Ratings on things as diverse as the efficiency of electronic appliances and the sustainability of fishing methods are changing consumer behaviour and, therefore, the performance of suppliers.

BBC: Rio: Rating the environmental stars

Firms will provide an additional level of depth to the analysis of consumer behaviour.

FORBES: Big Miss On Consumer Sentiment But Barclays Raises Q3 GDP To 2.5%

In the UK, Nokia in partnership with network provider O2 and broadcast firm Arqiva, has been monitoring 400 triallists in the Oxford area since October, both in terms of consumer behaviour and how the technology performs.

BBC: Cast members of Coronation Street hold up mobile phone