We regularly conduct research and analysis across a wide range of industries, and we share our point-of-view on the critical issues facing businesses today through a stable of publications.
Our Latest Publications
Serving Up Growth: The 2012 AlixPartners European Restaurant and Foodservice Outlook
(May 2012)
The outlook for Western European restaurants is positive, even as consumer confidence remains low, unemployment remains high, and great uncertainty persists around the impact of austerity measures. According to the AlixPartners 2012 European Restaurant and Foodservice Outlook, socio-cultural trends, like increased dining outside the home, appear to be offsetting economic pressures and even spurring restaurant-sales growth in countries like France, the U.K., Italy, and Germany. Nevertheless, the European diner remains value-driven and price-conscious—and plans to spend less per meal in the coming year. This makes it critical for restaurant operators to focus on brand differentiation and consumer relevance to drive revenue growth.
April: Hold the Phone - Is Sales Momentum Faltering?
(May 2012)
Shoppers floundered in April, unable to keep up the momentum of spending fueled by balmy days, coveted bright color trends, and a general feeling of buoyancy in the preceding months.
The AlixPartners Home Delivery Survey: Cost and ease of shipping emerge as key decision drivers in online shopping
(May 2012)
The rise of online shopping has been a boon for shippers—and it could mean big business for logistics companies as well. According to the AlixPartners Home Delivery Survey, nearly all of those who shop at home in the past year say that shipping concerns—cost, time, and convenience of returns and exchanges—impact their purchase decisions. This presents logistics companies with a powerful opportunity to differentiate themselves. Those that offer retailers a way to address consumer concerns and drive purchases could unlock significant growth. We see four key areas of opportunity for logistics companies: low-cost, deferred delivery services; reverse logistics; premium delivery; and large item delivery. Read The AlixPartners Home Delivery Survey to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All: Developing Emerging Market-Strategies by Country-Not Region
(April 2012)
Conversationally, we tend to group emerging-market countries into categories: BRIC, ASEAN, MENA, and so on. In reality, each country has distinct macro- and microeconomic landscapes, demographic realities, and logistical challenges that require very different entry strategies. To succeed, management must consider each country individually and conduct a careful market analysis, perform product reviews, and devise a customized approach to entry for each. Successful management teams build emerging-market strategies by country—not by region.
AlixPartners Quarterly // Financial Services
(March 2012)
In our first issue of the AlixPartners Financial Services Quarterly, we explore several key issues facing our industry: Are you ready to take advantage of the significant "digital wallet" opportunity smartphones are creating for financial services providers? Have you considered the impact of consumer trust on your ability to grow your business? And have you evaluated how your choice of IT outsourcers can impact your overall effectiveness?
We invite you to read the inaugural edition of the AlixPartners Financial Services Quarterly to explore these key issues with us.
Consumers Talk: Are You Listening?
(March 2012)
The 2012 AlixPartners Consumer Sentiment Index: What today's consumers want, who's giving it to them, who isn't - and what that means to the bottom line. We surveyed nearly 8,000 Amercian consumers to tell us what they're looking for across 18 retail categories, which retailers are delivering and which aren't.
AlixPartners 2012 Global Anti-Corruption Survey
(March 2012)
Recently, AlixPartners surveyed general counsels and senior compliance executives to better understand how their companies are addressing corruption risk. Here are the results.
Putting Your Chips on the Table: How to Succeed in the High-Risk World of Semiconductors R&D Investment
(March 2012)
Given the magnitude of spend on research and development, the length of cycles, and the importance of the outcome, companies cannot afford to invest unwisely. Find out why we found that those companies investing more heavily in R&D tend to have lower operating margins.
Focus on Heavy Equipment: Europe's New Rules
(March 2012)
New low-cost OEMs are getting customers' attention and market share with equipment that cost materially less. The rise of these "value-for-content OEMs" is bound to shake the whole industry.
February: No, You Can't Make it Up on Volume
(March 2012)
Retailers across the board beat analysts’ sales estimates in February. Retail finished the month feeling somewhat optimistic for the first time in ages, but are the sales increases coming at too steep a price?
The Mobile Shopping Revolution: How Mobile is Redefining Shopping and Payments
(March 2012)
While early adopters ranging from large retailers to digital brands and telecom-led consortiums are aggressively pursuing a “digital wallet” solution, retail banks still hold a significant advantage over these new players when it comes to consumer trust. Financial services providers looking to stay ahead of their competitors in the race for the digital wallet need to meet fast-evolving consumer expectations in mobile shopping and payments.
Courting the Customer: The AlixPartners 2012 Annual Restaurant and Foodservice Review
(March 2012)
As the restaurant industry continues in its nascent recovery, operators will need to focus on brand differentiation and consumer relevance to drive growth. While individual approaches will vary, most will need new and innovative menus, tactics, and techniques to compete and win “share of stomach” in the year ahead and beyond.
Fair Value Accounting & Private Equity: The Challenges and Steps Firms Can Take to Measure Fair Value
(March 2012)
The private equity industry may soon begin to re-prioritize the means by which it measures its investments and performance reporting. This article discusses the challenges firms face when it comes fair value accounting and the steps they may take to address valuation concerns.
The Restructuring Outlook for 2012: AlixPartners Survey Results
(February 2012)
Recently, AlixPartners polled top restructuring professionals to gauge their expectations for 2012. Here are the results. From industries most likely to face distress to which party they think will win the Presidential election.
Making a Federal Case Out of State Sales Taxes
(February 2012)
Operating at budget shortfalls, states are increasingly seeking to collect sales taxes from public companies. In this article, we explain why companies and their boards should be aware of their sales tax obligations.
January: Top-Line Fool's Gold
(February 2012)
At the beginning of January, pundits expressed optimism that 2011 holiday sales came in on the high side of consensus estimates. But we were skeptical that the stronger sales were really indicative of the improving health of retail.
Winners don't play dead: Doing more with less in an uncertain future
(January 2012)
In this joint global executive survey and research paper from the Economist Intelligence Unit and AlixPartners, we explore how companies are reshaping their business to succeed in the challenging environment that has emerged from the great recession. What is hindering them and what are they doing to help remove the constraints? Despite considerable gloom in parts of the global economy, corporate leaders are guardedly optimistic.
Compliance and the Road Ahead: Insights for Executives and In-House Counsel
(January 2012)
Since the collapse of Enron and Worldcom, sweeping regulations have been introduced and existing laws have been subject to increased enforcement. In light of these trends, we highlight key compliance issues for companies and their executives in 2012.
Healthcare Fraud: No Time to "Kick Back" and Relax
(January 2012)
Healthcare fraud can take many forms. However, of the enforcement actions taken by the government, in 2011, a large portion involved kickbacks. In this article we provide an overview of the anti-kickback legal framework facing the healthcare industry.
December: What a Month! And our Top 10 Retail Predictions for 2012
(January 2012)
In this edition of our monthly viewpoint, we take a look at December performance and offer our Top 10 Predictions for the retail industry in 2012.
UK Bribery Act: Turning Prevention into Effective Compliance
(December 2011)
The UK Bribery Act introduces sweeping reforms to the UK’s laws against foreign bribery. With its enactment, companies may soon begin to re-examine their anti-bribery efforts as no longer will it be enough to simply identify improper conduct; they will need to prevent it from occurring too. But, as we note, multinationals that can comply with the new law, and when necessary, adopt additional policies to meet its requirements, may be able to develop a competitive advantage.
Focus on Heavy Equipment: Six Steps to Managing Raw Material Price Volatility
(December 2011)
In the Heavy Equipment industry, commodity-price volatility can take a heavy toll on margins. To succeed—even survive—in the current environment, companies in this industry must clearly understand their exposure and work proactively to protect margins. Read Focus on Heavy Equipment: Six Steps to Managing Raw Material Price Volatility to learn how.
November Comps: Black Friday Weekend: The Ironman of Shopping
(December 2011)
Economic recovery is a question mark for retailers and consumers alike. While the issues vary by retail segment, retailers across the board face important questions about increasing risk in costs, margins, inventory, and the consumer. Heading into Holiday 2011, retailers need to think seriously about two central issues: The Big Picture—how consumers are feeling against the backdrop of a potentially stabilizing economy; and The Retail Reality—a renewed focus on inventory, planning, and the Web.
Cost and Complexity: The 2011 U.S. Manufacturing-Outsourcing Cost Index
(December 2011)
As U.S. manufacturers regain some of their global competitiveness, Mexico retains the lowest landed costs for U.S. customers, while other low-cost countries (LCCs) had higher costs but remained more competitive than China. Over the next four to five years, several factors could combine to erode China’s competitive advantage, making flexibility and constant diligence essential in implementing aggressive global supply chain strategy.