SPA Future Thinking launches Apollonius: a bespoke sales volumetrics forecasting approach

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Market research agency SPA Future Thinking has launched Apollonius, a new versatile sales forecasting model which provides flexible, intelligent, validated forecasting with a rich range of diagnostic outputs and scenario modelling for sales optimisation.

Apollonius has been developed in response to client demands for a bespoke model which not only provides accuracy and versatility but also enables speed of turnaround and value for money.

Using a validated model first developed in 1980 the launch is the result of 30 years of refinement and validation and works by combining research data, category data and marketing information to predict, pre-launch, sales values and volumes for the first two years on-shelf.

The model provides versatility through providing bespoke forecasts tailored to clients needs by optimising the factors unique to each particular launch, such as media spend, trade channels, pricing and timing in order to generate the most realistic model. Apollonius can be applied at all stages of the innovation pipeline: to concepts, products, packaging and the final full NPD mix.

Andrew Tharme, managing director at SPA Future Thinking, said:  “Apollonius has been developed to meet the demands of clients. During the re-development of our volumetrics offering we spoke with clients from within research and marketing teams to establish what they required from a sales forecasting model. We believe we have a solution that meets their wide ranging needs, offering a bespoke model providing accuracy, versatility, speed of turnaround and value for money.”

Some of the questions that Apollonius can answer include:

  • Will my new product succeed in market?
  • What will be the sales impact if I rebrand, and how will this continue to year two?
  • If I invest £5m into this launch, will it see the returns?
  • Will this launch succeed in convenience stores, as well as major multiples?

Dan Hillyard, Group Innovation Director at SPA Future Thinking, said:  “Apollonius is a truly market-leading model, backed up by 30 years of marketing data and research. We are particularly excited by the range of deliverables which address issues such as pricing, optimising promotional and media support and dealing with competitor responses; as well as full diagnostics to optimise concepts, products and packaging.  This is a sector-leading product with unparalleled versatility in accommodating category-specific dynamics or unusual marketing challenges.  We are incredibly proud to be bringing Apollonius to market.”

For more information on how our new versatile sales forecasting model can help your product launches please contact Andrew Tharme (andrew.tharme@spafuturethinking.com) or call +44 (0) 1865 336 400.