Yorkshire agency partners with global firm
Leeds-headquartered The Shopper Agency has become part of global retail experience and manufacturer hybrid Outform.
Following an equity restructure, Outform, which has 250 employees, has become a significant shareholder in The Shopper Agency, in the first collaboration of its kind entered into by either party.
The Shopper Agency will remain headquartered in Leeds and the new partnership means the company now also has offices in London and Miami. 35% of its business is currently outside of the UK.
The Shopper Agency, now in its fifth year, has tripled in size in the past 24-months, adding international brands such as Karndean, Lucas Bols, SHS drinks, Bernafon and Fanatics to its client list, and growing to a team of 18 people.
The company offers behavioural research, shopper marketing and retail design and develops innovative customer experiences for some of the most shopped brands and retailers around the world, including Philips, Microsoft and PlayStation.
Outform works with clients including Google, Samsung and Apple to provide end-to-end retail and brand solutions, ranging from initial research and strategy to mass production and post-installation and support.
Martin Fawcett, founder of The Shopper Agency, said: “This is a very exciting time for The Shopper Agency, at a critical point in our business plan. Integrating with Outform bolsters our existing capabilities and scalability whilst reinforcing plans for growth. It opens huge global opportunities for both teams, allowing us to help more brand and retail owners to future-proof their customer experience.
“Consumers now live and shop in the experience economy – they no longer look to buy just products and services, but seek something more authentic, memorable and shareable. Today, attracting new consumers or keeping existing ones engaged takes us beyond price, convenience and location.“
James Haggas, managing director of Outform EMEA, added: “Outform has made some significant global investments in recent months and we are delighted to embark on a joint strategy and growth plan with The Shopper Agency. Together we are seeking to partner with brands who recognize the need for innovation both in the online and physical realms. We can take consumer experience to a whole new level.”
