GfK Buys Chinese Agencies, Japanese Panel

In China, GfK has acquired Sino-MR and China Market Monitor (CMM) which both specialise in research into consumer electronics, domestic appliances and retail telecoms products. The firm has also taken over a contact lens and cleaning product panel from Nielsen in Japan.

In 2006, Sino-MR and CMM recorded combined sales of 6.3m Euros. The acquisitions - rumours of which were first reported in May (www.mrweb.com/drno/news6767.htm ) - were managed by GfK Market Consulting (Shanghai), which is the holding company for GfK Asia's Retail and Technology business in China. Sources in China estimate that the combined deal is valued at about CNY 150 million.

GfK says that the companies will now be able to offer continuous surveys in more than 500 cities in China, and their staff of around 170, combined with the GfK Marketing Consulting team of c.160, will be led by MD Andy Zhao.

Bert Groot Enzerink, Chairman GfK Retail and Technology Asia Board explained to DRNO that as is customary in China, the firms will initially retain their current names, but will be re-branded as GfK companies in the future.

In addition, at the beginning of November the firm will take over a contact lens and cleaning product panel service from Nielsen in Japan. GfK already runs an optics panel in several European countries, which offers sales tracking and distribution audits as well as test marketing studies for prescription lenses, frames, contact lenses and contact lens solutions. The company says that purchasing the Japanese panel will enable it to provide a global service in this sector. A number of Nielsen staff who previously administered the panel will take up new positions with GfK.

Web sites are at www.gfk.com and www.sino-mr.com.