Why behavioural research?

Traditional research methods give only partial insight into shopper behaviour. Consumers are unreliable witnesses:

  • 99% of the visual stimuli that assail the shopper in a supermarket are screened out by the brain
  • Respondents are only able to describe a fraction of their behaviour in a traditional interview – up to 80% of shopping decisions are made sub-consciously
  • Respondents post-rationalise the shopping process when interviewed– or provide the answer that they believe is expected
  • Most consumers lack the vocabulary to describe retail design and environments or the decision making process

To understand shoppers, it is necessary to observe them shopping, using objective methodologies such as filming and eye tracking.

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