IFR Monitoring
The growing globalization 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 maximize 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 organization 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.
- 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 behavior
All these aspects of the program enable a continuous observation of market behaviors 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 speed of monitoring and data-processing (see below)
- Balanced and representative market transparency 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
- Maximization 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 optimize 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 recognize 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.
Download our brochure
The latest GfK Retail and Technology brochure.
The latest IFR Monitoring brochure.