Thinking Ahead: Your Leading-Edge Insights Podcast

In this episode of Thinking Ahead, GfK’s Neil Bellamy and moderator Lucy Green discuss the April 2024 results of UK Consumer Confidence Index. The overall Index score rose two points to -19, an encouraging development. People’s view of their own personal finances in the next 12 months held steady and the other four measures that make up the Index increased by between two and four points. There is a lot of ground to make up to get us nearer to the 50 year index average of -10, but the measures are moving in the right direction for now. In Data Guru Corner we discuss regional data and analyses. January 2024 marks 50 years of the UK Consumer Confidence Barometer. There is no other consumer research project with the longevity, rigour and reliability. Get the report now >>

GfK Consumer Life is returning to explore what consumers feel, think, need, and ultimately expect from brands today. Drawing on rich, industry-standard trends data, experts from GfK Consumer Life will look at what’s driving consumers, and what your brand can do to connect now and succeed in 2024. In this episode, we'll talk about: If you missed it, part one covered the fundamentals & sustainability!

In this episode of Thinking Ahead, GfK’s Neil Bellamy and moderator Lucy Green discuss the March 2024 results. The overall Index score remained at -21 this month with no move from February. There was some positive news in the view of our personal finances in the next 12 months, which rose two points. However, the Major Purchase Index fell two points and the Savings Index declined by four points. The improvements in the overall Index seen most months last year have now vanished. Neil explains what these scores mean and the impact of the March 6th Budget on them. March’s Data Guru Corner focuses on sampling. Tune in! January 2024 marks 50 years of the UK Consumer Confidence Barometer. There is no other consumer research project with the longevity, rigour and reliability. Get the report now >>

GfK Consumer Life is returning to explore what consumers feel, think, need, and ultimately expect from brands today. Drawing on rich, industry-standard trends data, experts from GfK Consumer Life will look at what’s driving consumers, and what your brand can do to connect now and succeed in 2024. In this episode, we'll talk about: In part two, we'll talk all things tech & gen alpha!

One-quarter of all UK mobile phones sales in 2023 were for second-hand or refurbished handsets Explore the dynamic shift in consumer behaviour within the UK mobile phone market in 2023, where a significant 25% of all mobile phones purchased were either second-hand or refurbished, up from the 19% in 2021. Join Lizzie Bailey and Chris Purnell, experts from GfK UK, as they unravel the intriguing statistics that underpin this trend. In this episode of the Thinking Ahead podcast, we delve into the motivations behind the surge in used and refurbished phone acquisitions. Gain valuable insights into the demographics of those opting for pre-owned devices and discover the driving forces behind their choices. Is it solely influenced by price considerations, or are environmental concerns playing a role in shaping this shift? Tune in now to unravel the nuanced layers of this evolving consumer landscape. If you want to find out more, click here to read our press release.

The Consumer Confidence Index took a knock in February, dropping two points to -21, with all but one of the measures that make up the topline score down. Our expert Neil Bellamy explains what’s happened and why the Personal Financial Situation metric remained at zero. In our regular feature, Data Guru Corner, he looks back over 50 years of data to evaluate how long it takes consumer sentiment to recover from a slump, and what this might suggest for a recovery this election year.

Discover the pulse of the automotive industry in our latest podcast episode, where we unpack the Future of Mobility report from GfK AutoMobility™. From electric vehicle demand to consumer preferences, we dive into key questions shaping the market. Tune in as we explore brand resonance, EV adoption hurdles, and the future of autonomous vehicles. Gain actionable insights for your 2024 business strategies in just a few minutes.

The Living with Technology report explores how consumer tech sentiment, usage, and adoption have shifted and continue to evolve amid major disruptions. In this episode, we sit down with GfK VP-CMI Veronica Chen to talk about the technology trends marketers should consider for the year ahead. The sudden acceleration of the digital lifestyle during COVID lockdowns sent the sales of electronics and adoption of streaming services soaring. Then purchases slowed as consumers re-entered the "real" world and prioritized experiences over possessions. And the introduction of ChatGPT last fall was met with both record-speed adoption and deep concerns.

In this episode of Thinking Ahead, GfK’s Neil Bellamy and our moderator Lucy Green, discuss the January 2024 results of UK Consumer Confidence Barometer. With the main Index at -19%, UK consumers have started the year feeling positive. Neil explains what’s special about January and whether optimism is usual in the first month of the year. We focus on the Personal Financial Situation metric which reached zero after 24 consecutive months of negative scores. Delving into the results by income level tells a more nuanced story. In our regular feature, Data Guru Corner, Neil explains how the Index is composed, and why it is used to report confidence levels in the UK.

Our CMO Outlook series does a deep dive on GfK's CMO Outlook report! The series covers several areas including sustainability, technology & AI, long-term brand building and more. In this episode, we sit down with GfK's Managing Director, Consumer Insights to explore the sustainability realm of the report and how global marketers are setting the course for growth. 600+ marketing leaders shared their take on the state of marketing today, as part of our CMO Outlook Survey — the largest global study of its kind. We’ve distilled their insights here to give you granular coverage into key opportunities, trends, and challenges shaping the landscape across multiple regions and industries. To learn more about how CMOs are driving change in an evolving world, access the full report.

Tune in to this episode as we explore key areas of the latest GfK Green Gauge report by Consumer Life. Understand how environmental concerns influence consumer attitudes and buying behaviors so you can meet their new expectations.

Drawing on 17 cross-media campaigns across Europe, new research shows that digital advertising drives brand equity. Commissioned by Meta, GfK data reveals the different marketing channels that help with brand building efforts at every stage of the funnel. From brand awareness to brand favorability, join this session to see how marketers can optimize digital advertising efforts for higher impact and efficiency by leveraging the power of a mixed-media approach.

In this Thinking Ahead podcast, Kelly Whitwick and Neil Frackiewicz from GfK UK’s retail team discuss the performance of Black Friday in 2023. Using point-of-sale data, they review the results from this year and put them in historical context, reveal the best – and worst–selling items, and analyze sales in the run-up to Black Friday and during the weekend itself. They explain the reason for the results in the Consumer Technology, Durables and Homewares, and share their expectations for the categories as we approach Christmas.

In this Thinking Ahead podcast, Neil Bellamy our Consumer Insights expert and Helen Collins our Home Appliances Industry expert, discuss the who, what and why of buying in a cost-of-living crisis. Consumer confidence is still in negative figures as we head into the busiest time of the retail calendar. Understanding what makes people buy is business critical, especially in a ‘Golden Quarter’. They’ll talk through the reasons to buy MDA, SDA and CE products, differences in behaviour by consumer group, and emerging purchase patterns. Tune in now! Additionally, if you want to hear full insights from our recent UK Insights Breakfast event where we drill down into even more details please follow this link and listen on demand >>

How today’s consumers – young and old – are defying expectations, and how brands can capitalize Just when you think you know today’s generations, they throw you a curve. Digitally savvy Baby Boomers? Gen Z’ers who love to shop in stores? Millennials who enjoy gardening or yard work? The examples of consumers breaking generational molds are numerous, and each one represents an opportunity for agile and savvy marketers. The episode also takes a look at the newest generation that marketers need to be aware of, Gen Alpha. Who are they and how can marketers adapt to this new generation?

In this conversation at IFA 2023, we delved into the world of electric vehicles with Tim Kenyon, Vice President, Consulting, GfK. Join us as we explore people's perceptions of EVs, their purchase concerns, and strategies to overcome them. Kenyon highlights the mix of real and perceived barriers hindering EV adoption, including infrastructure challenges, range anxiety, and misconceptions about these eco-friendly vehicles.

In this Thinking Ahead podcast, Trevor Godman from GfK UK discusses the latest findings from the annual Smart Home survey. Now in its seventh year, this collaboration with techUK delves into consumer awareness and interest, ownership and usage of a range of connected or ‘smart’ home products. This is an extensive piece of work, so in this 15-minute conversation, we focus on three key highlights: market growth and what’s driving it, what we can learn from the success of smart doorbells, and expectations around energy saving.

Sustainability still matters to UK shoppers – despite economic pressures. In fact, the majority of UK consumers in GfK’s Consumer Life survey agreed that “It is important that companies take environmentally responsible actions”. To appeal to shoppers today and tomorrow, every retailer, manufacturer, and brand owner needs to understand these sentiments and how they impact purchasing behavior. For some companies, sustainability is already a key part of their ethos, for others, now is the time to review the latest consumer research, identify the opportunities and barriers, and take action. In this podcast, we share the very latest research and suggest how brands and companies should respond. Sam covers a lot of ground, from sourcing to supply chain, packaging to messaging. Whatever category you’re in, there are some key insights about what sustainability means for you.

Nearly half of Americans now say that experiences are more important than possessions – and “Enjoying Life” has grown to become a core value among US consumers. After three years of pandemic isolation and uncertainty, Americans seem ready to dive into experiential pleasures – but what exactly are they looking for? Which consumer groups are driving this renewed passion for indulgence – and how does it square with today’s inflation-driven focus on cost cutting and bargain hunting? Drawing on five decades of trend insights from GfK Consumer Life, this episode will delve into the consumer moods, values, and desires that underlie a surging “experiential economy,” in the US and around the world. Across genders, generations, cultures, and social classes, we will define this movement and reveal how brands can leverage it wisely.

Join us in our latest episode as we venture behind the scenes of the 2023 NextGen Hackathon. Hear from the winning team of talented undergraduates from CUNY, College of Staten Island as they share their experience, triumphs, and the secrets behind their remarkable victory. Dive deep into their journey, from overcoming obstacles to unveiling their thought-process, all culminating in a well-deserved win! But that's not all – we'll also talk about the #iaAnnualConference, where this exceptional team showcased their winning solution to industry professionals. With a focus on sustainability, they harnessed real consumer data and their data science expertise to develop an impactful solution centered around EVs called "PowerShare." Tune in to discover the inner workings of their revolutionary creation and explore how hackathons like this one provide invaluable opportunities beyond the classroom.