LONDON, 29 March 2012 – New research from Kantar Media shows that Daily Deals sites continue to gain in popularity. 68% of shoppers now agree with the statement "I always look out for special offers" and nearly half (48%) say "they always use money off coupons and vouchers" according to data from Kantar Media TGI. With over 1,300 mentions in the press over the last year and nearly two-thirds of online shoppers using them, Daily Deals sites are clearly appealing to this desire for a bargain and making the gloomy economic climate work in their favour.

The latest Online Shopper Intelligence study from Kantar Media Compete shows that 65% of online shoppers engage with Daily Deals sites either by visiting the site directly or reading an email newsletter. The main driver of this behaviour is a desire to lower the cost of a range of purchases.

With more media coverage than any other group buying site, but a lower ad spend, Groupon is the most popular site with 80% market share and 8.1 million monthly visitors. Kantar Media Audiences InfoSys+ data shows that advertising in the space kicked-off in June 2011, with ads seen over 15 million times. The biggest spender is KGB Deals with their ad being seen over 7 million times by individuals, followed by Wowcher (364,618), Living Social (312,140), Groupon (102,647) and just 35,618 for Wahanda.com.

Groupon was followed in the shopper popularity stakes by LivingSocial.com and KGBDeals.co.uk (10% each). Newer offerings such as Wowcher are just beginning to make their mark with consumers.

But only 37% of consumers who buy from these sites make a second purchase from the same supplier. John Thekanady, UK Client Services Director, Kantar Media Compete explains: "It's clear that group buying sites build awareness and encourage impulse purchase behaviour efficiently, but featured companies are failing to convert those shoppers into loyal customers - bringing into question the long term viability of these sites. With an expanding competitive set and talk of daily deals fatigue, group buying sites would be well advised to target their offerings to specific consumer segments to distinguish themselves and help advertisers reach a more engaged audience."

Additional data from Kantar Media confirms that daily deals are an important consumer trend, but that these sites need to change their approach to ensure their long-term success:

• In the last year, an analysis of print and online media coverage by Kantar Media Intelligence found that the term Group Buying or one of the five main competitors was mentioned in the UK online and print media in 1,328 articles.
• Groupon takes the largest share of the media coverage at 79%, but it's not all positive. The company is often criticised for misleading consumers and news of investigations by the OFT and ASA were widely covered.
• A significant proportion of the coverage told the story of how and why consumers have been drawn to group buying. The so called Voucher Revolution is caused, the coverage analysis reveals, by the economic downturn.
• Kantar Media TGI data shows that people are more keen about household promotions – 88% of people said they always look for promotions of these products.

The full report can be downloaded from: www.kantarmedia.compete.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS
Research methodology

Kantar Media Compete conducts quarterly research into the online shopping habits of the UK population. This research covers the period from October to December 2011. The results were derived from Kantar Media Compete behavioural data and its Online Shopper Intelligence report of 1500 respondents to provide a snapshot of UK online shoppers, their behaviours and motivations. More information on Kantar Media Compete can be found at www.kantarmedia.compete.com.

Kantar Media Intelligence research was conducted between March 2011 and March 2012. It analysed volume of coverage for Groupon, Wahanda, Living Social, KGB Deals, Wowcher and 'Group Buying' in general. The analysis reviewed mainstream UK print media, their online versions and mainstream newswires.

Kantar Media Audiences research was conducted on BARB data between June 2011 and February 2012. The data analyses the total amount of times any TV viewer had seen an advert for Groupon, Wahanda, Living Social, KGB Deals and Wowcher across all TV channels For more information about Kantar Media Audiences please visit our website at: http://www.kantarmedia-audiences.com/

Kantar Media Target Group Index (TGI) is a continuous, single source, representative survey of British adults (aged 15+). Based on a robust, nationally representative sample of 25,000, data is released on a rolling quarterly basis. Coverage of consumer life is comprehensive, including demographics, product usage, media habits, leisure activities, and attitudes.

About Kantar Media

Kantar Media provides strategic advice and competitive intelligence to the world's leading brands, publishers, agencies and industry bodies, helping them navigate and succeed in a rapidly evolving media industry. This includes analysis of paid media opportunities; counsel on brand reputation, corporate management and consumer engagement through owned media; and, evaluating consumers' reactions in earned media. Kantar Media provides clients with a broad range of insights from audience research, competitive intelligence, vital consumer behaviour and digital insights, to marketing effectiveness and online influence. Its experts currently work with 22,000 companies tracking 3 million brands in 50 countries. Kantar Media is a unit of Kantar, the consumer insight arm of WPP, the world's largest communications services group
www.kantarmedia.com
http://twitter.com/kantar_media.

For further information please contact:

Helen Cooke
hcooke@compete.com
Phone: 020 7656 5442

Teresa Horscroft
PR Consultant
Eureka Communications
teresa@eurekacomms.co.uk
Phone:+44 (0)1420 564346
+44 (0)7990 520390
Twitter: @teresahorscroft

LONDON, 26 January 2012 – Kantar Media Compete's latest Online Shopper Intelligence report shows that 56% of UK shoppers buying electronics goods online are spending a significant amount of time researching their purchases on the websites of specialist electronics retailers such as currys.co.uk, comet.co.uk and pcworld.co.uk. However, only 14% of those shoppers make their final purchase on these sites. More than half, 52%, of shoppers purchase their electronics goods from mass merchants like Amazon.co.uk. Department stores get 8% of online purchases and auction sites 18%.

With more than three quarters of shoppers (83%) conducting online product research before they purchase electronics goods, the most important sources of information are specialist retailers' websites (56%), followed by search engines (43%), price comparison websites (21%), consumer reviews (19%) and friends, family members or colleagues outside of a social network site (12%). Consumers also spend more time browsing the websites of electronic retailers and consumer review sites to learn more about the products before they purchase.

"Consumers browse electronics retailers' sites and consumer reviews to compare brands and products, but free delivery and price impact where they make their purchase," commented John Thekanady, UK Client Services Director, Kantar Media Compete. "Specialist retailers are doing a great job on delivering the most extensive product ranges and detailed information, but it's clear this isn't enough. With growing pressure to increase sales, they need to look at the entire consumer journey to determine where and why consumers leave before checkout, and overhaul their overall online strategies to improve conversion rates."

Forty five percent of shoppers claim to compare prices at various online retailers before making the purchase and 51% of shoppers received free delivery on their purchases. A third (37%) of shoppers read online consumer reviews.

Gender Divide?

The research also showed that 87% of men purchase electronics goods for themselves whereas 29% of women make the purchase for another family member. While men prefer to do their research on review sites such as which.co.uk, women tend to use a wider range of sources and sites they are more familiar with, like ciao.co.uk, that include electronics reviews alongside sections on beauty and fashion.

"This research also underscores the importance of monitoring the clickstream patterns of different consumer segments, and recognising their differing motivations, to identify the best way to convert them into buyers. Mass merchants could perhaps drive sales further by including external information sources such as expert reviews and social media on their product pages, while a focus on price and service may help specialist retailers increase their market share," commented Thekanady. The full report can be downloaded from: www.kantarmedia.compete.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS
Research methodology

Kantar Media Compete conducts quarterly research into the online shopping habits of the UK population. This research covers the period from October to December 2011. The results were derived from Kantar Media Compete behavioural data and its Online Shopper Intelligence report of 1500 respondents to provide a snapshot of UK online shoppers, their behaviours and motivations. More information on Kantar Media Compete can be found at www.kantarmedia.compete.com.

About Kantar Media

Kantar Media provides strategic advice and competitive intelligence to the world's leading brands, publishers, agencies and industry bodies, helping them navigate and succeed in a rapidly evolving media industry. This includes analysis of paid media opportunities; counsel on brand reputation, corporate management and consumer engagement through owned media; and, evaluating consumers' reactions in earned media. Kantar Media provides clients with a broad range of insights from audience research, competitive intelligence, vital consumer behavior and digital insights, to marketing effectiveness and online influence. Its experts currently work with 22,000 companies tracking 3 million brands in 50 countries. Kantar Media is a unit of Kantar, the consumer insight arm of WPP, the world's largest communications services group.
www.kantarmedia.com
http://twitter.com/kantar_media.

For further information please contact:

Helen Cooke
hcooke@compete.com
Phone: 020 7656 5442

Teresa Horscroft
PR Consultant
Eureka Communications
teresa@eurekacomms.co.uk
Phone:+44 (0)1420 564346
+44 (0)7990 520390
Twitter: @teresahorscroft

LONDON, 20 October 2011 – New data from Kantar Media Compete's Online Shopper Intelligence report shows that UK shoppers plan to spend approximately £360 on Christmas presents this year. Only 20 percent of those surveyed indicated that they intend to spend more than last year.

Forty-nine percent of UK shoppers plan to do most of their Christmas shopping in November with 21 percent shopping in October. A brave one percent plan to leave Christmas shopping to Christmas Eve and four percent will not be making any Christmas purchases this year.

The 74 percent of people who research pre-Christmas deals will use a variety of information sources:

Source: Kantar Media Compete Online Shopper Intelligence report, Q3 2011

John Thekanady, Client Services Director, Kantar Media Compete UK commented: “While a quarter of Christmas shoppers do not intend to research their purchases beforehand, more than half indicate that they will rely on retailer websites to guide their purchasing decisions. Retailers need to implement sound strategies to drive shoppers to their websites during the Christmas shopping window, which now starts in October, and ensure visitors have a positive experience once they arrive on the site.”

Research methodology

Kantar Media Compete carried out research into the online shopping habits of the UK population. The results were derived from Kantar Media Compete behavioural data and its Online Shopper Intelligence report of 1500 respondents to provide a snapshot of UK online shoppers, their behaviours and motivations. The Kantar Media Compete Online Shopper Intelligence report will be available each quarter. This is the first report for the UK market focusing on Q3 (July-September 2011). More information on Kantar Media Compete can be found at www.kantarmedia.compete.com.

About Kantar Media

Established in more than 50 countries, Kantar Media helps clients master the world's multimedia momentum through analysis of print, radio, TV, internet, cinema, mobile, social media, and outdoor worldwide. Kantar Media offers a full range of media insights and audience measurement services. Kantar Media expertise includes audience measurement, advertising expenditure, media evaluation, single source market research, online analytics and social media listening. Drawing upon the deepest expertise in the industry, Kantar Media tracks more than 3 million brands and delivers insight to more than 22,000 customers worldwide.
www.kantarmedia.com
http://twitter.com/kantar_media.

For further information and full report please contact:

Helen Cooke
Marketing Manager, UK
Kantar Media Compete
hcooke@compete.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 7656 5442
+44 (0)7827 880 482

Teresa Horscroft
PR Consultant
Eureka Communications
teresa@eurekacomms.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1420 564346

LONDON, 13 October 2011 – New data from Kantar Media Compete's Online Shopper Intelligence report shows that in the last quarter (July-September 2011) 40 percent of online shoppers in the UK made an online purchase at least once a week. The average three month spend online is dominated by grocery, furniture and electronics purchases.

In the last quarter, the UK public spent on average online:

Question: Approximately how much money have you spent on the following retail products online in the past 3 months?

Source: Kantar Media Compete UK Shopper Intelligence Survey (Q3, 2011)

Sixty-nine percent of online shoppers indicate that they research a particular product in a shop before purchasing, but 67 percent will buy the product online because they believe that they get better prices. Over half also appreciate the flexibility and convenience of 24 hour shopping on e-commerce sites.

John Thekanady, Client Services Director, Kantar Media Compete UK stated: "While the cost of living is increasing year-on-year, it is no surprise that many consumers are choosing to research carefully where the best savings can be made. If that means visiting a shop to research a product, but then purchasing it online to save money, then it shows that UK shoppers are becoming savvier, perhaps out of necessity."

Further proof of savvy shopping is that Ebay is the second most popular retail site by percentage of visitors. In the last quarter, the top five retail sites visited by online shoppers in the UK were:

• Amazon.co.uk: 63%
• Ebay.co.uk: 58%
• Tesco.com: 34%
• Argos.co.uk: 30%
• Asda.com: 19%

"It is invaluable for marketers to know that the majority of shoppers are likely to research purchases online and/or offline prior to buying, regardless of where the final purchase takes place. This requires that brands have integrated offline and online strategies to maintain relevance with consumers or they could lose out on vital sales," said John Thekanady, Client Services Director, Kantar Media Compete.

Online Shopper Intelligence Research Methodology

Kantar Media Compete carried out research into the habits of the UK online shopper population. The results were derived from Kantar Media Compete's Online Shopper Intelligence study of 1500 respondents and its behavioural data of the same consumers to provide a snapshot of UK online shoppers, their behaviours and motivations. The Kantar Media Compete Online Shopper Intelligence report will be available each quarter. This is the first report for the UK market. Comparative data will be available from Q4. More information on Kantar Media Compete can be found at www.kantarmedia.compete.com

About Kantar Media

Established in more than 50 countries, Kantar Media helps clients master the world's multimedia momentum through analysis of print, radio, TV, internet, cinema, mobile, social media, and outdoor worldwide. Kantar Media offers a full range of media insights and audience measurement services.  Kantar Media expertise includes audience measurement, advertising expenditure, media evaluation, single source market research, online analytics and social media listening.  Drawing upon the deepest expertise in the industry, Kantar Media tracks more than 3 million brands and delivers insight to more than 22,000 customers worldwide. 
www.kantarmedia.com
http://twitter.com/kantar_media.

For further information and full report please contact:

Helen Cooke
Marketing Manager, UK
Kantar Media Compete
hcooke@compete.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 7656 5442
+44 (0)7827 880 482

Teresa Horscroft
PR Consultant
Eureka Communications
teresa@eurekacomms.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1420 564346

LONDON (June 30, 2011) - Kantar Media today announced the European launch of Compete, expanding its digital intelligence offering with the introduction of the industry's most comprehensive online behavioural data and insights. Established in the US in 2000, Compete delivers digital intelligence that helps the world's top brands improve their marketing based on a deep understanding of consumers' behaviour online.

“Compete is one of the most respected sources for digital insights for advertisers and marketers,” said Andy Sims, Global Director of Advertising, Skype. “It balances granular online data with meaningful insights that drive marketing decisions.”

Using an unparalleled combination of online behavioural and attitudinal insights, Compete will now provide European marketers with the data they need to ensure messages are delivered in the correct digital environments, boost brand awareness and improve sales. The roll out of Compete further cements Kantar Media's global leadership position in multimedia analysis and insights.

Compete’s European team will be based in London and will initially focus on serving UK clients in the Retail & FMCG, Technology, Entertainment, Telecom and Travel sectors, as well as leading media companies and advertising agencies. Clients in France will be able to access Compete's services later in 2011. Other markets will follow.

Compete’s products cover the entire digital marketing spectrum, including solutions for audience insight, media planning, competitive intelligence, path-to-purchase tracking, marketing and online channel effectiveness.

“It is critical that we provide an evolving mix of digital insights and services in all the markets in which our clients operate,” said Jean-Michel Portier, CEO, Kantar Media. “We're committed to establishing the same recognition for excellence among brands, agencies and media properties in Europe that Compete already has in the US.”

“We are extremely excited to build on our success in the US, and offer European companies access to our comprehensive digital insights,” said Scott Ernst, President of Compete.

To learn more about Kantar Media Compete’s services in Europe, please contact Jeremy Radcliffe at jradcliffe@compete.com or visit www.kantarmedia.compete.com.

About Kantar Media

Established in more than 50 countries, Kantar Media helps clients master the world’s multimedia momentum through analysis of print, radio, TV, internet, cinema, mobile, social media, and outdoor worldwide. Kantar Media offers a full range of media insights and audience measurement services. Kantar Media expertise includes audiences measurement, advertising expenditure, media evaluation, single source market research, online analytics and social media listening. Drawing upon the deepest expertise in the industry, Kantar Media tracks more than 3 million brands and delivers insight to more than 22,000 customers worldwide. www.kantarmedia.com

For further information please contact:

Helen Cooke
hcooke@compete.com
Phone: 020 7656 5442

Helen Brockett
PR Consultant, Eureka Communications
helen@eurekacomms.co.uk
+44 (0)7879 282828