The growing globalisation of international markets confronts both you and us with new challenges.
For your strategic planning, in multinational marketing strategies, or in co-ordination of product
development, you will require reliable and up-to-date market information as a basis for decision making.
We are on your side where it really matters in the development of suitable market research concepts,
helping you to spot the market niches and maximise your product range. As a result of close
co-operation within IFR in the various countries, we can guarantee you a data report  covering all
monitored markets  from one competent source. We provide cross-European analysis within Europe,
in one chosen currency, disregarding local VAT if required - particularly useful for head quarter analysis.
Each national organisation of IFR also offers you a package of national services, which meets your
specific national or regional needs.

What is the Market Research Concept behind IFR Monitoring ?

The IFR information system offers a range of applications, which distinguish it from other concepts
of marketing research in retail. IFR does not examine market share, but researches the presence of goods
on the shelves, so reflecting the consumer's perception of the market offer.

•    IFR provides up-to-date information on the following
     Structure of the shelf-offer (display)
     Evolution (shelf life cycle) of the shelf-offer
     Up-to-date real consumer prices
     Observation of price evolution per product
     Product life cycle and market penetration
     Presence rate of brands and products
     Evolution of price and product segments for the early perception of trends
     Comprehensive technical data per product
     Contrasts and comparison of competitive behaviour

All these aspects of the program enable a continuous observation of market behaviour and lead
to a better understanding of the brand and product strategies of industry. In order to allow adequate
evaluation and analysis of market trends, the complete "historical"data bank  comprises 24 analysis periods.

What makes us different from other market research institutes ?

IFR is to some extent complementary to other leading market research institutes in its field.
The difference that distinguishes IFR Monitoring from the others in its field is based on three fundamental elements:

•    The speed of monitoring and data-processing (see below)
     Market transparency through balanced representivity in the panel of -
     all channels and outlet groups
     Reflection of the shelf offer in the eyes of the consumer, as opposed to -
     the projection of market share

Considering the constant shortening of the product shelf life & life cycle, and rapidly changing
consumer preferences, manufacturers and retailers need a fast information system which will
provide parallel observations of market movement in price analysis and shelf offer evolution, thus
achieving the following aims set by the manufacturer:

•    Orientation and control of newly launched products
     Adjustment of price and product positioning in time
     Maximisation and extension of the product range according to consumer -
     wishes as well as differentiation from competitors

Retail Research - IFR outlets

Every month each outlet is surveyed in order to gather all available information on products and
shelf prices of all displayed models of any particular product group. One of the distinctive features
of IFR monitoring is its speed, as the information gathered during the first ten days of any month
is available as of the twentieth of the same month. In this process the data undergoes a double-
check system: during the monitoring of price information in the outlets and during the subsequent
data bank input.
The IFR retail panel is based on an 'dis-proportional' sample, i.e., not on quantity but on a specific
selection that represents the display and shelf policy of each channel and outlet group. In each country
specific criteria regarding product groups, distribution channels, outlet-type, as well as size, turnover,
geographical location and market/outlet groupings are taken into consideration.

IFR - Partner to Industry and Retail

Our partners in industry use IFR data to aid in the management of distribution and sales, planning
of marketing activities, to assess measures taken with regard to outlets and groups of outlets, as well
as in analysis and control of the competitive position.
Our partners in retail draw on IFR market information in order to optimise the structure of product
range in relation to the consumer requirements, to differentiate themselves from the competitor, to
establish the real market price in order to define the consumer price and to recognise changes in trends.
For both partners this information from an independent source is a basis for communication in relation
to sales negotiations or common activities at the point of sale.

IFR Database Service

As a result of the constructive and constant co-operation and support from clients,and internal
research IFR service has grown both in quality and quantity, putting new ideas and suggestions
into practice.
IFR Service has been designed to suit various and specific areas of application in both industry
and retail. Marketing, Research and Sales departments have thus at hand, an efficient and
user-friendly instrument for day to day reference and analysis.
The IFR© Software package is a Windows™-based information system which consists of a monthly
updated data bank coupled with user-friendly software. This provides decision orientated and
problem-recognition analysis.
The data bank and the software are installed directly on the user's PC to allow him direct access to
the entire data bank and the individualised analysis of the panel data. This provides a useful alternative
to broad, general surveys presented on paper.
The IFR© Software Package is network compatible and can also be used in combination with other
Windows™ applications, i.e., worksheets can be easily exported to Excel©, Lotus© or PowerPoint©, etc.
The program is further complimented by Windows™ Graphic Software, which allows the transfer of
results into manifold and flexible graphics.