Wholesale Distribution Research & Insights
Data-driven intelligence that helps distributors, manufacturers, suppliers, and industry leaders understand the trends shaping wholesale distribution.
WHY NAW RESEARCH
For decades, MDM produced the wholesale distribution industry’s leading research reports. Today, that research lives within NAW, where it supports the association’s mission to advance wholesale distribution through trusted data, benchmarking, and thought leadership.
Available Research Resources
Annual Economic Outlook Reports
The NAW Annual Economic Outlook Report is the most comprehensive guide to the $8‑trillion U.S. wholesale distribution industry. Built on deep economic analysis, government data, and academic partnership, it delivers sector‑level forecasts, benchmarking insights, and revenue projections through 2026. With 20 in‑depth sector reports and 109 subsector breakouts, the Outlook provides the clarity leaders need to evaluate market conditions, compare performance, and plan with confidence. It’s the industry’s definitive annual resource for strategic decision‑making.
Issued Annually | $1,995 | No cost to NAW Members
MRO Market Trends Report
The MDM MRO Market Trends Report is the industry’s most comprehensive analysis of the U.S. maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) market. This 59‑page report delivers the deepest data and insight available on market size, sector dynamics, growth drivers, and long‑term trends shaping MRO demand. Published infrequently due to the market’s gradual rate of change, it serves as a definitive reference for distributors, manufacturers, consultants, investment banks, and private equity firms evaluating market opportunities.
The full report is available as a complete edition or as five standalone sector‑specific sections—Industrial, Commercial, Electrical, Construction/Facility, and Electronics—allowing readers to focus on the segments most relevant to their business. With detailed analysis, market modeling, and sector‑level breakdowns, the MRO Report provides unmatched clarity for strategic planning, market sizing, and competitive assessment.
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Whitepapers
Whitepapers deliver deep, research‑driven analysis on the trends, challenges, and emerging opportunities shaping wholesale distribution. Each paper is built from original reporting, interviews with industry leaders, and collaboration with a sponsoring organization to explore a focused strategic topic. These reports provide actionable insights, real‑world examples, and expert perspectives — with full PDF downloads available after a brief contact form.
Published throughout the year | Free
Quarterly Reports
Quarterly Forecast Reports
These comprehensive Forecast Reports are a guide to the U.S. wholesale distribution economy, providing a historical, current and future snapshot of numerous key economic indicators in one convenient place along with our exclusive sector-specific forecasts for 19 different product categories. Its economic indicator data is updated quarterly.
Issued 4/year | $395 each | No cost NAW Members
Quarterly M&A Reports
Our Quarterly Distribution M&A Report is a quarterly analysis of wholesale distribution M&A activity and company EBITDA trading multiples.
Issued 4/year | $395 each | No cost NAW Members
Quarterly MarketPulse Report
MarketPulse is our quarterly research report based upon the results of the quarterly Baird-NAW Industrial Distribution Survey, which polls approximately 400 distributors and manufacturers about past and projected revenue performance, business conditions and pricing impacts — all for the most recently completed quarter, current quarter and rest of year. It also collects plenty of respondent commentary.
Issued 4/year | $395 each | No cost NAW Members
