# Forecasting sales and creating model [closed]

In a assignment we are given macro economic indicators like GDP, Consumer price index, Producer Price index and Industrial production index. Also we are given Crude oil, Sugar prices and FM-CG Sales. We are required to forecast future quarter sales and give a model. As I'm new to this subject, I don't know where to start with it, or what to read. Can anyone provide me with some examples of what to do, or any PDFs which might be helpful.

• I realize you're not sure where to start, but this is quite broad. Maybe you can at least clarify what you want: a paper, a tool, a use case? what is your level of background? Mar 14 '15 at 22:10

Once you are comfortable with your simple model, you can look at more complex ones that do include external causal variables. For instance, you could run ARIMAX models (the X stands for eXternal or eXplanatory variables). For this, look at chapter 8 in the online textbook and check the auto.arima() function in the forecast package for R, where you can specify external variables using the xreg parameter.