UK Business Information / Market Research
Many firms choosing to do business in the UK, including those that have been in the country for a long time, use market research firms to help them better understand the UK marketplace they are entering.
There is a huge range of market research firms operating in the UK, from small outfits to global organisations. The firms mentioned below are the four main market research companies in the UK.
Neilson Group - The world's largest market research firm, Neilson's operations span more than 100 countries. In the UK, the firm has offices in Oxford, Birmingham, Harrogate and Newport.
Nielson cites its main services to clients as being:
Media Measurement - what is being advertised and where?
Market Measurement - what is being sold and where?
Diagnostic Services - who is buying and how often?
Analytical Tools and Services - how your company can be more effective?
Opportunity Identification - what your company should be focusing on.
Kantar Media- A recent takeover of TNS Media intelligence has made Kantar Media one of the largest market research organisations in the world. Unlike Nielson, Kantar focuses solely on media research providing companies with in-depth data about how their brand is being portrayed through communication channels.
Kantar's main UK office is in Uxbridge, West London.
Synovate - Another market research behemoth, Synovate organises its research by industry. It has specialised teams to deal with: Automotive firms, Financial services, FMCG brands, Food and beverages, Telecommunications, Utilities, Health and Government & public sector.
Although a global firm, Synovate has no HQ, giving each office a degree of autonomy about the way they conduct their research. Synovate is particularly hot on creating new models of market research and products to carry that research out. Its slogan is 'Research reinvented'.
Ipsos Mori - Another leading market research firm, Ipsos Mori is well-known for covering the run-up to the UK's political elections, providing polls and data to the media.
Ipsos Mori describes itself as a specialist in researching:
Advertising - brand equity and communications
Loyalty - customer and employee relationship management
Marketing - consumer, retail & shopper, healthcare
MediaCT - media & technology
Social and Political research
Reputation Research
