The evolution of device categories, from computers to home appliances, is both shaped by and drives consumer behavior; changes to their form and underlying technical capabilities have been integral to creating the world we inhabit. If software defines how we interact with technology, then …
Read moreMarch 2014
Trends that drive the auto industry
by Don Deveaux
Recently, I was reading an article about how consumers' choices are influenced not only by the usual decision drivers of price, quality and reputation, but also by their values and beliefs. This reminded me of our Roper Reports® Worldwide Study which tracks 12 major global trends. In …
Read moreThe changing landscape of photography
by Olly Robinson
The end of the 20th century saw a significant increase in our ability to capture images, with photography becoming a true mass medium. Largely driven by the proliferation of smartphones and our ability to edit, store and share images, what's the picture look like for the future of this …
Read moreThe era of the network: evolving relationships in the digital age
by Ryan Garner
The mass adoption of digital networked technology is transformative, but we are still only scratching the surface of what is possible. The behaviors that the network enables – like sharing, communicating, collaborating and learning – come naturally to people. The organization which operates …
Read moreSocial media and the Sochi Olympics – part two: Did Olympics Sponsors Strike Gold?
by Christian Waldheim
As the Sochi events end with the Paralympic Winter Games closing ceremony we conclude our month long tracking project of three Olympic sponsors. Sponsorship of a worldwide event, such as the Winter Olympics, is a major investment, so sponsors naturally want to know if their support has …
Read moreHand in hand: How mobile web and the travel sector are made for each other
by Babita Earle
Timing and relevance – these are the keys to optimising your mobile web strategy. And if you’re operating in the travel sector, there’s no better channel to reach your audience. Our research shows that a quarter of all mobile users in the UK reach for their phones to research and book their …
Read moreThe data agenda: can Big Data and privacy co-exist?
by Ryan Garner
Back in 2011, the World Economic Forum (WEF) compared personal data to oil, as an asset class of extraordinary economic value. Oil was central to the development of the industrial revolution. Without it, much of the infrastructure we take for granted today (transport, energy, etc.) would not …
Read moreGoing Green Not So Easy for Brazilian Drivers
by Meire Waki
Brazilians, despite their tendency to think in a green way, have few options for purchasing an Electric Vehicle (EV), even though Brazil is home to some of the most congested cities on the planet. Sao Paulo, for instance, has the third highest number of inhabitants per vehicle. Brazilians …
Read moreBack to basics – it’s the fundamentals of retail that drive consumers to stores
by Andrew Phipps
New data from GfK’s pilot Shopping Monitor Electro study shows that even in a digital world, with so many shopping channels and customer touchpoints, it is the fundamentals of retailing that remain the decisive factors when consumers select a particular store. Key factors that tend to stay a …
Read moreActionable Eye Tracking
by Aga Bojko
Many practitioners are divided into two opposing camps: those who are pro eye tracking, and those who are against it. The proponents seem to want to use eye tracking for every study, regardless of its objectives. The opponents, on the other hand, claim that eye tracking is just “smoke and …
Read moreThe evolution of software: intelligent and social user experiences
by Olly Robinson
In 2011, the American entrepreneur and software engineer Marc Andreessen, declared that software was ‘eating the world,’ and little has proved him wrong since. Software has long been integral to our interaction with technology, with each new paradigm in user interface creating new …
Read moreNEW INFORMATION CHALLENGES FOR TECH INVESTORS
by Chris Stevens
Change is the name of the game in technology – so it takes solid information to truly keep pace with this marketplace. And investors are demanding new, unique data sources to stay ahead in this dynamic space. In our latest video blog post, Chris Stevens (Global Sales Director of GfK …
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