Market Level Insight Would you like to know the ideal markets with the best opportunity to grow your share and improve sales and distribution -- while boosting your profits? NPD introduces market level capabilities: local market research information for manufacturers and retailers. MORE

High Definition Video Player Report Series - two new reportsMarket HD video players and HD video content more effectively to consumers who may be confused by the competing HD-DVD and Blu-Ray formats. These two reports — the Device Awareness, Purchase Intent, & Penetration Report and the Device Ownership
and Usage Report — provide critical details about what's happening in the market. MORE

Kids and Consumer Electronics Europe - New consumer perspectiveGet the most comprehensive consumer information about how consumer electronics are penetrating the lives of kids in the U.K., France, and Germany. This report delivers the detail companies need to understand ownership, penetration, and usage of CE products by children ages four to 14. MORE

Automotive Hard Parts Consumer StudyWhich parts are being purchased? How does retail service affect purchasing decisions? How are parts installed? NPD went straight to consumers to explore hard parts purchasing behavior. Equipped with this report hard parts installers, manufacturers, and retailers can get a clear view of the consumer and strengthen their marketing efforts. MORE

Grilling in AmericaThis exclusive report delivers new insight into American consumers' grilling habits. Based on data from an array of NPD information products, it details grilling behavior, including the foods grilled, how grilled foods are prepared, and what other foods are consumed at meals featuring grilled foods. MORE

Next-generation system wars - competition is heating up!With all the new gaming systems vying for consumer attention, the next-generation console- and portable-system wars are underway
. . . and competition is heating up. The Next Generation System Functionality & Usage Report identifies the early adopters and those who will be next in line to purchase these new systems, delving deep into consumer attitudes and behavior and exploring purchase intent. MORE

NPD Insights® is a newsletter of The NPD Group, Inc. NPD Insights presents vital information on key market trends and features the NPD services, which help our clients understand, anticipate and capitalize on these trends to build their businesses.

HomeResearch Sciences Update

With this NPD Insights Research Edition, I’d like to introduce you to another side of the research function at The NPD Group: Research & Development. Since the company’s earliest days, NPD has significantly invested in R&D – a tradition of innovation that we continue today.

Right now, the R&D department is charged with looking ahead to exploit existing and emerging technologies and methods to improve our ability to collect, analyze, and deliver data. That means planting many seeds, and having the patience to nurture each knowing that only one or two may produce.

Our cover story this month examines one seed we’ve planted. Vice President of Research & Development David Pinsley studied the role of social media, specifically blogs, in shaping consumer opinions. We wanted to know if it was all hype, or if something meaningful is really happening with blogs, as they relate to market research. Read “The NPD Blog & Forum Study” to find out what our R&D team learned.

Have a great summer!

Steve Coffey
Chief Research Officer
The NPD Group, Inc.

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