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GfK Acquires Majority Stake in IFR

October 31 2002

As from July this year, the GfK Group acquired 51.4% of the shares in Institut Français de Recherche (IFR). IFR specializes in market research on retail prices and shelves structure, in consumer electronics, IT and domestic appliances segments in Europe and Asia.

This acquisition adds another important element to GfK's information services related to consumer durables manufacturers and retailers non-food tracking, and also reinforces its position as a global market leader.

Founded in 1974, IFR regularly surveys the prices and shelves structure in 14 countries in Europe and Asia in consumer electronics, IT and domestic appliances sectors. Clients receive the information in the form of monthly reports and use this information to plan their marketing, sales and distribution activities. The company has 81 full-time staff members and generated sales of EUR 11.4 million in 2001.

IFR will complement the GfK Non-Food Tracking division which provides its clients with continuous research into sales information on consumer durables, particularly in consumer electronics, IT and domestic appliances segments. Clients who use Non-Food Tracking services have access to a database system which contains retail, marketing and technology-related information for over a million individual articles in more than 150 consumer technology markets. The database is regularly updated in cooperation with the retail industry.

Dr. Gérard Hermet, member of GfK`s Management Board responsible for the division, explains: 'Our participation in IFR will allow the industry to receive more complete retail information, particularly merchandising data (price per shop, shelves structure) enabling them to optimize their marketing and sales activities.'

Co-owners and Managing Directors of IFR, Noël Murracciole and Nicolas Brouet, commented: 'We are delighted to be part of the GfK Group which is the world market leader in continuous market research in the fields of consumer technology goods. The products and services we will be able to offer together in the future enable us to provide our clients with a wider range of must-have market information than supplied to date.'


All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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