The NPD Group has acquired analyst research company In-Stat to expand its focus on the mobile Internet and digital entertainment industries.

In-Stat will work as a team with NPD Group?s DisplaySearch to offer up technology analysis and information for the firm?s client base worldwide.

?NPD acquired In-Stat because it is a well-recognized group of analysts with 30 years of experience covering the technology sector,? said Tim Bush, general manager of the technology analyst business at The NPD Group, Port Washington, NY.

?This acquisition supports NPD?s strategy to build its analyst businesses,? he said. ?In-Stat analysts cover digital entertainment and mobile Internet, expanding our coverage into new categories, as well as jump-starting a new product line called Connected Intelligence.?

The NPD Group is a provider of consumer and retail information for a range of industries. Its clients include manufacturers, retailers and service companies.

Information is available for the various industry sectors such as automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys and wireless.

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The financial details of the acquisition have not been publicly disclosed.

In-Stat specializes in writing reports and providing advisory services related to mobile phones, connected devices and digital entertainment. Its clients include technology vendors, equipment manufacturers, service providers and media companies.

NPD believes that In-Stat?s forecasts and analysis on the technology ecosystem will also complement its existing consumer and retail sales tracking services for the technology and entertainment industries.

In-Stat joins NPD?s existing stable of analyst businesses with the acquisition. Its sister companies include DisplaySearch, Solarbuzz and Connected Intelligence.

NPD?s various divisions all cover technology industries that are rapidly changing and have complex worldwide supply chains. The research spans devices and hardware, digital content and usage, and energy and the environment.

In-Stat will keep its brand name, and the team will report to Mr. Bush. Mark Kirstein will continue to serve as In-Stat?s president.

As a result of the acquisition, NPD claims that clients will be able to leverage more reports, information and expertise from both In-Stat and DisplaySearch.

By operating in partnership with DisplaySearch, In-Stat will gain access to an extended network of sales and research support around the world, especially in Asia and Europe.

?Initially, we will continue to operate the businesses separately,? Mr. Bush said. ?Over the year following our acquisition, we?ll be working to form a single product portfolio leveraging the best methodologies and forecasts.?

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