Inchcape Testing Services discloses consumer research at International Mass Retailers Association conference; Research to aid retail buyers in understanding purchasing decision

Business Wire, March 30, 1995

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 1995--Inchcape Testing Services, headquartered in Andover, Mass., announced today at a conference sponsored by the International Mass Retailers Association that it has completed a study of consumers who recently purchased small appliances and home electronics.

The study's focus was to determine and understand the role of safety in a consumer's decision when buying small appliances or home electronics products. From the findings, retail buyers will be able to better gauge consumer interest and knowledge about the safety of the products they purchase.

"Our survey confirmed that consumers are concerned about product safety. We conducted this audit to foster the educational process for U.S. and Canadian buyers, retailers and manufacturers and are committed to providing this audience access to critical information of this nature," said Andrew Gondek, director of retail marketing, Inchcape Testing Services.

The analysis uncovers consumers' understanding of the following issues:

o How consumers believe product safety testing is conducted

o Familiarity with testing and product safety marks utilized by

various national testing laboratories

Both the U.S. and Canadian respondents rated product safety and performance as most important in the selection and purchase of small appliances and home electronics products. Of the respondents, over 60 percent of the U.S. and Canadian consumers are fairly certain that the small appliances and home electronics products they purchase have been tested for product safety, yet less than 20 percent of the respondents were absolutely certain that product safety testing had taken place. The vast majority of consumers in both countries believe that some kind of product safety testing is conducted on products prior to their arrival at a retail store. Most respondents were uncertain as to who conducted that testing and what tests were administered.

The consumer survey is one component of Inchcape Testing Services' product safety education program. The program is aimed at educating consumers, retailers and manufacturers about the role independent third-party testing and certification organizations play in promoting product safety.

Inchcape Testing Services Quality Systems maintains 27 testing laboratories and additional field offices in major metropolitan areas on three continents. These include 19 laboratories in North America, four in Europe and four in the Far East.

In addition to the inspection and testing of industrial and consumer products, Inchcape Testing's other activities include: foreign trade supervision; inspection and testing of oil and petroleum products; environmental and minerals testing.

The Inchcape plc group operates in more than 80 countries, providing service and representation for many of the world's best-known companies. The Group focuses on three main areas -- motors, marketing and services.

To request additional information on Inchcape Testing Services' consumer research summary, please contact Andy Gondek, director of retail marketing, at 404/491-0154.

CONTACT: Inchcape Testing Services

Sarah Whipps or Cheri Hart, 508/689-9353

or

FitzGerald Communications, Cambridge, Mass.

Deb Dionne or Aline Thibault, 617/494-9500

Internet: aline_thibault@fitzcomm.com