June 2015

The availability of more information and choice has changed consumers’ expectations about how, where and when they shop. Consumers are less willing to settle for a ‘one size fits all’ shopping experience. When we asked a panel of retailers and retail experts in an international survey to rate …

You've been test driving cars and researching the vehicle you want to buy. Now it's down to decision time. How exactly will you choose the brand, the features and the color you want? Most of us imagine that our choice will be completely rational and based on pragmatic thinking. Of course, …

Sometimes it can seem like we have to work to prove the research we do is relevant. But it is. Data point to the changes unfolding every moment, every day in the world around us. The US Supreme Court landmark decision on marriage equality is just the latest case in point. In a 1996 analysis …

1.2 billion smartphones were sold globally in 2014, and in the first quarter of 2015, smartphone unit demand was up +7% on the same period of last year. So what is driving this continuing success story? We’ve identified four key trends influencing the global smartphone market. 1. Bigger …

While attending this year’s Emerge Conference in Austin last week, it became apparent to me that the financial services industry and the tens of millions of Americans hoping to successfully manage their financial affairs, are at a critical crossroad. Emerge is the annual conference run by …

I found a great new yoga outfit when I was doing some online shopping the other day. First I zoomed in to see the fabric up close. This helps to see if the quality is good and stretchable and feels soft – so needed as you cannot "touch" it. I glanced at some reviews, chose my size and color. …

With so many options for today’s consumers, how do brands succeed in understanding and influencing their shopping choices? Our research shows that when it comes to where shoppers aged 16-21 go to discover new grocery and personal care products, and how they say they are made aware of them, …

The connected car will be a reality within a few years, as enhanced safety, economy and entertainment become standard features of most new vehicles. So how do Americans feel about the car of the future? In this extensive global project carried out at the end of 2014, we interviewed 5,800 …

Already a flourishing market, tire sales in the Middle East are poised for growth, driven by the high GDP of Middle Eastern countries, rising population and government investments in road infrastructure. Looking forward, expect a further boost to the car tire aftermarket - with even more …

Car tire makers are keen to position themselves in hot new markets, and signs point to Indonesia as an interesting market for replacement car tires. Sales in Indonesia rose by 11% in 2014, compared to 2013. Which ASEAN markets will follow Indonesia and experience strong growth? And what will …

In our recent IAB Europe award-winning study with Facebook we proved that Facebook ads deliver a strong return when used in conjunction with TV, even if TV still has the edge on reach (but at what comparative cost I hear you ask). The content we have put out there and the presentation at …

GfK and Facebook joined forces to make a direct comparison of the impact produced by advertising delivered via both TV and Facebook. Traditionally, research on digital ad effectiveness has used tags to identify panel members exposed to a digital ad. But this often assumes that each person …