WGSN parent Ascential acquires price and promotions analytics firm Brand View

Ascential, the parent company of global trend forecaster WGSN, has this morning announced the acquisition of Brand View, a specialist in price and promotion analytics for fashion retailers and manufacturers.

Brand View offers data and analysis to retailers and manufacturers across a range of consumer goods categories to allow them to measure and manage pricing and promotion activity and drive sales, both off-line and online.

Founded in 2008, Brand View serves more than 200 customers from offices in Reading (UK), Stamford Connecticut (USA) and Paris (France).

It will now form part of Ascential’s “Sales” business division and will be integrated with OCR (One Click Retail), Clavis and Planet Retail RNG in due course. The division also includes global retail summit World Retail Congress and trade publication Retail Week. WGSN sits in its "Product Design" division, while the company also owns global festival of creativity, Cannes Lions.

The business recently sold its trade show business to ITE Group (owner of Moda, Scoop and Jacket Required), which included fashion exhibition Pure London along with Spring and Autumn Fair. Proceeds from the sales funded the latest acquisition.

Ascential CEO Duncan Painter said: “We have a clear focus on providing information and capabilities that enable our customers to succeed in the digital economy. The acquisition of Brand View, using capital released from the sale of the Exhibitions business, supports this goal by broadening our capabilities in eCommerce analytics. Brand View’s Price and Promotion expertise, and coverage of store-based activity, provides a comprehensive offering for both retailers and manufacturers.”