Market research revenue down in 2009

Total market research industry revenue for the UK fell by 4.7% last year, a positive result, according to industry body MRS.

David Barr
David Barr

And apparently many research organisations are reporting a strong first quarter for 2010.

The annual survey of the UK market research industry by MRS shows revenue dropped to an estimated £2.076bn for 2009, down from £2.164bn in 2008.

MRS says that this is an impressive performance given the maturity of the sector, coupled with general pessimism about Western European markets and adds that the industry saw significantly less adverse returns towards the end of the year.

Domestic research by UK companies declined by 3% in 2009, following growth of 3.8% in 2008. International research declined by 8.3% in 2009, having increased by 12.5% in 2008.

David Barr (pictured), MRS director general, says: “2009 was a challenging year for business generally. The market research sector was certainly not immune to the recession but the overall results for the year mask significantly different outcomes for individual companies and segments.

“Nonetheless, while the 2009 result substantially offsets the outstanding growth of 6.22% in 2008, it still leaves the market research industry larger than it was at the end of 2007.

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