Wal-Mart to Deliver New Shopper Insights

Consumer goods companies can expect to gain valuable shopper insights from a new generation of consumer panel services created by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Information Resources Inc. (IRI) based on Wal-Mart's unique customer segments. In addition, IRI is engaging in specialized marketing and merchandising analytic services for Wal-Mart. IRI panel data will be utilized and accepted as a reliable and valuable source of information across all departments and categories, where available, to support supplier collaboration.

Wal-Mart is also relying on IRI to provide in-store audit services to help Wal-Mart maximize effectiveness of in-store displays for consumer packaged goods throughout its stores. The retail giant is already leveraging consumer and shopper insights from the IRI RxPulse Patient Panel to better understand the motivations, behaviors and needs of its healthcare-related shoppers.

IRI will now align its industry-leading IRI Consumer Network Household Panel with Wal-Mart's customer segments to provide a clear picture of the key consumer dynamics that drive Wal-Mart's brand and category performance. The IRI Consumer Network focuses on every aspect of the consumer, including behavior, demographics and attitudes, so that marketing and sales professionals can know which consumers to focus on and how to reach them most effectively.