Growth and Decline of UK MR, By Sector

The British Market Research Association (BMRA) has released figures from its annual survey of the industry showing growth and decline in revenues for specific sectors.

Four core industry sectors posted significant growth last year* - household products, which posted a huge rise of 43%; soft drinks, up 42%; non-OTC pharmaceuticals, up 16.1% and food, up 10%. The telecoms sector also rose by 43% but this almost exactly wiped out a 30% fall the previous year.

The Government and public service sectors also grew more rapidly than the industry as a whole, with growth of 8% and 9% respectively - there was particular strength in the area of social surveys for central / local government.

'Growth in client spend over all sectors was an average of 2.6% for the year', explains BMRA Chairman Peter Jackling. 'The above average rise in the core sectors of food, non-alcoholic drinks, household products and non-OTC pharmaceuticals is possibly a reflection of these sectors' resilience in a period of economic uncertainty.

Some sectors registered a significant decline in 2002 - research spend on broadcast media was down 18% compared to 2001; health and beauty products fell by 8%; vehicles by 7% and the financial services sector was down by 4%.

According to Peter Jackling, figures concerning data collection methods are difficult to interpret / depend upon: 'of the total revenue reported by BMRA members who participated in the 2002 survey, only two-thirds of it was accounted for in breakdowns by data collection method. This makes it difficult to draw reliable conclusions from this part of the analysis. It may suggest, however, that there was some recovery in revenues from face-to-face interviewing, but a decline in spend on consumer panels'.

Jackling concludes that 'The sector remains stable, and the range of services our members can offer continues to grow and meet customer needs... we need to be cautious with our forecasting in an economic climate such as this one, particularly as prospects remain tight... however... we expect to benefit from an upturn in turnover perhaps
later on this year, or in 2004'.


* NB Due to Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, WPP companies have been unable to contribute to the report this year, making comparisons with previous years difficult. To assist in making a rudimentary comparison, the BMRA has reissued the results for 1999-2001 with WPP companies excluded.

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