Do any of you know where I could find industry statistics for the custom cake industry? It's grown exponentially in the past several years and I'm just not sure how to find any concrete numbers on this information.

Pretty Please, with a cherry on top???

I don't know that there's anyone keeping track of that specific thing...The closest thing that I've seen is wedding statistics, which include basics about wedding cakes, but even that isn't too specific. http://weddingindustrystatistics.com/ http://www.theweddingreport.com/

Here are a few starting points:
http://valuationresources.com/Reports/SIC5461RetailBakeries.htm
https://www.aibonline.org/resources/statistics/generalmarket.html

Industry reports can be pretty expensive (some are $3000+) but if you have access to a university library they may get these reports for free. When I was in business school I would regularly get free IBISWorld reports for various industries through our library, you just have to watch out for which market segment the report covers since their segmentation may differ from the data you want to see.

Thanks... I've found a ton of information on Supermarket bakeries and other "in store" bakeries, baked goods that are sold in the supermarket (hostess, etc.). Statistics on how much is spent on a wedding, gowns, reception, caterers, etc... BUT very little seems to be published that addresses the changes in cake sales and purchases over the past 5 years.

I mean... before Ace of Cakes, Cake Boss, Food Network Challenge... people weren't really into custom cakes and edible artwork. Now... everyone knows someone who has had a custom cake or they themselves have ordered one... It's commonplace. I'd be so thrilled to see these changes documented in a measurable form.

Why do you want the information? I'm a research nut, but to get my answers I use in my business, I don't need reports. If you know where to look and how to research it, it is all right there one the web. If you were doing a research paper I can understand. But if you want it for your own business, applying basic economic research will get the results needed. This is what a marketing agency would do for a local business.