Any business globally relies on market research companies to expand its customer base and unlock growth opportunities.
You can only succeed in business when you understand customer behavior, needs, and preferences. This requires gathering actionable intelligence on these topics.
In the past, companies conducted this research in-house. However, with increasing competition, businesses now rely on third-party market research firms.
The UK has become a major hub for market research companies, following the USA. These firms help businesses make strategic decisions by providing customer insights and market intelligence.
Market research companies use quantitative and qualitative research methods to assess buyers' pain points and motivations.
This valuable data provides insights to help businesses stand out in the market. Many firms also offer market research tools that enable companies to explore new ideas and refine products, marketing, and sales strategies. For instance, by analyzing market trends, businesses can develop better products that meet customer demands and stay ahead of competitors.
Market research helps identify untapped product segments and anticipate potential market disruptions, allowing businesses to act proactively and ensure growth.
Whether you're looking for market research agencies in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, or beyond, this article highlights the top 10 market research companies in the UK.
Attest is a leading market research platform based in London, helping businesses collect data from global and domestic audiences.
Key Features:
Brand tracking
Consumer profiling
Creative testing
Market analysis
New product development
Founded in 2015 by Jeremy King, Attest offers high-quality research technology with machine learning algorithms and human research analysts. Their interactive dashboard allows businesses to visualize data and conduct multiple audience surveys for in-depth insights.
Headquartered in London, Toluna serves over 40 million customers across 68 markets. The company specializes in data insights through its global consumer intelligence platform.
Key Features:
Concept testing
Online research panels
Online communities
DIY and online surveys
Quantitative and qualitative research
CEO Frédéric-Charles Petit leads Toluna, which offers proprietary analytics tools and real-time data visualization for market sizing, brand health research, and competitor analysis.
Founded in 2012, Vision One specializes in B2B and consumer research insights. Based in Camden Town, London, they offer qualitative and quantitative research for branding, product development, and international market studies.
Key Features:
Focus groups
In-depth interviews
International research
New product development
Brand tracking and development
Customer satisfaction research
Neuromarketing
Vision One's award-winning research methods include face-to-face surveys, omnibus surveys, and central location tests.
Qualtrics, headquartered in Provo, UT, and Seattle, WA, is a top-tier UK-based market research agency. It provides corporate and academic researchers with tools to tackle complex research problems.
Key Features:
Online surveys
Consumer feedback research
Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Voice of the Customer (VOC) programs
Customer experience research
Enterprise feedback management
CEO Zig Serafin oversees Qualtrics, known for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface for customer behavior analysis, market trend research, and competitive benchmarking.
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in London, MESH Experience specializes in measuring customer experiences and marketing effectiveness.
Key Features:
Advanced statistical research
Creative development studies
Diary studies
Mobile surveys
Online communities
Syndicated surveys
Tracking
CEO Oded Zehavi leads the firm, which offers the unique Real-time Experience Tracking (RET) solution for in-depth consumer experience analysis.
A premier market research firm in London, Schlesinger Group UK provides clinical research and specialized solutions.
Key Features:
Quantitative and qualitative research
Online surveys
Focus group facilities
Global market research studies
Data collection
Online qualitative solutions
Usability testing
Eye-tracking studies
Biometric labs
Product testing
Clinical research
Founded in 1966, Schlesinger Group UK is led by CEO Reed Cundiff and operates hospital simulation centers for real-life medical scenarios.
Recently acquired by Momentive, SurveyMonkey is a global survey software company headquartered in London and Dublin.
Key Features:
Customer research
Employee research
Market research
Online surveys
Brand research
Product innovation research
Founded in 1999, SurveyMonkey offers 250+ survey templates and access to 175M+ respondents in 130+ countries.
A global insights firm headquartered in London, SIS International Research provides services across industries, from agritech to IT strategy consulting.
Key Features:
Competitive intelligence
IT market research
Healthcare market research
Management consulting
Fintech strategy
Brand consulting
Automotive research
Market entry strategy
Portfolio expansion
UX research
Founded in 1984, SIS International Research is a leader in global market research and consulting.
Founded in 2012 and based in London, Zappi is a trusted market research agency offering automated research solutions.
Key Features:
Automated market research
New product development
Concept testing
Social listening
Creative testing
Innovation testing
Zappi enables businesses to validate product ideas, ads, and customer experiences using predictive consumer data. CEO Steve Phillips leads the company.
Brandwatch, headquartered in Brighton, UK, specializes in social listening and consumer intelligence.
Key Features:
Brand management
Crisis management
Stakeholder management
Social media management
Content marketing
Founded in 2007, CEO Cali Tran leads Brandwatch, providing tools for analyzing social media conversations and brand monitoring.
Market research companies provide businesses with essential insights for strategic decision-making. Whether you're entering a new market or looking to refine your brand strategy, these firms offer the competitive intelligence you need to succeed.
Choosing the right market research partner can help your business reach new heights. We hope this article helps you find the best market research company in the UK for your needs!