If you are looking for an overview of an industry, you should see the Plunkett research guides in our Reference collection. We also have their books on advertising, e-commerce, apparel, entertainment and food. Here is what Plunkett has to say about their Retail almanac.
Plunkett's retail industry almanac 2009 : the only comprehensive guide to the retail industryRef HF 5429 .P586 2009
"This exciting new book covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis--everything you need to know about the retail business, including:
1. Analysis of major retailing and retail store business trends and markets.
2. Historical retail industry statistics and tables.
3. Profiles of major chain store and specialty store operators, such as The Gap, Barnes & Noble, Intimate Brands and many, many more.
4. Profiles of food retailers of all types, from convenience store operators like 7-11 to giant supermarket chains like Albertsons and HEB.
5. Emerging technologies, including self checkout and RFID (radio frequency ID tag).
6. Profiles and trends of top department store chains, including Dillards, Saks, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus.
7. Profiles and trends of leading discount store and warehouse club operators, like Wal-Mart, Costco and Target.
8. A discussion of trends in e-commerce and Internet-based retailing, including synergies of “bricks and clicks.”
9. A discussion of trends and profiles of leading companies in such non-store retailing and direct-marketing areas as consumer catalogs, party-based sales, multi-level marketing, television shopping and mail order.
10. Retail opportunities in China.
11. Entertainment and travel-based retail opportunities.
12. Distribution centers and logistics.
13. Retail mergers, acquisitions and private equity.
You'll find a complete overview, industry analysis and market research report in one superb, value-priced package. This book also includes statistical tables, a retail industry glossary, retail industry contacts and thorough indexes. The corporate profile section of the book includes our proprietary, in-depth profiles of the 500 leading companies in all facets of retailing, retail technologies and retail support services. "