Hellman & Friedman is acquiring the NPD Group, a research and data provider for the consumer, foodservice and retail industries. Founded in 1966, NPD is currently the eighth largest market research company worldwide.

“Trusted by more than 2,000 customers in 19 countries, NPD is a market leader in its categories with an outstanding value proposition for customers and retailers,” said executive chair of H&F Philip Hammarskjold.

“Rapidly evolving consumer expectations and the growth of e-commerce are accelerating the pace of change in the retail landscape,” said H&F partner Blake Kleinman. “In an environment of unknowns, the ability for companies to use omnichannel analytics to measure and improve performance is more important than ever before, and NPD is extremely well positioned to provide these critical insights to its customers and retail partners.”

Jefferies LLC and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP are advising NPD. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is advising H&F.