Market Research World

GfK has made senior level appointments in its Industry, Market Opportunity & Innovation, and User Experience divisions.

After a busy start to the year, the market slowed down in Q2 as demand levelled off and properties stayed for longer on the market. There was a growing sense that homes had become ‘too expensive’ and the feeling was reinforced by press headlines. But two segments of the market bucked these trends. demand for entry-level one-bed apartments continued to outstrip supply so that it will be no easier to buy a pied-a-terre in Central london in 2015 than it was in 2014. the other segment to buck the trend was docklands, where demand strengthened, as buyers looked to east london to deliver value for money, although plentiful supply kept a lid on price increases.

On Data Privacy Day, 28 January 2015, the Market Research Society (MRS) announces that it is reporting 19 companies, including a number of charities, to the Information Commissioner’s Office.  This is part of its campaign to combat the practice of selling under the guise of research, known as “sugging”, and fundraising under the guise of market research, referred to as “frugging”.

The value of China's insurance market has risen rapidly in recent years, from USD 239.2 billion in premium income in 2010 to USD 328.7 billion in 2014. Within this market, the role of bancassurance as a distribution channel is developing through both the range of products on offer and closer relationships between banks and insurers, including the creation of some joint venture underwriters.