TNS Adds instorefactor to Retail and Shopper Arm

In the UK, TNS has acquired retail and manufacturer research specialist instorefactor, and merged it into its Retail and Shopper business. Terms were not disclosed.

instorefactor was founded by former Envirosell employees Fabio Trabucchi and Lee Smith in Milan in 2003, since when, it has been involved in projects for retailers and manufacturers across Europe, the US and Asia.

The addition of instorefactor builds on TNS' previous Retail and Shopper acquisitions - TNS Sorensen in the US, TNS Magasin in the UK, and TNS Zdology in China.

Trabucchi and Smith, who have more than 30 years' shopper research experience between them, have both joined TNS, with Trabucchi heading the Retail & Shopper practice in Italy, and Smith joining the Global Retail & Shopper team.

'With Fabio and Lee we add two very talented and expert shopper researchers to our business,' states Barry Lemmon, Global Head of the TNS Retail & Shopper business. 'Their experience and understanding of observational research complements our existing strengths, and also brings us access to a network of trained observers across Europe.'

Web sites: www.tnsglobal.com and www.instorefactor.com .