WGSN acquires IWSR, enhancing its AI, data analytics and business intelligence capabilities for the alcoholic beverage industry

5th June 2025

WGSN, the world’s leading trend forecaster, has announced today that it has acquired IWSR, the global leader in data, analytics and insights for the beverage alcohol industry, from Bowmark Capital, the mid-market private equity fi rm. Funds advised by Apax Partners LLP (“Apax”) acquired WGSN in January 2024 and supported the IWSR acquisition.

The move supports WGSN’s strategy to expand its market-leading trend forecasting capabilities, AI, data analytics and insights across a broad range of consumer industries.

WGSN signalled this ambition with the launch of its Food & Drink platform in 2020, and the acquisition of IWSR is a decisive step in providing a holistic solution in this space.

Carla Buzasi, CEO at WGSN, commented: “We are delighted to be able to combine the depth of data and specifi c market expertise that IWSR possesses with WGSN’s proven trend forecasting methodology, which has been guiding the world’s biggest brands for almost 30 years. We believe that this move marks an important watershed for both WGSN and the food and beverage industry as a whole, as it illustrates the transformative power unleashed when data science and human expertise are combined.”

This move also provides IWSR with additional expertise in consumer behaviour tracking and trend forecasting as part of their product-led growth strategy

Julie Harris, CEO at IWSR, commented: “Joining forces with WGSN represents an exciting next phase for IWSR. Thanks to the expertise of our teams and deep customer trust we have built over the last four decades, IWSR is today the single source of truth for the beverage alcohol industry. Combining our proprietary data and analytics expertise with WGSN’s global leadership in consumer trend forecasting will deliver a truly world-class experience for clients worldwide.”

Mark Sykes, Principal at Apax, commented: “The pace of innovation at WGSN has been truly impressive, especially as it expands its insights, data, and forecasting capabilities across a range of consumer-facing sectors. The addition of IWSR, a clear market leader in the beverage alcohol space, will further enhance the products and services WGSN provides and create significant value for customers of both companies.”

Fiona McCormick, partner at Bowmark, commented: “Since 2021, we have supported the IWSR team in accelerating the company’s growth through product innovation, investment in technology and enhancement of its client proposition. With the expertise and reach of WGSN, IWSR is now ideally positioned to capitalise on its unique position in a dynamic market, delivering further value to its customers.”

The transaction closed in June 2025.