ACNielsen, the largest provider of market research information and analysis, introduced the Retail Index OTC service to monitor the movement of OTC products on retail shelves on a monthly basis. The ACNielsen Retail Index OTC is a premier service designed to provide pharmaceutical and FMCG companies with vital information on the retail over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical market. This service will aid companies in identifying new avenues to reach out to the retailer and chart a crucial plan to track the trends in consumer offtake.

ACNielsen Retail Index OTC will monitor and measure the distribution and sales offtake for key OTC categories to help marketing and distribution professionals create will offer a continuous view of emerging opportunities and competitive threats. Additionally, analysis of stock and sales movement will help marketers in charting the servicing cycle. The clients will get a one window view of what they need to do to ensure market leadership in a highly competitive arena. The study uses a statistically representative sample of 16,000 retailers across the country. The largest of its kind in India it enlists grocers, general stores, paan-plus outlets that stock OTC products, states the company release.

"In metros, the number of stores stocking OTC products has grown stronger in the last five years. Around 70% of the stores stock OTC products. In metros and Class I towns, the number of paan plus stores stocking OTC has increased from 39 to 48 per cent and in grocers from 76 to 83 per cent respectively in the last five years. ACNielsen Retail Index OTC will help marketers in timely market measurement of these growing categories in identifying distribution opportunities across geographies and channel types," Amita Shetye, associate director, client service, ACNielsen.

ACNielsen Retail Index OTC will cover product categories like acne preparations, analgesics, cough lozenges syrups, antiseptic creams and liquids, rubefacients, skin hygiene, sugar substitutes, rejuvenators and chyavanprash.

ACNielsen, a VNU business, is the world's leading marketing information provider. Offering services in more than 100 countries, the unit provides measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics and consumer attitudes and behaviour.