Consumer markets are constantly changing: new offerings, business models and practices often emerge faster than the regulatory framework can keep up. Systematic market monitoring helps to identify undesirable developments, gaps in protection and consumer policy challenges at an early stage and to assess them on an evidence-based basis. Depending on the specific issue, this can take the form of a one-off analysis, a recurring study or ongoing monitoring.

We carry out targeted market monitoring for our clients and work with them to select the markets, platforms, providers or practices to be examined. For the analysis, we develop a structured analytical and categorisation framework tailored to the specific issues under investigation, which is based on risk dimensions relevant to consumer policy. Typical aspects of the analysis include, for example, the provision and presentation of information, manipulative design elements (such as dark patterns or sludge), price transparency or other labelling requirements. Depending on the research question, data is collected through the systematic mapping of platforms and providers, structured observation grids, automated methods such as web scraping, and the use of publicly available sources. We systematically evaluate the results and derive concrete recommendations for action for policymakers, regulatory authorities or businesses.