Nielsen Advances Shopper Research With Extreme Reality And Gaming Technology

Introducing Nielsen's New Virtual Suite of Smart Solutions

New York, NY /PRNewswire/ - Today, Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) Global Connect introduced its virtual suite of Smart solutions to the U.S. market. This virtual suite includes three distinct solutions—Nielsen SmartStore, the first, immersive virtual reality tool designed to transform in-store testing; Nielsen SmartShelf, the next generation of virtual retail shelf and planogram testing; and Nielsen SmartShopper, an interactive, augmented reality-fueled shopper marketing tool that helps to uncover in-store shopping behaviors. With this release, Nielsen is bringing the latest in extreme reality and gaming technology to the forefront of shopper research.

Nielsen SmartStore
SmartStore is the only such solution in the U.S., enabling consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers and retailers to create and test customized, in-store shopping simulations and scenarios within a dynamic, 3D, 360-degree total store environment.

SmartStore's immersive simulations of unprecedented, realistic quality is paving a new path for the CPG industry to measure, evaluate and optimize a range of retail concepts, including multiple shelf layouts and locations, point of sale (POS) designs, promotion displays, packaging options and even whole store designs. Tracking beyond just eye movements, SmartStore provides a read on shopper head, eye and foot movements, in addition to providing a 3D heat map of the store, shelf or aisle. With a precise, 360-degree controller and headset tracking, realistic graphics, directional audio and HD haptic feedback, SmartStore simulates realistic first-person movement and actions—all in a hyper-realistic, virtual world.

The unique "playback" function allows users of this tool to review the in-store shopper journey and tag possible problem moments for review, converting observations into actionable insights. Within the playback function, researchers can also choose to ask test shoppers qualifying questions as to why they chose or reacted in a certain manner at the shelf, giving retailers and manufacturers new, richer insights into elements such as merchandising, pack ingredients or marketing and promotional activities.

Nielsen SmartShelf
In a time of great retail and shopper disruption, virtual planning is a tech-forward way for companies to navigate the new normal of in-store planning. Through a collaborative alliance with InContext Solutions, an established player in 3D simulation software, Nielsen SmartShelf in the U.S. will produce a fully realistic shopper experience in a dynamic, virtual, online environment. SmartShelf allows companies to continue to safely and quickly design and test aisle, category and shelf scenarios, without physical store testing. Using passive data and active survey insights, companies are able to gain a better understanding of the how, what and why behind at-shelf shopping behavior, to strategically plan and effectively create the most optimal shelf design for today's shopper needs.

Powered by InContext's industry-leading 3D virtual simulation software for retail environments and Nielsen's CPG data, insights and analytics, SmartShelf has the ability to test numerous, iterative scenarios and size the value of the shopper impact on brand and category.

Nielsen SmartShopper
For today's marketers, the latest edition of SmartShopper, which will be available in July, will enable companies to identify and uncover in-store shopper behaviors. Fueled by the latest in augmented reality, this smartphone enabled, shopper marketing tool allows for product images, in-store marketing artwork, seasonal or special event concepts to be tested by shoppers in-store using interactive gaming technology.

"With the pace of unprecedented change occurring within today's shopping landscape, it is imperative for companies to stay ahead of consumers and anticipate their needs," said Susan Dunn, President, U.S. Sales, Nielsen. "Nielsen's virtual suite of SmartStore solutions capitalizes on new technology to dramatically increase the speed and reduce the costs of testing new concepts for brands, allowing them to get real, personal consumer feedback at scale, in a safe environment. Understanding shoppers is more important than ever, and this latest launch represents the next step in our commitment to shaping a smarter market for our clients."

For more information on Nielsen's virtual SmartSolution suite, please visit Nielsen.com or email Consumer.Insights@nielsen.com.

About Nielsen
Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global measurement and data analytics company that provides the most complete and trusted view available of consumers and markets worldwide. Nielsen is divided into two business units. Nielsen Global Media, the arbiter of truth for media markets, provides media and advertising industries with unbiased and reliable metrics that create a shared understanding of the industry required for markets to function. Nielsen Global Connect provides consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers with accurate, actionable information and insights and a complete picture of the complex and changing marketplace that companies need to innovate and grow.

Our approach marries proprietary Nielsen data with other data sources to help clients around the world understand what's happening now, what's happening next, and how to best act on this knowledge.

An S&P 500 company, Nielsen has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the world's population. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.