HOUSTON, Texas – Plunkett Research, Ltd. recently announced an important market research and competitive analysis report, Plunkett’s Consulting Industry Almanac, 2016 edition. A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms.

Global consulting industry revenues (including HR, IT, strategy, operations, management and business advisory services) will be about $470 billion in 2016, according to Plunkett Research estimates. The consulting industry experienced a slowdown after the 2008-2009 recession, but rising profits means major consulting companies, are seeing a rise in business from corporate clients. The same cannot be said for the government sector where intense budgetary scrutiny has been particularly hard on some consulting firms.

Key Findings:

• Plunkett Research lists 250 companies in Consulting and names top trends changing the industry for the mid term.

Available Formats:

• Printed Almanac: ISBN 978-1-62831-396-3 (Available Now)
• E-book: ISBN 978-1-62831-729-9 (Available Now)
• Online Subscription

Key Features Include:

• Industry trends analysis, market data and competitive intelligence
• Market forecasts and industry statistics
• Industry associations list
• Profiles of leading companies

Pages: 383             

Statistical Tables Provided: 5

Companies Profiled: 257

Geographic Focus: Global

Price: $349.99

Key Questions Answered Include:

• How is the industry evolving? 
• How is the industry being shaped by new technologies? 
• How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
• What is the size of the market now and in the future?
• What are the financial results of the leading companies?
• What are the names and titles of top executives?

This feature-rich book covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the consulting business including:

1. Introduction to the Consulting Industry
2. Management Consulting and Consulting to Major Corporations
3. Consulting to Governments/U.S. Federal and State Consulting Contracts
4. IT Consulting/Software Consulting/Computer Operations Consulting
5. Trends in Manufacturing, such as Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs), Lead to
6. Collaboration and Consulting-Like Services
7. Consulting Firms Accept Assignments with Contingency Fees
8. Accounting Firms Taking Large Market Share of Consulting Contracts
9. Many Industry Sectors Seek Consulting and Outsourcing Income, Competing with Pure
10. Consultancies
11. Major Corporations and Organizations Develop Internal Consultants and Seek Outside Clients
12. Corporate Clients Want Solid Returns on IT Investments
13. Federal Government Consulting Is Curtailed in Some Agencies as Part of Budget
14. Austerity and Defense Cutbacks
15. Offshoring to India Drives Changes in Global Consulting
16. New MBAs Desire Consulting and Accounting Jobs

Consulting Industry Statistics

1. Consulting Industry Statistics and Market Size Overview
2. Consulting Industry Revenue & Expenses, U.S.: 2010-2015
3. Management Consulting Companies: Estimated Sources of Revenue, U.S.: 2010-2014
4. Environmental Consulting Services Revenue, U.S.: 2007-2014
5. Consulting Industry Employment, U.S.: 2010-2016

Companies Mentioned Include:

• Abt Associates Inc
• Arthur D Little
• Helios & Matheson Analytics Inc
• ABB LTD
• Abelica Global
• Affiliated Computer Services Inc
• PA Consulting Group
• Randstad Holding NV
• Amey plc
• Analysts International Corporation

HOUSTON, Texas – Plunkett Research, Ltd. recently announced an important market research and competitive analysis report, Plunkett’s Companion to The Almanac of American Employers Almanac, 2016 edition. A complete market research report, including employer research tips, employment trends and statistics, plus profiles of 500 growing, hiring firms.

Americans who find themselves in the market for a job will need to understand the changes surging through the economy in order to determine which companies to pursue and which to avoid.  The U.S. employment market has evolved dramatically, and job seekers must be both knowledgeable and nimble in order to position themselves to find promising careers.

Key findings:

• Plunkett Research lists top 500 companies for Mid-Size Employers and names top trends affecting job seekers for the mid term

Available Formats:

• Printed Almanac: ISBN 978-1-62831-390-1 (Available Now)
• E-book: ISBN 978-1-62831-723-7 (Available Now)
• Online Subscription

Key Features Include:

• Job market trends analysis, data and competitive intelligence
• Market forecasts and Industry Statistics
• Important Contacts for Job Seekers
• In-Depth Profiles of hundreds of leading companies

Pages: 633             

Statistical Tables Provided: 11

Companies Profiled: 513

Geographic Focus: US

Price: $349.99

Research: 7 Keys for Job Seekers

• Financial Stability
• Growth Plans
• Research & Development Programs
• Product Launch & Production
• Marketing & Distribution Methods
• Employee Benefits
• Quality of Work Factors

This feature-rich book lists the top 500 companies for Mid-Size Employers and names top trends affecting job seekers for the mid term—everything you need to know about the Companion to The Almanac of American Employers including:

1. U.S. Job Market Overview
2. Cost Control Remains a Concern at Employers/Consolidation Through Mergers Continues
3. Unemployment Is Down Substantially Compared to the Recent Past
4. Consumers Spend Less, Save More than the During Last Boom, Affecting a Wide Variety of Companies
5. Technology Continues to Create Sweeping Changes in the Workplace
6. Continued Growth in Outsourcing, Including Supply Chain and Logistics Services
7. Millions Working as Temps
8. Offshoring, Reshoring and the Rebound in American Manufacturing
9. Older Americans Will Delay Retirement and Work Longer/Many Employers Find Older Employees Desirable
10. Employment Sectors that Will Offer an Above-Average Number of Job Opportunities in 2016

Job Seekers Industry Statistics

1. U.S. Employment Overview: 2015-2016
2. U.S. Civilian Labor Force: 1997-2015
3. Employment by Major Industry Sector: 2004, 2014 & Projected 2024
4. Number of People Employed and Unemployed, U.S.: December 2014 vs. December 2015
5. U.S. Labor Force Ages 16 to 24 Years Old by School Enrollment, Educational Attainment,

Sex, Race & Ethnicity: October 2014

6. Medical Care Benefits in the U.S.: Access, Participation and Take-Up Rates, March 2015
7. Retirement Benefits in the U.S.: Access, Participation and Take-Up Rates, March 2015
8. Top 30 U.S. Occupations by Numerical Change in Job Growth: 2014-2024
9. Top 30 U.S. Occupations by Percent Change in Job Growth: 2014-2024
10. Occupations with the Largest Expected Employment Increases, U.S.: 2014-2024
11. Occupations with the Fastest Expected Decline, U.S.: 2014-2024

Research: 7 Keys for Job Seekers

1. Financial Stability
2. Growth Plans
3. Research & Development Programs
4. Product Launch & Production
5. Marketing & Distribution Methods
6. Employee Benefits
7. Quality of Work Factors

Companies Mentioned Include:

• Xaxis
• Premier Inc
• 1-800 Contacts Inc
• 1-800-Flowers.com Inc
• AutoAlliance International Inc
• ArthroCare Corporation
• AAMCO Transmissions Inc
• Denbury Resources Inc
• EnviroStar Inc
• Abaxis Inc

HOUSTON, Texas – Plunkett Research, Ltd. recently announced an important market research and competitive analysis report, Plunkett’s Apparel, Textiles, Clothing & Fashions Industry Almanac, 2016 edition. A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms.

While Chinese manufactures have enjoyed a dominant position in shoes, apparel and household textiles manufacturing for several years, lost cost competition and reshoring are putting a dent in China’s dominance of apparel and textile manufacturing. The rise of the fast fashion trend is also reshaping how companies interact with their suppliers and shippers to stay ahead of the competition. On the consumer side of the industry, online shopping platforms, demographic changes, and the renewed interest in athletic wear are shaping the apparel and textiles industry in new and exciting ways.

Key Findings:

• Plunkett Research lists top 350 companies in Apparel and Textiles and names top trends changing the industry for the mid term.

Available Formats:

• Printed Almanac: ISBN 978-1-62831-383-3 (Availability Now)
• E-book: ISBN 978-1-62831-716-9 (Availability Now)
• Online Subscription

Key Features Include:

• Industry trends analysis, market data and competitive intelligence
• Market forecasts and Industry Statistics
• Industry Associations and Professional Societies List
• In-Depth Profiles of hundreds of leading companies
• Industry Glossary
• Buyer may register for free access to search and export data at Plunkett Research Online
• Link to our 5-minute video overview of this industry

Pages: 473             

Statistical Tables Provided: 11

Companies Profiled: 345

Geographic Focus: Global

Price: $349.99

Key Questions Answered Include:

• How is the industry evolving? 
• How is the industry being shaped by new technologies? 
• How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
• What is the size of the market now and in the future?
• What are the financial results of the leading companies?
• What are the names and titles of top executives?

This feature-rich book covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the apparel, textiles, clothing & fashions business including:

1. Introduction to the Apparel & Textiles Industry
2. Wages Rise in China/Vietnam, Cambodia and Other Countries Gain Manufacturing Market Share
3. Upswing in U.S. Apparel and Textile Manufacturing Jobs as Firms Reshore
4. Working Conditions and Workers’ Rights Become Major Considerations as Work Moves from China to Lower-Cost Nations
5. Exercise Apparel Sales Rise/Athleisure Clothing Sales Soar
6. 3PL Logistics Services and Supply Chain Management Services
7. Bricks, Clicks and Catalogs Create Synergies While Online Sales Growth Surges
8. Plus Sizes Market Evolves to Serve Overweight Consumers
9. Discount Clothing Retailers See Promise in Designer Lines
10. Luxury Apparel, Accessories and Consumer Products Lines Compete for Growth
11. Fast Fashion: Designers and Retailers Speed Up
12. Designers and Manufacturers Bypass the Middleman with Direct-to-Consumer Online Business Models

Apparel & Textiles Industry Statistics

1. Apparel & Textiles Industry Statistics and Market Size Overview
2. U.S. Apparel Manufacturing Producer Price Index (PPI): 2003-2016
3. Percent Change in Annual U.S. Apparel Manufacturing Producer Prices: 2004- January 2016
4. Top 50 Countries Exporting Textiles & Apparel to the U.S., All MFA Fibers: 2014-2015
5. Top 50 Destinations of U.S. Textiles & Apparel Exports: 2014-2015
6. Top 25 Countries Exporting Apparel & Non-Apparel Textiles to the U.S., All MFA Fibers: 2014-2015
7. Top 15 Countries Exporting Fabric, Man-Made Fiber Products, Cotton Products & Wool Products to the U.S., All MFA Fibers: 2014-2015
8. U.S. Retail Sales, Selected Kinds of Businesses: 2009-2015
9. U.S. Retail Sales of Apparel, Shoes & Accessories: 2015
10. Worldwide Cotton Area, Yield & Production: 2013-2016
11. Apparel & Textiles Industry Employment by Business Type, U.S.: 2011-2016

Companies Mentioned Include:

• 3M COMPANY
• Cabela’s Inc
• Abercrombie & Fitch Co
• Motorsports Authentics LLC
• Alpha Pro Tech Ltd
• American Eagle Outfitters Inc
• Ann Inc
• Aramark
• Warnaco Swimwear Inc
• Belk Inc

HOUSTON, Texas – Plunkett Research, Ltd. recently announced an important market research and competitive analysis report, Plunkett’s Advertising & Branding Industry Almanac, 2016 edition. A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms.

The size of the advertising market is difficult to assess.  This is partly due to the fact that the final cost of advertising for any company includes creative and agency costs; local branding and marketing efforts; catalogs, brochures and other printed matter; the creation and maintenance of web sites, email campaigns and social media campaigns; and myriad other components, in addition to expenses for media.  Recently, spending for ads on social media sites and the use of data mining and predictive analytics to study patterns of consumer media use has taken on significant importance within the advertising & branding industry. 

Key Findings:

• Plunkett Research lists top 400 companies in Advertising & Branding and names top trends changing the industry for the mid term.

Available Formats:

• Printed Almanac: ISBN 978-1-62831-392-5 (Availability Now)
• E-book: ISBN 978-1-62831-725-1 (Availability Now)
• Online Subscription

Key Features Include:

• Industry trends analysis, market data and competitive intelligence
• Market forecasts and Industry Statistics
• Industry Associations and Professional Societies List
• In-Depth Profiles of hundreds of leading companies
• Industry Glossary
• Buyer may register for free access to search and export data at Plunkett Research Online
• Link to our 5-minute video overview of this industry

Pages: 500             

Statistical Tables Provided: 10

Companies Profiled: 359

Geographic Focus: Global

Price: $349.99

Key Questions Answered Include:

• How is the industry evolving? 
• How is the industry being shaped by new technologies? 
• How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
• What is the size of the market now and in the future?
• What are the financial results of the leading companies?
• What are the names and titles of top executives?

This feature-rich book covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the advertising & branding business including:

1. Introduction to the Advertising and Branding Industry 
2. Online Advertising Becomes More Targeted, Takes 32.6 Percent Share of U.S. Advertising Market
3. Programmatic Ad Buying Dominates the Market
4. Television Ads Evolve to Face New Challenges, Formats and Online Competitors
5. Embedded Advertising/Product Placement/Branded Entertainment and Marketing Soar
6. Social Media to Generate $23.6 Billion in Global Online and Mobile Ad Revenues
7. Email Reigns as One of the Single Most Effective Advertising Tools
8. Newspapers and Magazines See Excellent Growth in Digital Editions and Apps 
9. Location-Based Technology Delivers Targeted Ads and Discounts/Mobile Advertising
10. LOHAS-Socially Conscious Consumers Create Challenges and Opportunities
11. Hispanic Market Attracts Growing Advertising and Marketing Focus 
12. Growth in Big Data Supported by Expansion of Cloud Computing and Predictive Analytics

Advertising & Branding Industry Statistics

1. Advertising & Branding Industry Statistics and Market Size Overview
2. Estimated U.S. Advertising Sector Revenues by NAICS Code: 2008-2015
3. Advertising Agencies, Public Relations Agencies & Direct Mail Advertising: Estimated Sources of Revenue & Expenses, U.S.: 2008-2014
4. Employment in Advertising & Related Industries, U.S.: 1990-2015
5. Internet Publishing & Broadcasting & Web Search Portals: Estimated Revenue & Expenses, U.S.: 2010-2015
6. Newspaper Publishers: Estimated Sources of Revenue & Expenses, U.S.: 2010-2015
7. Periodical Publishers: Estimated Sources of Revenue & Expenses, U.S.: 2010-2015
8. Radio Networks & Radio Stations: Estimated Sources of Revenue & Expenses, U.S.: 2010-2015
9. Television Broadcasting: Estimated Sources of Revenue & Expenses, U.S.: 2010-2015
10. Cable & Other Subscription Programming: Estimated Sources of Revenue & Expenses, U.S.:2010-2015

Companies Mentioned Include:

• Xaxis
• Belo Corp
• Disney Media Networks
• CBS Radio
• ACME Communications Inc
• Acxiom Corp
• Advance Publications Inc
• Alliance Data Systems Corporation
• Alloy Inc
• Time Warner Inc

A chip, also known as a processor, is the heart of computing devices, including smartphones and the electronics that run modern factories, research facilities and even automobiles and aircraft.  Simply put, chips process information. The faster, the better.

Hot-off-the-Press:  

All the information you need about the global wireless industry can be found at Plunkett Research, including our Computer & Software Industry Research Center online, and our just-published, completely-updated Plunkett’s InfoTech Industry Almanac, 2017 edition.

Dollars & Details:

Apple, Google, Amazon and Microsoft are competing to offer the best voice-activated systems that can do anything from reporting the time and weather, to playing music on request, to performing web searches, to telling jokes, to making purchases from internet sites. 

There’s much more here than meets the eye (or ear).  These platforms utilize the latest in artificial intelligence in order to become more useful over time.  Apple’s Siri is available on iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and through an app in some vehicles.  Google Now is an app available on a variety of mobile devices as is Microsoft’s Cortana app.  Amazon’s Alexa web app is installed on a gadget called Amazon Echo that sits on a countertop.  Google offers a similar device called Google Home.  All of these apps and platforms are voice-activated, and use connections to other apps and systems to find information such as directions, time, date, weather and trivia, or make purchases, which are reported audibly (users can choose their device’s voice gender and language). 

The next step is for these handy assistants to completely control your home, and much of your life, with apps relating to climate control, lighting, appliances, security and much more.  This will enable users to simply say, for example, “Set home temperature to 72 degrees,” or “Activate alarm system,” and have the action performed, even from remote locations.

Trends and Theories:

Importantly, these systems are open to third-party developers.  For example, Amazon has opened “Lex” to developers, which is the artificial intelligence engine behind the Alexa and Echo platforms.  Lex is tied into Amazon’s AWS cloud computing system.  Software and product developers can incorporate Lex, enabling voice-activated or click-activated responsiveness (often in the form of specific task-oriented icons or apps known as “bots”).  This gives these developers instant access to extremely powerful cloud computing, artificial intelligence and voice-activation in one easy-to-launch package.  Amazon charges a modest fee per thousand uses or data accesses.  Microsoft’s Cortana is being incorporated into applications by companies like Harman Kardon.  Apple’s Siri is part of its CarPlay platform, being picked up by major car makers.  This ease-of-use has spurred a tidal wave of new product development worldwide, with the potential to revolutionize the manner in which consumers interface with virtually everything.

Ranks and Results: 

Hot-off-the-Press:  

All the information you need about the global InfoTech industry can be found at Plunkett Research, including our computers and software research center online, and our just-published, completely-updated Plunkett’s Infotech Industry Almanac, 2017 edition.