Celebrating Milestones: One Year Together and 90 Years of GfK Knowledge

This summer, we are celebrating 2 milestones: the 1st anniversary of NielsenIQ and GfK coming together as one united company, and remarkable 90 years of GfK. Find out more!

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GfK “Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung” founded in Nuremberg by Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Vershofen, Dr. Erich Schäfer und Prof. Dr. Ludwig Erhard

Prof. Dr. Ludwig Erhard, Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Vershofen and GfK’s Managing Director Georg Bergler
Source: GAA 02.5.1 Fo-IGkF1

First consumer tracking study, "Die Bekanntheit von Warenzeichen," is completed.

Questionnaire for the trademark survey, 1936
Quelle: GAA 01.1.8 S-U 3

Following World War II, GfK is granted a business license and begins rebuilding its operations.

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GfK building on Badstraße in Nuremberg after the Second World War, 1945
Source: GAA 02.5.1 Fo-IGfK1

Launch of the first Household Panel including 1,000 member households.

GfK-anniversary-image-006
Housewife filling out the household calendar, 1965
Source: Nessler, I., Die Kalender bringen es an den Tag; in: Nürnberger Zeitung, 162. Jahrgang 66/1965, S.9

Start of international expansion outside of Germany. Company establishes GfK Austria.

Launch of retail panel.

Objectives of the retail panel, 1970
Source: Eigene Darstellung nach GfK (Hrsg.), 50 Jahre GfK Nürnberg. Marktforschung 1934-1984. Festschrift zum 50-jährigen Bestehen, o.O.

Company forms G&I Forschungsgemeinschaft für Marketing joint venture (fully acquired by GfK in 1983).

Data processing at GfK, 1971

GfK establishes subsidiary in the Netherlands.

Company establishes subsidiary in France.

GfK introduces company-operated panel stores, featuring EPOS cash register tracking system.

Launch of TV media measurement.

Rapid global expansion with presence in 50+ countries.

Company forms Romtec-GfK joint venture in United Kingdom, acquiring full control in 2001.

GfK goes public with listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

GfK-anniversary-image-1999

GfK-anniversary-image-1999-2
GfK AG’s stock market listing, 1999

“Growth from Knowledge” – new brand claim and image campaign.

GfK-anniversary-image-2000

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Growth from Knowledge image campaigns, 2000
Source: GfK SE

Company acquires Informark Pty (Australia) and 35 percent of M2A (France).

Launch of StarTrack, the world's most advanced global data warehouse system for retail panel data at the time.

GfK refocuses business and begins development of new digital solutions.

GfK introduces gfknewron, our 360° AI client platform.

GfK-anniversary-image-2020
gfknewron internal launch event, 2019
Source: gNet

GfK becomes the unparalleled, always-on, AI-powered intelligence platform and consulting service for the consumer products industry on a global level.