'Positive Outlook' for UK and US Researchers

In the UK, the MRS has revealed a positive outlook for the sector, with lower-than-expected decline during 2009. Meanwhile, in the US, the MRA's Research Industry Index (RII) has reported the highest index score since the fourth quarter of 2007.

According to the MRS (Market Research Society), the UK market research industry declined 4.7% during the 12 months to December 2009, and recorded an estimated fall in revenue to £2.076bn from £2.164bn in 2008.

During the year, domestic research declined by 3%, following growth of 3.8% in 2008, while international research fell by 8.3% in 2009, having increased by 12.5% in 2008.

'The 2009 result substantially offsets the outstanding growth of 6.22% in 2008, but still leaves the market research industry larger than it was at the end of 2007,' explains MRS Director General David Barr. 'Significantly, many research organisations are reporting a strong first quarter 2010, and the resilience of the sector as a whole remains much in evidence.'


The latest round of the Research Industry Index suggests that the opinion and research industry in the US experienced a 'significant improvement' in business during Q1 2010.

The RII is a composite score based on reported changes in key business metrics (RFPs, projects and staffing levels), as well as changes in business owners' perceptions of the health of their business.

After hitting an all-time low of 84 for the first quarter of 2009, the index jumped from 91 at the close of 2009 to the current level of 98. This is the highest index score since the fourth quarter of 2007.

According to Ken Roberts, Treasurer of MRA and author of the RII report, this business improvement was fuelled by medium to large-size firms.

However, numerous small firms (revenues under $1m) continued to experience decreased business and suppressed margins in the first quarter. Staffing levels remained flat overall, but with 'promising indications' that larger firms were starting to add staff.

Web sites: www.mrs.org.uk and www.mra-net.org .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.