Source: The NPD Group/The Toy Book

Hellman & Friedman (H&F) — a global private equity firm — has made a binding offer and entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire The NPD Group, a leading market data provider that covers several consumer products sectors, including the toy industry, games, and video games. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

Pending customary approvals and a sign-off by NPD and H&F shareholders, the companies will enter into a definitive sale agreement subject to certain terms and conditions. NPD Executive Chairman Tod Johnson and CEO Karyn Schoenbart are expected to retain a minority stake in the business and will continue to serve on the NPD board of directors.

“As a leading source of market information and advisory services for general merchandise and food service, NPD is committed to helping our clients and the industries we serve achieve data-driven growth for many years to come,” Johnson says. “H&F shares our focus on long-term growth and has the resources and expertise to not only continue but also accelerate NPD’s momentum and long track record of success. Both Karyn and I are delighted to have the opportunity to partner as minority investors alongside H&F as we work in close collaboration on a long-term strategic plan and transition over time to the next generation of NPD leadership.”

Related: First Half 2021 Global Toy Industry Sales Spike 15% in Two-year High, NPD Says

The NPD Group was founded in 1966 and currently stands as the eighth largest market research company in the world. Its operations span the Americas, Europe, and APAC, covering more than 20 industries.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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