ACNielsen Introduces Real-Time In-Store Promotion Assessment Service for CPG Industry; Promotion Tracker Checks Status of All-Important Seasonal Displays in over 8,000 Stores.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- ACNielsen U.S. today introduced Promotion Tracker, providing the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry's first-ever census-based reporting on the status of in-store displays. With many product categories highly dependent upon seasonal promotions to drive sales, Promotion Tracker provides real-time information as to whether promotional displays have been executed in specific stores as planned. Reports are available for over 8,000 stores.

Promotion Tracker is the first deliverable from a new ACNielsen solution suite designed to provide detailed analysis of in-store marketing activities.

Alice Fawver, senior vice president, Marketing, ACNielsen Retail Measurement Services, said, "The best-laid promotional plans sometimes fall apart at the last and most important step - the execution of promotional displays in stores. Promotion Tracker will help manufacturers check on their in-store displays, enabling them to identify and remedy any problems that may occur while there's still time to benefit from the promotion."

Promotion Tracker reports on the status of in-store promotional displays across multiple categories at five of the leading national grocery retailers representing 40% of U.S. chain supermarket all-commodity volume. Reporting is available across each chain, banner, all stores within specific retailer-defined trade areas, and over 8,000 individual stores. The Internet-accessed reports tell whether a display is up, the number of displays in a given store, their location(s), and whether the promoted price is visible. Reports are planned for most major holiday and special event selling seasons beginning with the 2006 Super Bowl.

Promotion Tracker is part of ACNielsen's industry leading Retail Measurement Services, offering an unparalleled breadth of CPG retail sales coverage and depth of analysis of the in-store marketing activities that influence consumers at the point-of-decision.

ACNielsen, a VNU business, is the world's leading marketing information provider. Offering services in more than 100 countries, the unit provides measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics and consumer attitudes and behavior. Clients rely on ACNielsen's market research, proprietary products, analytical tools and professional service to understand competitive performance, to uncover new opportunities and to raise the profitability of their marketing and sales campaigns.

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