade publications with a focus on marketing:

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Popular Magazines

Popular magazines, although aimed at a general audience, can be useful for understanding an industry in a larger context or from a consumer’s point of view.

Popular magazines that might be useful to marketing professionals include:

Note, this publication is ending it’s print version in the fall of 2026.

Newspapers

Newspapers cover current events relevant to professionals in all fields.

Newspapers with relevant coverage for marketers include:

New York Times

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Wall Street Journal

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Podcasts

Most industries have reputable experts who post, stream, or podcast about their chosen field, providing an insider’s look. These types of information resources vary widely and require vetting, but can be credible.

The following resources offer perspectives on marketing:

Websites

Resources that don’t fall into a specific category can offer useful information. The following sites cover topics relevant to marketers:

Books

Most industries have notable books that insiders find useful or that have had an influence on that industry. Asking insiders is the best way to find out which books are considered essential in your field.

Here are a few examples of influential marketing books:

Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen (Donald Miller)
Click Here: The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and Advertising (Alex Schultz)
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (Robert B. Cialdini)
This Is Marketing (Seth Godin)

Scholarly Journals

Scholarly journals publish in depth research, usually conducted by professors.

The following resources offer academic perspectives on marketing: