Chapter 8 provides benchmarks for retailers. This sector includes retailers of clothing, jewelry, hardware, furniture, sports equipment, groceries, pharmaceuticals, and general merchandise. They include department stores, fashion stores, furniture stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, sporting goods stores, and specialty retailers. We also include hospitality and consumer services in this sector. The 39 respondents in the sample range in size from $50 million to over $100 billion in annual revenue.

Chapter 7 provides benchmarks for insurance companies. The firms in this sector include companies that sell medical and dental insurance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, auto insurance, disability insurance, and other types of insurance. The 25 respondents in this sector range in size from a minimum of $100 million to over $100 billion in annual revenue.

The IT spending and staffing outlook for large organizations in 2023 can best be described with the old British slogan, “keep calm and carry on.” As we mentioned in last year’s study, IT budgets are increasingly divorced from economic conditions. As enterprises continue their digital transformation, the IT department is increasingly valuable. Much of that can be attributed to IT’s new seat at the strategic table and the growing perception that technology can drive revenue growth. Despite economic headwinds, we see only a slight pullback in IT spending.

The IT spending and staffing outlook for midsize organizations in 2023 can best be described with the old British slogan, “keep calm and carry on.” As we mentioned in last year’s study, IT budgets are increasingly divorced from economic conditions. As enterprises continue their digital transformation, the IT department is increasingly valuable. Much of that can be attributed to IT’s new seat at the strategic table and the growing perception that technology can drive revenue growth. Despite economic headwinds, we see only a slight pullback in IT spending.