Private Equity Firm Hellman & Friedman has entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire market information company NPD Group, the companies announced.  The process will include a notification and consultation process with NPD’s employee-works council, which is expected to lead to a definitive sale agreement between Hellman & Friedman and NPD’s shareholders.

NPD provides information to its clients based on retail tracking at tens of thousands of retail stores, consumer panels, distributor tracking, and consumer tracking.  NPD also releases some information publicly, on which ICv2 frequently reports.  It covers a wide range of industries, including toys and games, and books.  NPD acquired BookScan and other book industry services from A.C. Nielsen in 2017 (see "NPD Acquires BookScan").

ICv2 has an arrangement with NPD BookScan whereby we provide monthly and annual information on the graphic novel business.