• Divestment as part of anti-trust approvals of the combination of NIQ and GfK
• YouGov plc (YouGov) ideally positioned to integrate and further develop GfK CP
• Consumer Panel business remains a top priority for the combined NIQ-GfK entity

Nuremberg, Germany, July 6, 2023 – GfK SE (“GfK”), a leading global information services company, today entered an agreement to sell GfK CP to the independent third-party entity YouGov. The divestment of GfK CP addresses competition concerns by the European Commission, thus paving the way toward completion of the NIQ and GfK combination.

“After careful consideration of all options and following approval from our shareholders, we decided to offer this remedy in order to move forward with the combination of NIQ and GfK”, explains GfK Interim CEO and CFO Lars Nordmark. “With YouGov, we firmly believe we have found the perfect future owner for GfK CP and a solution in the best interests of all parties involved – especially for our clients and employees.”

GfK’s CP has leading positions in each of the markets in which it operates, and it is an excellent match for YouGov, a leading international online research data and analytics technology group headquartered in the United Kingdom.

NIQ and GfK announced in July last year a definitive agreement through which the companies plan to combine, creating a leading global provider of information and analytics in consumer and retail measurement. With unparalleled global reach, measurement capabilities, and innovative technology, the combined NIQ-GfK will offer the most complete and clear view of consumer buying behavior. Achieving this will require the combined entity continuing to focus on consumer and retail measurement analytics and the broader NIQ-GfK Consumer Panel business will remain a top strategic priority for NIQ-GfK, irrespective of the divestment of GfK CP.

* The divestment is subject to customary closing conditions and requirements.
** Evercore acted as a financial advisor to GfK, NIQ + shareholders.