KPMG and Synovate Retail Performance jointly launch the Retail Think Tank
5 七月 2006
UNITED KINGDOM — Today professional services firm KPMG and retail research group Synovate Retail Performance jointly announce the formation of the KPMG/Synovate Retail Performance Retail Think Tank (RTT), the first of its kind in the UK, with members comprising the pre-eminent retail experts from all quarters associated with the retail sector.
The Retail Think Tank has been created because it is widely accepted that there are so many mixed messages from different data sources that it is difficult to establish with any certainty the true health and status of the sector. The aim of the RTT is to provide the authoritative, credible and most trusted window on what is really happening in retail and to develop thought leadership on the key areas influencing the future of retailing in the UK.
The RTT will provide, on a quarterly basis, a clear, balanced and authoritative assessment of the retail sector based on a review of all key influential data streams and open discussion by leading experts representing all major aspects of retailing.
The RTT held its first full meetings on Tuesday 25th April and Wednesday 14th June where it determined its outputs and the nature of the metric to measure the health of retail. Its first formal meeting is due to take place on Tuesday 11th July and outputs shall follow shortly afterwards. Its Members are all senior retail experts, all closely associated with the retail sector. They are:-
- Nick Bubb, Evolution Securities
- Paul Clarke, Barclays Retail & Wholesale Sectors
- Sian Davies, Henley Centre HeadlightVision
- Prof. John Dawson, Universities of Edinburgh and Stirling
- Dr. Tim Denison, Synovate Retail Performance
- Helen Dickinson, KPMG
- Richard Hyman, Verdict Consulting
- Vicky Redwood, Capital Economics
- Mark Teale, CB Richard Ellis
The first meetings of the RTT discussed and determined the scope of its future outputs, the methodology and the constitution of the RTT. It was agreed that the RTT should serve to give a balanced, considered, and unbiased view on what the true state of affairs for the sector is, both looking back on the three month period just concluded and looking ahead to the next three months.
The KPMG/Synovate Retail Performance Retail Think Tank will meet quarterly, in private, and discuss current, predicted and 'what if' scenarios affecting retail in the UK. Next meetings of the RTT are set for 11th July 2006, 10th October 2006 and 9th January 2007. Outputs will follow shortly after each meeting. It is a deliberate policy of the RTT that no single member is directly employed by nor speaks on behalf of any individual retail business per se, thereby reinforcing the credibility and independence of its outputs which will include news releases and white papers.
According to Helen Dickinson, Partner, KPMG; "The KPMG / Synovate Retail Performance Retail Think Tank is something we at KPMG and Synovate Retail Performance have been planning and nurturing for several months. When Tim Denison and I came up with our provisional 'dream team' we had no idea that they would all say 'yes' to becoming a member. Now that we have had our first meetings I am confident that the nine of us will be able to produce some very meaningful metrics which will be of significance to everyone involved in retail."
Dr. Tim Denison, Director of Knowledge Management at Synovate Retail Performance, the company that produces the Retail Traffic Index of customer visits to retailers, added; "It is a testament to the basic concept behind the Retail Think Tank that everyone concerned is very excited by its formation and what it will deliver. I look forward to the KPMG / Synovate Retail Performance Retail Think Tank becoming a cornerstone of retail analysis and strategic commentary, providing both a clear perspective on the health of retailing and also leading the discussion on issues affecting the sector."
Contact(s) for this press release
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Simon Griffiths
Senior Manager, KPMG Corporate Communications |
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2 Cornwall Street |
Tel. +44 (0) 121 232 3760 or |
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Theo Chalmers
Managing Director, Verve Public Relations |
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Park House, 8 Grove Ash |
Tel. +44 1908 275 271 |
Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group plc, generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions. The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of research solutions. Synovate employs over 6,400 staff across 62 countries.
For more information on Synovate visit www.synovate.com.