WGSN Acquires IWSR to Expand Trend Forecasting in Beverage Industry
Deal News | Jun 05, 2025 | Apax (Ignore, Duplicate)
In a strategic acquisition move, WGSN, the leading trend forecaster, has acquired IWSR, the global leader in data, analytics, and insights for the beverage alcohol industry from Bowmark Capital. The transaction, supported by funds advised by Apax Partners who acquired WGSN in early 2024, took place to bolster WGSN's trend forecasting and data analytics capabilities across consumer industries including the food and drink sector, where WGSN had previously made investments. This acquisition aligns with WGSN's strategy to combine data science with human expertise to provide a comprehensive solution for clients in understanding consumer behavior trends. The integration promises to bring value to clients by leveraging WGSN's expertise in trend forecasting with IWSR's analytics in the beverage alcohol market. The deal signifies a pivotal enhancement to WGSN's offerings and reflects a significant growth opportunity for IWSR in harnessing WGSN's resources and market reach. The deal was finalized in June 2025.
Sectors
- Market Research and Analytics
- Beverage Alcohol Industry
- Private Equity
Geography
- Global – The acquisition pertains to WGSN and IWSR, both having a global reach and clientele, impacting international markets.
- United Kingdom – Bowmark Capital, the private equity firm involved in selling IWSR, is based in the UK.
Industry
- Market Research and Analytics – The article revolves around WGSN and IWSR, both of which operate within the market research and analytics sphere, offering insights and data analysis.
- Beverage Alcohol Industry – IWSR is a specialist in analytics for the beverage alcohol industry, making this sector highly relevant to the news.
- Private Equity – Bowmark Capital, a private equity firm, was involved in the transaction as the seller of IWSR.
Financials
- Not disclosed – The financial terms of the acquisition deal between WGSN and IWSR were not disclosed in the article.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WGSN | Acquirer | Company | WGSN is a trend forecasting company, focusing on a wide range of consumer industries. |
| IWSR | Target company | Company | IWSR is the global leader in data, analytics, and insights for the beverage alcohol industry. |
| Bowmark Capital | Selling Company | Company | A mid-market private equity firm that sold IWSR to WGSN. |
| Apax Partners | Financial Support/Advisor | Company | Advised the funds that supported WGSN's acquisition of IWSR. |
| Carla Buzasi | CEO at WGSN | Person | CEO of WGSN, overseeing the company's strategic growth and acquisition initiatives. |
| Julie Harris | CEO at IWSR | Person | CEO of IWSR, leading the company into its next phase with WGSN. |
| Mark Sykes | Principal at Apax | Person | Principal at Apax, involved with strategic financial support for the acquisition. |
| Fiona McCormick | Partner at Bowmark | Person | Partner at Bowmark, commentating on the company's support and future prospects for IWSR. |