Pooled statistics are an economical method of obtaining information on the size and trend of defined markets. In our experience, those companies who contribute to a pooled statistics service find it an invaluable source of market information, both in its own right and as a check on the accuracy and coverage of other data sources. Valuable information can still be provided for a particular market even if only some of the competing companies contribute.

By gathering ex-factory despatches (or other relevant returns) from participating organisations, pooled statistics can provide aggregated data from all contributing companies. Confidentiality is assured by PCP's independence and organisations receive as much details as subscribers require, and freedom from sampling errors. Most organisations obtain information on market size, structure and trends from scanning, retail audit or consumer panel surveys and these are often the largest items in the research budget.

For companies with such information, pooled statistics can serve as a check on the accuracy and coverage of the data provided. For organisations with limited budgets or which operate in markets inadequately covered by panels and audits, pooled statistics may be the only feasible way of obtaining market information.