Research assignment - Mapping how the pricing and distribution programmes in the grocery market are experienced by consumers.

Description du marché

The assignment is jointly published by the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs (BFD) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (NFD). The purpose of the procurement is the need for mapping how consumers experience pricing to the grocery chains, including particularly whether the chains' loyalty programs contribute to confusion and more difficult comparisons of prices for consumers. The aim is furthermore to map consumers' opportunities to make stated choices when trading groceries, as well as the effects of the grocery chains' practices. The contracting authority can also suggest possible measures in the grocery industry as a result of any findings in the mapping. The assignment consists of two reports. The first report shall be a summary of previously relevant research. The second report shall describe the current market, prices and benefit programmes, as well as investigate and describe what challenges consumers experience in the Norwegian grocery market and whether these challenges are unique to Norway. The developer shall obtain information through consumer surveys on how the pricing and distribution programmes are experienced by consumers, what knowledge consumers have about the use of customer data and the regulations for this. An analysis of the findings shall also be carried out in a consumer perspective. The method can often be a combination of qualitative method, e.g. interviews/focus groups and quantitative methods, e.g. mapping with questions to a broad representative selection of consumers. The tenderer shall account for the method use. The examiner shall also conduct meetings and interviews with relevant actors, such as the Norwegian Consumer Protection Authority, the Competition Authority, the Consumer Council and trade organisations, in order to get relevant input for the mapping. The assignment will be valid from when the contract is signed until the final report is submitted 1 March 2026 and has an upper financial limit of NOK 1,500,000 excluding VAT. The first report shall be submitted by 31 December 2025. The estimated value is not binding for the contracting authority. See annex 1 of the contract for further details on the delivery.

Pouvoir adjudicateur