Synovate acquires Retail Specialist SPSL


11 December 2007

LONDON — Leading global market research firm Synovate today announced the acquisition of SPSL, Europe's leading provider of footfall equipment and analysis to major retailers.

Established in 1989 and based in Milton Keynes in the UK, SPSL monitors more than one billion visits to over 4,600 retail premises annually in the UK alone and operates across 15 countries in Europe and North America. Its clients include many of the retail industry's most successful companies across most sectors.

Synovate's Global CEO Adrian Chedore said the acquisition of SPSL was another step forward in expanding the company's offer in this important area.

"Top retailers rely on SPSL's high-level analytical tools, retailing expertise and technical know-how to help measure, manage and improve their business. Indeed, the SPSL Retail Traffic Index is regarded as the UK national benchmark of retail shopper traffic flow.

"These services nicely complement Synovate Aztec's retail tracking business, which is the 'trade currency' in the grocery sector. As Synovate develops future offerings in the retail space, we will look to SPSL to play a thought leadership role in developing those products."

Commercial Director of SPSL Dominic McGuinness said, "We are enormously excited by the opportunities to become a truly global player that this deal represents. Our customers, staff and suppliers can be reassured that there will be no personnel changes as a result of this move except as and when further expansion dictates."

SPSL's Managing and Technical Director Paul Tombs added, "We regard this acquisition as a ringing endorsement of the efforts all of us at SPSL have made to develop the most reliable and accurate technology, coupled with the best anaytical tools. This is a win/win situation for Synovate, for SPSL and for all of our retail customers."


Contact(s) for this press release


John Surrey
Director - Marketing & Communications

Synovate
Alpha Business Centre, 6th Floor
27 Pindarou Street
Nicosia 1060, Cyprus

Tel: +357 22 366 233
Send an email



Dominic McGuinness
For PRODUCT information from SPSL

SPSL
34 Walker Avenue
Wolverton Mill
Milton Keynes
MK12 5TW

Tel. +44 (0) 1908 682700
Fax. +44 (0) 1908 682739



Theo Chalmers
MEDIA enquiries regarding SPSL

Verve Public Relations
Park House, 8 Grove Ash
Mount Farm
Milton Keynes
MK1 1BZ

Tel. +44 (0) 1908 275271
Fax. +44 (0) 1908 275272




About SPSL

Established in 1989, retail research group SPSL is Europe's leading provider of proprietary tools for footfall monitoring and behavioural analysis deployed by retailers. Its customers include many of the retail industry's most successful companies across all retail sectors except grocery, convenience and minor retail service sectors. SPSL is trusted by retailers to provide high accuracy, mission-critical Key Performance Indicators to measure customer volume, sales opportunities, conversion rates, staff stretch, promotional activity and in-store lay-outs. See www.customercounting.com to learn more about SPSL.



About Synovate

Synovate generates insights to help clients drive competitive brand, product and customer experience strategies. Now part of Ipsos, with offices in over 80 countries, our approach combines best in class global research capabilities with personalised service, local knowledge and the flexibility to create teams and processes that meet clients' specific requirements. At Synovate, our clients sit at the top of our organisational chart, driving us to continually develop more innovative research solutions that predict actual business outcomes.

For more information on Synovate visit www.synovate.com.