Highlights –

  • The two firms will make a difference by bringing together complementary leading data assets across a broad range of industries on this platform.
  • The transaction is anticipated to close in the second half of 2022 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Information Resources Inc, an emerging global leader in innovative solutions and a service provider for the consumer, retail, and media companies, signed a definitive agreement with NPD, which is a global provider of market information and advisory services in more than 20 countries. The merger will bring forth a leading global technology, analytics, and data provider which will offer clients a view of total retail purchasing, and consumption trends powered by advanced, predictive analytics on the industry-leading IRI Liquid Data technology platform. The transaction is anticipated to close in the second half of 2022 and is subject to customary closing conditions. The terms of the deal were not shared.

The two firms will make a difference by bringing together complementary leading data assets across a broad range of industries on this platform. They will empower brands and retailers to collaborate, better serve their customers, respond to trends, and leverage more powerful insights to drive growth.

How are these brands contributing?

NPD provides market information and advisory services for general merchandise, including technology, soft lines, retail, and foodservice and food consumption. It will then be combined with IRI’s unmatched market measurement, supply chain, and media optimization solutions, retail relationships, and data assets for the CPG industry that encompasses the grocery, convenience, and over-the-counter healthcare categories. The combined capabilities of the two firms will make a magical impact on the market and drive individual growth.

H and amp;F, a global private equity firm, will acquire a greater stake in IRI and merge IRI with H and amp;F Portfolio company NPD. The company will lead an ownership group and has a list of long-term IRI investors, Vestar Capital Partners (Vestar) and New Mountain Capital. They will retain major investments in the combined company.

Experts’ view

Kirk Perry, president, and CEO of IRI, said, “This combination is a win for IRI, NPD, our clients, and our teams as we bring together two industry leaders to offer a total store view. We look forward to joining forces with the NPD team, which brings expertise in parts of the store that IRI does not cover today. As the global retail landscape continues to evolve, IRI and NPD will have innovative technology, analytics, data resources, talent, and geographic reach to best support the growth of the world’s leading brands and retailers. Our combined organization will be well-positioned for continued innovation and success, backed by the expertise and resources of our new majority investor, Hellman and amp; Friedman (“H and amp;F”), alongside our long-term partners at Vestar Capital and New Mountain Capital.”

NPD CEO Karyn Schoenbart added, “We are excited about the prospect of combining our companies to give clients the tools and information they need to succeed amid changing consumer behavior. Both NPD and IRI share similar client-focused, innovative and collaborative cultures, making this combination a natural fit.”