Apple Inc.&nbsp;Business Reports

Music Production & Distribution Industry Report

Overview

The US music production and distribution industry includes about 3,700 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $15 billion. Major companies include Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. The industry is highly concentrated: the top eight companies account for 80 percent of industry revenue.

SIC: 2731, 7389

NAICS: 512240, 512230, 512220, 512290, 512210

Sample Questions & Answers

How have the studio’s sales been affected by piracy?

Sales of music via legitimate CDs and downloads have been declining for years because of the pervasiveness of illegal copying. In part because the industry was been slow to move into digital music distribution, many consumers found it easier to...

How does the studio get its products in front of the public?

The shift by many consumers from specialty music stores to high-volume discount chains makes gaining shelf space harder for small labels. The demise of music retailers such as Tower Records and Musicland has decreased the number of outlets offering...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Music Production & Distribution Industry Report

Retail Sector Industry Report

Overview

The US retail industry includes about 1 million outlets with combined annual revenue of about $4 trillion. Major companies include Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Kroger, Costco, and Target. While large companies dominate some retail sectors (such as mass merchandisers and grocery stores), other sectors (such as auto dealers and convenience stores) are fragmented. Many specialty retailers are single-store operations.

SIC: 5983, 5984, 5989, 5992, 5993, 5994, 5995, 5999, 7389, 5211, 5231, 5251, 5261, 5271, 5311, 5331, 5399, 5411, 5421, 5431, 5441, 5451, 5461, 5499, 5511, 5521, 5531, 5541, 5551, 5561, 5571, 5599, 5611, 5621, 5632, 5641, 5651, 5661, 5712, 5713, 5714, 5722, 5731, 5734, 5735, 5736, 5912, 5921, 5932, 5941, 5942, 5943, 5944, 5945, 5946, 5947, 5948, 5961, 5962

NAICS: 445299, 445310, 446110, 446120, 446130, 446191, 446199, 447110, 447190, 448110, 448120, 448130, 448140, 448150, 448190, 448210, 448310, 454319, 454390, 448320, 451110, 451120, 451130, 451140, 451211, 451212, 451220, 452111, 452112, 452910, 452990, 453110, 453210, 453220, 453310, 453910, 453920, 453930, 453991, 453998, 454111, 454112, 454113, 454210, 454311, 454312, 441110, 441120, 441210, 441221, 441222, 441229, 441310, 441320, 442110, 442210, 442291, 442299, 443111, 443112, 443120, 443130, 444110, 444120, 444130, 444190, 444210, 444220, 445110, 445120, 445210, 445220, 445230, 445291, 445292

Sample Questions & Answers

How sensitive is the company's business to the economy?

Economic factors, including personal income, consumer confidence, job growth, and interest rates, can greatly affect consumer spending and the retail sector. During recessionary periods, retail sales growth can slow drastically and even decline.

How does the company compete with large retailers?

In many retail segments, large companies dominate and hold the majority of the market. Even specialty retailers in fragmented markets must compete with mass merchandisers and warehouse clubs that offer a smaller selection of comparable merchandise at...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Retail Sector Industry Report

Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing Industry Report

Overview

The computer peripheral equipment manufacturing industry in the US includes about 650 companies with combined annual revenue of about $9 billion. Major companies include Lexmark (printers), Logitech (based in Switzerland, producer of keyboards, mice, and peripherals), and divisions of larger manufacturers such as NCR and Diebold (point of sale equipment and ATMs). Peripheral equipment is also produced by large computer and electronics manufacturers such as Apple, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell. The industry is highly concentrated: the top 50 companies account for about 80 percent of revenue.

SIC: 3577

NAICS: 334119

Sample Questions & Answers

How do changes in technology impact the company?

The industry is characterized by rapid shifts in technology. The life cycle of new products can be very short, and existing products are continually updated and enhanced, which requires companies to operate in a perpetual state of R&D. As the market...

What are the key drivers of demand for the company's products?

The industry is dependent on the health of the overall economy because demand is driven by business capital spending, consumer spending, and sales to computer manufacturers. Tight credit markets, like those experienced in the late-2000s recession,...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing Industry Report

Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturing Industry Report

Overview

The US telecommunications equipment manufacturing industry includes about 1,500 companies with combined annual revenue of about $45 billion. Major companies include Apple, Cisco Systems, Motorola Solutions, and QUALCOMM. The industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 80 percent of revenue.

SIC: 3663, 3661

NAICS: 334210, 334220

Sample Questions & Answers

How does the company adjust to changes in demand?

Although manufacturers sell mainly to telecom service providers, demand for services depends on the economic situation of businesses and consumers. Small changes in demand largely affect manufacturers: in the mid-2000s, the industry grew by nearly 20...

To what extent does the company expect that continuing deregulation will increase technological innovation?

Demand for new telecom equipment depends partly on the types of services various providers can offer per federal regulations. The FCC and state regulators greatly affect the structure and operations of the telecom services industry. Because of rapid...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturing Industry Report

Bookstores Industry Report

Overview

The US bookstores industry includes about 10,000 stores with combined annual revenue of about $16 billion. Major companies include Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million. The industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for about 85 percent of sales.

SIC: 5942

NAICS: 451211

Sample Questions & Answers

How has the increased competition from online-only booksellers affected growth?

Book sales for Internet and mail order retailers are estimated at about $7 billion, cutting into sales for bookstores. Since Amazon.com's introduction, traditional bookstore sales have gone from growing faster than total retail sales to growing more...

How does the company plan to grow revenue when pricing has remained flat?

Consumer prices for trade books (fiction, nonfiction, adult, children’s) remained flat between 2000 and 2010. Publishers indirectly set maximum retail prices, so retailers must rely on increased volume or decreased discounts to sustain profitability.

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Bookstores Industry Report

TV Program Production & Distribution Industry Report

Overview

The US TV program production and distribution industry includes about 500 companies with combined annual revenue of about $15 billion. Major companies are NBCUniversal, CBS Television Studios, Disney/ABC, Twentieth Century Fox Television, Warner Bros Television Group, and Sony Pictures Television. TV program production and distribution is part of the motion picture production and distribution industry, which is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for about 80 percent of industry revenue.

SIC: 7812, 7822

NAICS: 512110, 512120

Sample Questions & Answers

How is the company challenged by the high cost to finance TV programs?

Producing TV programs is expensive and costs occur well in advance of revenue. An hour-long network show can cost as much as $3 million to produce. Pilots for series are especially risky, as financial backing can cease at multiple stages before,...

How does the company determine the potential success of a TV program, series, commercial, or other product?

Despite the larger number of exhibition outlets for TV programs, many productions are financial failures. The major networks combined accept fewer than 25 percent of TV pilots, a large percentage of which never air or run a complete season, due to...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

TV Program Production & Distribution Industry Report

Computer Software Industry Report

Overview

The US computer software industry involves about 60,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $240 billion. About 60 percent of industry revenue comes from software publishing; custom programming accounts for the remainder. Large companies include Adobe Systems, CA, Microsoft, Oracle, and Symantec. The US packaged software segment is concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 70 percent of revenue. The US custom programming segment is highly fragmented.

SIC: 7372

NAICS: 511210

Sample Questions & Answers

How does the company manage shifts in customer technology spending?

Demand for specific types of software depends on different end-user trends, but overall demand follows corporate and consumer spending on computers. Recessionary trends such as budget cuts and reduced access to credit result in declining computer...

How is the company addressing the shortened shelf-life of products?

Because of the rapid development of new products and technologies, software has a relatively short shelf-life. Although software may be in general use for many years, the effective sales period is short. Failure to develop new products or delays in...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Computer Software Industry Report

Computer Manufacturing Industry Report

Overview

The US computer manufacturing industry includes about 1,200 companies with combined annual revenue of about $75 billion. Major companies include Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM. The industry is highly concentrated: the top 50 companies generate about 90 percent of revenue.

SIC: 3575, 3572, 3571

NAICS: 334111, 334113, 334112

Sample Questions & Answers

What level of US and global demand does the company expect for its products in the next year?

Sales of computer equipment depend on rising consumer income and corporate profits. Although consumers and businesses typically replace computers every few years, they can easily delay doing so if finances are weak. While sales of computers tend to...

What product price changes does the company anticipate in the next year?

Demand for computers and peripheral equipment is related to steadily lower prices. Without continuing price declines, the market would probably shrink. In the last decade, manufacturer prices have dropped 50 percent overall.

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Computer Manufacturing Industry Report

Search, Detection, Navigation & Guidance System Manufacturing Industry Report

Overview

The US search, detection, and navigation equipment manufacturing industry includes about 500 companies with combined annual revenue of about $50 billion. Major companies include FLIR Systems and the US operations of Japan's Furuno and the US operations of Switzerland's Garmin. Divisions of large integrated companies such as Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon also manufacture search, detection, and navigation equipment, primarily for national security and defense applications. The industry is highly concentrated: the largest eight companies account for about 75 percent of revenue; the largest 50 account for about 95 percent.

SIC: 3663, 3812

NAICS: 334511, 334220

Sample Questions & Answers

How dependent is the company on government contracts?

The Departments of Defense and Homeland Security use navigation, search, and detection systems extensively. Government purchases account for a large percentage of industry revenues. Major changes in agency budgets can significantly impact the...

How is the company driving product innovation?

Search, detection, and navigation equipment companies compete in both commercial and government markets based on product innovation. Some companies spend as much as 10 percent of revenue on new technology developments. The rapidity of innovation...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Search, Detection, Navigation & Guidance System Manufacturing Industry Report