1934

GfK “Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung” founded in Nuremberg by Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Vershofen, Dr. Erich Schäfer und Prof. Dr. Ludwig Erhard

Prof. Dr. Ludwig Erhard, Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Vershofen and GfK’s Managing Director Georg Bergler 
Source: GAA 02.5.1 Fo-IGkF1

1936

First consumer tracking study, “Die Bekanntheit von Warenzeichen,” is completed.

Questionnaire for the trademark survey, 1936 
Quelle: GAA 01.1.8 S-U 3

1945

Following World War II, GfK is granted a business license and begins rebuilding its operations.

1956

Launch of the first Household Panel including 1,000 member households.

Housewife filling out the household calendar, 1965
Source: Nessler, I., Die Kalender bringen es an den Tag; in: Nürnberger Zeitung, 162. Jahrgang 66/1965, S.9

1960

Start of international expansion outside of Germany. Company establishes GfK Austria.

1970

Launch of retail panel.

Objectives of the retail panel, 1970 
Source: Eigene Darstellung nach GfK (Hrsg.), 50 Jahre GfK Nürnberg. Marktforschung 1934-1984. Festschrift zum 50-jährigen Bestehen, o.O.

1972

Company forms G&I Forschungsgemeinschaft für Marketing joint venture (fully acquired by GfK in 1983).

Data processing at GfK, 1971

1978

GfK establishes subsidiary in the Netherlands.

1981

Company establishes subsidiary in France.

1982

GfK introduces company-operated panel stores, featuring EPOS cash register tracking system.

1984

Launch of TV media measurement.

1990’s

Rapid global expansion with presence in 50+ countries.

1997

Company forms Romtec-GfK joint venture in United Kingdom, acquiring full control in 2001.

1999

GfK goes public with listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

GfK AG’s stock market listing, 1999

2000

“Growth from Knowledge” – new brand claim and image campaign.

Growth from Knowledge image campaigns, 2000 
Source: GfK SE

2002

Company acquires Informark Pty (Australia) and 35 percent of M2A (France).

2004

Launch of StarTrack, the world’s most advanced global data warehouse system for retail panel data at the time.

2018

GfK refocuses business and begins development of new digital solutions.

2020

GfK introduces gfknewron, our 360° AI client platform.

gfknewron internal launch event, 2019
Source: gNet

2022

GfK becomes the unparalleled, always-on, AI-powered intelligence platform and consulting service for the consumer products industry on a global level.

2023

Combining with NielsenIQ, bringing together two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach.

Leadership team at Orange Campus, July 2023

2024

90+1 anniversaries