The new ‘Digital World’ service, developed with the US Consumer Electronics Association, draws on data from more than 400,000 retailers in the IT, telecoms and consumer electronics markets.

It aims to allow manufacturers and distributors to understand demand for electronic goods, analyse competitors’ performance and gain insight into consumer behaviour.

Gerard Hermet, chief operating officer of GfK Retail and Technology, said: “This new venture marks a significant step in making essential, fact-based product information available across all countries for the very first time.

“The emergence of markets such as China and India means the industry requires a truly comprehensive, global vision.”