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• market research
  market research

  noun

  the gathering and studying of data relating to consumer preferences, purchasing power, etc., especially prior to introducing a product on the market.
• market-research
  market-research

  verb (used with object)

  to conduct market research on.

market research

¹ American  

noun

1. the gathering and studying of data relating to consumer preferences, purchasing power, etc., especially prior to introducing a product on the market.

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market-research ² American  

[mahr-kit-ree-surch, -ri-surch] / ˈmɑr kɪtˈri sɜrtʃ, -rɪˈsɜrtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to conduct market research on.

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market research British  

noun

1. the study of influences upon customer and consumer behaviour and the analysis of market characteristics and trends

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Etymology

Origin of market research¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Origin of market-research²

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

market research market-research

As a result, consumer-goods companies, despite a deep culture of market research, are sometimes getting beat by retailers to the latest trends.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

This year, some began setting up bots that could do things including market research, compare insurance plans and reach out to suppliers and negotiate contracts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

“Never in my life would I imagine cotton candy with pickles,” said Chris Dubois, senior vice president of the fresh food group at Circana, a market research company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

There are currently 42 million active film camera users globally, more than a third of these aged 18–30 and largely influenced by social media trends, according to a market research report, external last year.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

Wall Street firms—most notably Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers—continued to publish bond market research reaffirming the strength of the market.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

While browsing store aisles more frequently, shoppers are spending less per visit, according to Kiara Barrett, global head of thought leadership at market-research firm Circana.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Athletic footwear unit sales were down 7% in the three months through July compared with a year earlier, according to Beth Goldstein, an industry adviser focused on footwear and accessories at market-research firm Circana.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

Surveys from market-research firm Technomic have found that consumers give Chick-fil-A top marks for service, with the southern chain staffing its drive-throughs with tablet-toting workers to help guide customers while they are waiting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

Nearly three-quarters of Gen Z adults age 18 to 29 agreed that “staying in has become my default weekend plan,” according to the market-research company’s survey.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

When Kenna’s album was making the rounds in New York, being considered by music industry executives, on three separate occasions it was given to an outside market-research firm.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell