Awards/News

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In the past 9 out of 10 years, SIRS has been presented with the Impulse Survey Award which identifies it as one of the Top 10 market research companies in the world. SIRS is one of only a handful of market research companies to have achieved this recognition. The Impulse Survey rates over 900 domestic and international companies by evaluating the quality of six criteria: recruiting, personnel, location, service, value, and the physical facility. 

Food for Thought: Early returns show Tesco's U.S. entry is fresh, but not everything has been easy
By Len Lewis, Stores Magazine
Tesco's Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, has met with encouraging consumer response and fairly good grades when compared with both convenience stores and supermarkets. But the chain will need to re-evaluate the product variety, pricing and even store hours to become a financial success. SIRS interviewed about 300 primary food shoppers at the first Fresh & Easy store, in Hemet, Calif., about 10 weeks after it opened. April 2008
http://www.stores.org/Current_Issue/2008/04/Edit3/index.asp

Little is the New Big: Smaller supermarkets are gaining on supercenters in the eyes of consumers
By Susan Reda, Executive Editor, Stores Magazine
As America’s obsession with full-size SUVs, “Big Gulp” drinks and starter mansions begins to wane, so too has its enthusiasm for big-box food retailing. New research compiled by SIRS finds that the supercenter format – championed by Wal-Mart and imitated by numerous competitors – is not “packing them in” the way it once did. November 2007
http: www.stores.org/Current_Issue/2007/11/Cover.asp 

Shopping Outside the Box: Smaller, More Personalized Stores Are Said To Be Gaining Shoppers' Favor
By Steve Adams, The Patriot Ledger
Based on a multi-year industry study by SIRS, shoppers are steadily souring on sprawling grocery stores, while smaller, more personalized stores are favored by those who place a premium on customer service and an enjoyable shopping environment. November 2007  Patriot Ledger
 

Chris Ohlinger: Retail Researcher Recounts His Worldwide Quest to Find Innovative Retail  VM&SD Magazine
In this Q and A session with VM+SD Magazine, SIRS CEO, Chris Ohlinger, discusses his 10-month journey around the world, in search of innovative retailers.  During his travels, Chris discovered places that will inspire and challenge the sameness, he says, shoppers find all too often in the U.S.  July 2007  http://www.vmsd.com

The Top 10 Trends in 10 Industries
By George Anders
How do trend spotters find what they’re looking for?  They keep their eyes open.  In an article that looks at how experts spot trends, Chris Ohlinger shares some insight, “many of our biggest clients are very concerned about distinguishing trends from fads.”  He goes on to explain that companies want to capitalize on an idea in a hurry – but cautions that they should know for certain if it’s a long term trend or just a passing fad.  February 2004

Stewart Rivals Look for Piece of Lifestyle Pie
By Michael Kahn, reuters.com
In an article about the impact Martha Stewart’s conviction could have on her business, Chris Ohlinger predicts the damage to Stewart’s image would spur some Kmart customers to shop elsewhere saying “This – at least in Kmart’s sense – is the unkindest cut of all since Martha Stewart was one of their few remaining strength…” March 2004  www.reuters.com

Talk Show – Wal-Mart Nation Fewer Smiles in the Aisles
By Wendy Zellner, Businessweek
Based on interviews conducted early this year by Service Industry Research Systems, scores at Wal-Mart Stores' discount and supercenter outlets have dropped more than 20% since 1999.  April 2003  http://www.businessweek.com

Are Department Stores Dying?
By Jeffrey A. Tachtengerg and Ann Zimmerman
Staff Reporters of The Wall Street Journal
Some retailers are thriving, but much of those gains have come at the expense of department stores, as discounters and specialty retailers begin to offer shoppers more alternatives than ever. Department stores' share of the apparel market has fallen to 40% from 70% two decades ago, says market researcher Chris Ohlinger (of SIRS). May 2002   http://www.wsjclassroomedition.com/archive/02may/COVR_department.htm

Wal-Mart Is Eating Everybody's Lunch
By Robert Berner in Chicago and Stephanie Anderson Forest in Dallas, Businessweek
In recent years, as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) has added groceries to its all-in-one stores in the area, the discounter has made big inroads. …According to Chris Ohlinger, chief executive of retail consulting firm Service Industry Research Systems Inc. "The Neighborhood Markets are the traditional food retailer's worst nightmare." April 2002 http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/02_15/b3778053.htm

Saving Customer Service – Are Retailers Up to the Challenge?
By Susan Reda, Senior Editor
Research conducted by Chris Ohlinger, president and chief executive officer of Service Industry Research Systems, supports the notion that customer expectations of outstanding service have changed significantly in the last five years.  January 2001
https://www.stores.org/archives/jan01cover.asp

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