GfK posts ‘sharp’ rise in first-half sales

In a statement accompanying the results, GfK noted a “distinctly difficult economic environment” that was responsible for “a marked cooling of business development” in the second quarter, which saw a double-digit drop in income. Sales for the quarter were up 7.2% from €349.9m to €375m, but income fell 10.6% from €53.5m to €47.8m.

GfK said that its businesses in the Asia Pacific region and Latin America recorded the “sharpest” rise in growth, with the figure in Asia Pacific growing 31.2% to €71.4m.

Matthias Hartmann (pictured), CEO at GfK, said: “Despite the economic challenges, we are confirming our forecast for the year and in the coming months we will focus on achieving our goals.”