Yes, you can buy the data, but you cannot release it to the public. Retailers in Europe didn't want it known which products were doing well and which ones weren't, I don't remember the details on why, just remember the retailers didn't want the data released.
I don't think so, because everyone can buy the data. It isn't even that expensive as far as I know. So if somebody wants to use it to spy on other retailer they still could.
I'm not so sure, I seem to remember the stated reason for them not releasing the data had something to do with a Non-disclosure agreement with the Retailers.
I agree to you on that! It would be really cool if we would have some Eurpean numbers. I know that it will come sometime in the future, one way or another.
I didn't say anyone in particular, the fact remains that Europe keeps a tight lid on it's data and the US and Japan release that data, that means that the US and Japan have a greater impact on the industry because their sales data is released and people know how well things do here beyond just speculation. What can you do? Well either organize and make a new marketing agency that actually releases the data or somehow convince GFK and ChartTrack to release their data I guess.
I agree with Alpha, it would be nice to see some real European Data. I think that Europe hurts itself and it's value to the industry because they keep the data secret, it means there is less attention in Europe than there is in the US and Japan because one can only speculate.
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