Within this climate of change there are many variables to consider, such as food or product safety; pricing models; customer service; menu appeal; merchandise selection; employee engagement; distribution channels; emerging technologies; standard and emerging marketing strategies (like mobile marketing); customer wants and needs; competitive intelligence; and now sustainability issues, which are becoming increasingly important to consumers. Basics and execution still matter, of course, as leading firms sometimes discover when things go awry. So does constant innovation. Consumers never stand still and expectations are ever changing. The challenge for many in these sectors is staying fresh, current, and relevant while managing margins.

At Hansa|GCR, we have built a strong tradition of using the latest research tools coupled with a seasoned team of industry-savvy professionals. Our goal is to help our clients identify and answer key research questions around their business objectives, be they brand positioning, concept/product testing, or customer satisfaction/loyalty assessment.

Our firm and principals are poised to address your needs. We have experience with major retailers in general merchandise, retail drug, clothing, and grocery sectors as well as quick service and casual dining chains.

Sample research support includes:

  • Global customer experience research for a multitude of retail and restaurant firms
  • Impact of Green/Sustainability issues on product and service communications research for multiple retail and restaurant firms globally
  • Shop-alongs in the beverage category for a major discount retail firm
  • Store-of-the-future research for a southeastern US retail chain
  • Improving POS service interactions for a major computer retailer
  • Service innovation research for a major chain of convenience stores
  • Ad testing for a regional brew pub
  • Product testing for a chain of tire distributors
  • Developing and managing concept screening programs for major quick-serve restaurant chains
  • Promotional and pricing testing, Menu optimization and Global segmentation research for multiple quick-service and fast casual restaurant chains