UKI Food and Drink Panel Product Launched

UK-based Swift Research and Ireland's Amárach Research have joined forces to create a new research tool for food and drink producers.

Swift's approach gives clients access to a team of food and drink industry specialists plus a hand-picked panel of highly product-aware 'super-consumers'. Amárach, with whom it is working to formulate the new package and deliver it across Great Britain and Ireland, has brought in-depth knowledge of the Irish business scene, identifying key specialists from the food and retail sector to form its panel of experts.

Swift MD Alison Flannery comments: 'This panel of specialists will identify the right people to talk to and will ensure our clients' products have all the attributes required to make their way onto the supermarket shelves. Products can be fine-tuned through our food lovers panel. These are people who have demonstrated a passion for all things food and drink. They will also be available for product testing at home and clients will be able to observe them shopping and making their selections, right through to using the products to cook a meal for their families.' The food lovers panel can also be used for rapid online qual research.

Flannery says the panel is 'not a substitute for full service market research' but is aimed at fulfilling a particular need, 'for example, during the product development process where testing is required before moving to the next stage.' Amárach Chairman Gerard O'Neill comments: 'We believe that together, Swift and Amárach will provide an irresistible solution to companies looking to do business in the retail sectors of both Ireland and the UK.'

The partners' home pages are at www.swift-research.co.uk and www.amarach.com .