GNPD IRIS Press Release

For immediate release

Mintel and IRI Launch Groundbreaking New Product Development Tool
Mintel GNPD IRIS positioned to reduce new product development costs by up to 80 per cent

Leading market researcher Mintel has collaborated with Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), the leading global provider of enterprise market information solutions for the fast moving consumer goods (fmcg), retail and healthcare industries, to launch a unique tool that is positioned to reduce the cost of new product development. The company has introduced GNPD IRIS, a product that works in conjunction with the Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) to allow fmcg companies to monitor the sales successes and failures of new products and established brands. GNPD IRIS has the potential to ultimately reduce development costs by up to 80 percent.

"We are very excited about working with IRI on this new venture, which will change the way fmcg companies approach product launches," said Peter Haigh, Mintel's chief executive officer. "GNPD IRIS is the most powerful marketing intelligence innovation tool available. Together with IRI, we will help our clients reduce the risk of new product development and secure long-term success with each product they launch."

With close to 182,000 new fmcg products launched globally last year, companies are spending millions annually on product innovation. GNPD IRIS will help companies identify emerging trends and make smart choices in product innovation by monitoring the successes and failures of their competitors. By looking at the sales of products with similar features and monitoring their performance over time, GNPD IRIS will help companies establish realistic benchmarks about the sales potential of their new product ideas before committing to the next stage of development.

"New product introduction is closely linked to driving business results for manufacturers and retailers in most countries," said IRI President of Global Solutions Management Mark Tims. "Since everyday prices are often under pressure, the new products entering at premium prices help to keep the value contribution more stable. However, these new products need to succeed in order for this mechanism to work. GNPD IRIS will help turn the art of launching new products into a science by optimising new product success rates through deeper trend understanding and analysis, including critical insights into the dynamics and diversity of a country."

GNPD IRIS integrates the existing Mintel GNPD tool with IRI InfoScan®, a scanner-based tracking service that processes point-of-sale data from stores on a weekly basis across seven countries. Data is provided for major channels of distribution in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. GNPD IRIS is an extension of GNPD, and subscriptions are available from MINTEL.

About Mintel

Mintel is a leading global supplier of consumer, product and media intelligence. For more than 35 years, Mintel has provided insight into key worldwide trends, offering unique data that directly impacts client success. With offices in Chicago, London, Belfast and Sydney, Mintel has forged a unique reputation as a world-renowned business brand. For more information on Mintel, please visit http://www.mintel.com.

About Information Resources, Inc.

Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) is the world's leading provider of enterprise market information solutions and services for the consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, and healthcare industries, empowering its clients to grow their business profitably in a complex marketplace. Driving the transformation of the industries it serves, only IRI provides a unique combination of real-time market content, advanced analytics, enterprise performance management software, and professional services. The company's portfolio of services, solutions, and technology enable leading retailers and their suppliers around the globe to see what they are missing, act faster with greater confidence and win at the shelf. Ninety-five percent of the FORTUNE Global 500 in CPG and retail leverage IRI to power their business. For more information, visit http://us.infores.com.