Sales were up 11.3% to €345.1m while operating income was up 9.8% to €33.5m.

As part of the Own the Future strategy, the business is now split into two reporting lines. The Consumer Experiences arm – which contains custom research and ad hoc media operations – reported a sales rise of 13.6% to €211.1m, while the Consumer Choices part of the business – which contains the retail and technology retail panel and TV, radio and print measurement activities – saw sales increase 7.5% to €132.4m.

GfK noted a “pleasing” performance in Latin America, where growth stood at 16.7%, and in North America where sales were up 28.8%.

CEO Matthias Hartmann said: “We are confident that despite the uncertainty on the markets, the targets we have set ourselves for 2012 will be achieved. GfK can look back on a successful first quarter, which proves to us that we have set the right course for the future with our Own the Future corporate strategy.”