What Companies Are in the Consumer Services Field?

• There are more than 450,000 consumer services companies in the United States.
• Consumer services companies operate in retail, hospitality, health services, and education.
• Companies in the consumer services field need tech professionals like web developers.
• AAA, Airbnb, and Costco are some of the top companies for tech in consumer services.

There are roughly 455,000 consumer services companies in the U.S., and these businesses generated a combined annual revenue of approximately $300 billion in 2015, according to research conducted by Dun and Bradstreet. Retail and wholesale, leisure and hospitality, health and social, and education are part of the consumer services field.

Today, consumer services companies need computer and information technology (IT) professionals to provide data collection, cloud storage, and information security. They also need web developers, software engineers, UX designers, and data analysts to create efficient and effective customer experiences.

What Is the Consumer Services Field?

The consumer services field depends on human resources (HR), computers, and IT to assist customers. These services involve processes, outcomes, and experiences, as opposed to tangible consumer products like clothes, toys, cars, and appliances. Consumer services companies focus on transactions, customer care, and how consumers access services.

People and technology power the consumer services field, from online purchases and health and social services to entertainment. For example, Netflix's online streaming platform provides original content using HR and a monthly streaming subscription powered by technology. There are consumer services jobs in countless industries.

What Are the Types of Consumer Services Companies?

Retail and wholesale consumer services companies are integral to industry supply chains. For example, retailers buy goods physically or online from wholesalers or manufacturers, then resell the products. Increasingly, brick-and-mortar businesses are adding or giving way to digital shopping experiences.

The leisure and hospitality consumer services field includes industries such as lodging, food services, transportation, and tourism-oriented companies. Networks like AAA and Airbnb have expanded consumer service options by taking advantage of technology and HR. Restaurant delivery, personal shoppers, resorts, and streaming entertainment services are examples of consumer services.

Health and social services companies help customers make informed decisions about healthcare products, access medical records, and find providers. These companies facilitate consumers' active involvement with the healthcare system. Examples of health and social consumer services companies include preventive healthcare websites, online and in-person treatment services, and health insurance companies.

Education consumer services may help people find reputable colleges and programs by providing databases of accredited and authorized institutions. These agencies protect consumers from substandard, deceptive, and fraudulent practices. Other examples include electronic services, such as companies that provide access to academic transcripts and online learning programs.

How Can I Get a Tech Job in the Consumer Services Field?

Most tech jobs in the consumer services field require experience with programming languages, database technologies, and tools. A bachelor's degree in computer science is one way to learn about new technologies and develop programming skills. Earning a college degree can prepare graduates for cybersecurity, web development, analyst, and project management careers.

However, some tech roles, such as web developer and digital designer, may not need a bachelor's degree. Coding bootcamps can help aspiring web developers and technology professionals learn new skills and stay updated on tech tools and computer languages. These roles typically require workers to be adept at HTML programming, JavaScript, and SQL.

Business and Consumer Services Bootcamps for You

Frequently Asked Questions About Consumer Services Companies

What does consumer services mean in business?

Consumer services depend on HR and IT to create customer experiences. Unlike physical products that people can touch and feel, consumer services is intangible, supporting processes and providing resources. For example, booking a room online is a consumer service offered by companies like AAA and Airbnb.

Consumer service companies incorporate customer service and technology to enhance consumer experiences. Hotels, motels, travel agencies, resorts, insurance companies, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions all provide consumer services. Additionally, jobs in consumer services encompass many professions, from technical and customer support to web design and network administration.

What are the challenges faced by service industries?

Some of the biggest challenges in the consumer services field are adopting the latest technology and sourcing talented professionals. The consumer services field also faces customer acquisition and retention challenges because of the increasing competition in these dynamic markets.

Digital technology can be complex, time-consuming, and exhausting for organizations and employees. Consumer services companies need technology professionals to help implement digital transitions, pick the right software and tools, and conduct training.

Remote and hybrid team management is another significant challenge facing consumer services companies. Consumer businesses of all sizes need to adopt technology that keeps their teams connected.

What are the four main types of consumer services?

There are four primary consumer service fields: retail and wholesale, leisure and hospitality, health and social, and education. Examples of retail consumer services companies include fashion boutiques, grocery stores, and home improvement businesses. Wholesalers provide discounted options for retailers, and both sectors often offer in-person and digital shopping experiences.

The leisure and hospitality consumer services field includes travel, lodging, transportation, food services, and theme parks. Digital streaming services and home delivery are prime examples of this consumer services field.

Health and social services provide healthcare services, resources, and information, while education services assist students in finding quality education providers.