FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does it cost to run a query?

Nothing...it's FREE!! You can do as many queries as necessary to customize your database. After you perform a query, you will be given a count of the number of records that match your query with a price quote.

How much will my list cost?

See our Pricing Page for a complete breakdown of prices.

Do I need to register to perform a query?

No. You are not required to register until you are ready to make a purchase.

What is CSG Data Intel?

CSG Data Intel is a robust web-based application that allows you to query data elements and personnel titles across all retail and foodservice industries. All information in the database has been researched by Chain Store Guide. Use CSG Data Intel to target headquarters, regional and divisional offices, distribution centers and wholesalers.

Once you have built your customized database, you will automatically receive a price quote based upon the number of records that match your criteria selection. Once purchased, the data can then be downloaded to your desktop application.

Who is Chain Store Guide?

For more than 75 years, Chain Store Guide (CSG) has been the leading provider of comprehensive and definitive retail and foodservice intelligence to businesses around the world.

The effort, commitment and dedication to quality demonstrated by the founders of Chain Store Guide have served as the model for continued excellence.

As retail channels and industries developed, Chain Store Guide was there to define the markets. Today, Chain Store Guide continues to be a primary source of information that business professionals rely on for timely and accurate data on the evolving retail and foodservice industries.

Chain Store Guide is a subsidiary of Lebhar-Friedman, Inc., publisher of such industry standards as Nation's Restaurant News, Chain Store Age and Retailing Today.

How is Chain Store Guide data different from other list sources?

Chain Store Guide conducts primary research through its in-house staff of dedicated editors and call center professionals. Every company listed in the database is contacted by phone, fax, mail or email to verify the information and ensure its completeness and accuracy. CSG's editorially defined universe of retail and foodservice operators consists of independents and chain operators that have been thoroughly researched and validated to meet strict criteria for inclusion.

How often is your information updated?

Chain Store Guide's in-house research staff updates companies on a daily basis to ensure that our information remains current and correct.

Who uses Chain Store Guide data?

Chain Store Guide data is used by manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, brokers, real estate professionals, retailers, analysts, consultants and virtually anyone seeking to do business with or gain insight into any retail or foodservice market in the U.S. and Canada.

Do you have data on individual store locations?

Yes! CSG's retail locations database contains more than 390,000 store units operated by leading chain and independent companies across all major retail and foodservice segments. Please call us at 1-800-778-9795 to inquire about our Store Location Databases.

What is considered a record?

One person per company is considered one record; multiple people per company are considered multiple records. To illustrate, if you select the President, CEO, Human Resource and Loss Prevention personnel within ABC Company, you have the potential for returning 4 records.

What is considered a data element?

With each basic CSG Data Intel search, the information you'll be able to export includes: Industry name, Company I.D., Company name, Contact name, Contact title, Address, City, State, Zip and Company phone. Each of these is considered a data element. Additional data elements available for purchase include, but are not limited to, email addresses, product line and average checkout.

Why do I get more than one record per company in export?

If you select "all records per person" on the personnel screen, you will get more than one contact per company. Therefore, if you only want one record per company, select "one record per company".

The counts returned are very low. Why does this happen?

This sometimes happens when mutually exclusive criteria are selected. One piece of criteria, e.g., number of stores, can inadvertently eliminate a large number of companies if the numbers are too restricted. Relax the criteria selected and re-run your query. This can also happen when selections are made on the Personnel Category without using the Title Slug option. Use the title slug option to ensure that every company that meets all other selection criteria is represented with at least one record.

Into what formats can I export the data?

Any Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

Is CSG data available in alternate formats?

Data contained in the CSG database is available in multiple formats, including directories, CD-ROMs, online and customized reports. For a full description of CSG products, please go to www.csgis.com.

Who do I contact if I need assistance or don't see what I'm looking for?

Support is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Standard Time. Feel free to contact us by email at info@csgdataintel.com or phone at 800-365-6934. We can customize the data for you if you do not see exactly what you are looking for.

How will I pay for my list?

At the end of your transaction, you will be prompted to enter your secure credit card information. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

I forgot my password; what do I do?

You do not need a password to perform queries. If you have already registered in order to purchase, and have forgotten your password, simply click on the "Forgot Password" link and enter your e-mail address, your password will be e-mailed to you.

How do I update my account information?

Login to "My Account" and update your information at any time.

Do you provide custom research services?

In addition to our core information-based products, CSG provides business-to-business custom research services. If your business requires custom or original research, CSG provides quantitative and qualitative research services including questionnaire design, phone and email data collection, fieldwork, tabulation and analysis.

Leveraging the experience of our in-house staff of Research Editors and call center professionals, we can perform custom data collection that goes beyond what is contained in our traditional products.

While the research costs vary depending upon the nature of the custom assignment, we have proven that CSG can be cost competitive compared to other firms that you may be using. Call 1-800-465-7661 for more information.

Can I access my account from any PC?

Absolutely! Once you register with a login and password, you can access your account from anywhere!

Can other office personnel access CSG Data Intel at the same time?

Yes! There can be an unlimited number of employees searching our database at the same time. No login, password or purchase is required to query the database.

Is your site secure?

We use industry-standard processes and procedures to safeguard the confidentiality of your personal information, such as firewalls, secure socket layers and password protection, where appropriate. However, "perfect security" does not exist on the Internet. This Privacy Policy may be modified from time to time; notice of changes will appear on this page, so check back often. Any such changes will be prospective, never retroactive. If you have concerns or questions about any aspect of this policy, please e-mail our Privacy Policy Coordinator at webmaster@csgdataintel.com.