CHICAGO and LONDON, Nov. 24, 2008 – Information Resources Inc (IRI), the leading global provider of consumer, shopper and market insights for the consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, and healthcare industries, today announced that it has become the sole supplier of retail data to Nestlé in the UK. The contract, which commences on Jan. 1, 2009, covers an initial three-year period with the option of a further two-year extension.
For Nestlé, this agreement represents the first time that all of its UK divisions have been aligned to one supplier of retail tracking. This consolidation was facilitated by its business services department in order to bring efficiencies and standardization to its business.
Jon Walsh, communication director, Nestlé UK, said, “We are very pleased to now be working with IRI across our entire business in the UK. Being able to track and respond to consumer needs swiftly and effectively is essential for any business looking to succeed in today’s competitive market place. Working with one supplier to track consumer, shopper and market brings with it significant efficiencies and cost savings.”
Nigel Howlett, president of IRI International said, “We were acutely aware that this was a highly-competitive ‘winner takes all’ bid. That said, we also believed it was vital to lead with a value-added proposition that best enabled Nestlé to respond to the challenges and opportunities within the marketplace. We are delighted to be entrusted with all of Nestlé UK’s business in this way and, with our TNS partners, look forward to delivering the critical insight necessary to help Nestlé anticipate market needs and allocate sales and marketing resources most effectively.”
In selecting IRI as a trusted partner, Nestlé’s evaluation criteria included quality of services and insight delivered, as well as an assessment of software and the consulting team. Nestlé’s Insight managers felt that IRI performed well against all criteria, specifically citing the joint servicing partnership with TNS and ongoing synergies between Nestlé and IRI teams as differentiators.
Prior to this new partnership, IRI supported approximately 60 percent of Nestlé’s research spend, across the Food & Beverage Division, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Lactalis-Nestlé Chilled Dairy,and Nestlé Waters. As a result of the new contract IRI is now engaged across 100 percent of Nestlé’s business in the UK, including Nestlé Confectionery and Cereal Partners.
About IRI
IRI is the world’s leading provider of consumer, shopper, and retail market intelligence and insights supporting 95 percent of the FORTUNE Global 500 consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail and healthcare companies. Only IRI offers the unique combination of integrated market information, automated and predictive analytics, innovative enabling technologies, and domain expertise. With IRI, leading retailers and manufacturers are able to quickly discover breakthrough insights driving smarter decisions and actions across the enterprise for breakthrough results. Companies around the world depend on IRI for improved productivity, stronger brands, and dramatic revenue growth. For more information, visit http://us.infores.com.
###
IRI CONTACTS:
John McIndoe
E-mail: john.mcindoe@infores.com
Phone: (312) 474-3862
Fax: (312) 726-1091
Shelley Hughes
E-mail: shelley.hughes@infores.com
Phone: (312) 474-3675
Fax: (312) 726-1091