When we think of product sampling, it’s easy to see it as a short-term strategy. But in reality, it’s much more. According to Jeffrey Dotson, a professor of marketing at the Marriott School of Business, sampling does two big things: it gives sales an immediate push and keeps those sales going for longer.
How big is that push? Well, sales can jump by 2,000% during the sampling period. Plus, most people (73%, to be exact) say they’d try something new if they got a sample first.
So, if you’re wondering about the power of product sampling, know this: it’s both a quick win and a long game. Let me share the most crucial product importance of sampling statistics you should be aware of right away. 🛒📈🎁
Key Findings: Product sampling statistics
- 73% of consumers say that if they try a product, they are likely to buy it.
- Product sampling can increase sales by 41.6% over non-sampled products.
- 24% of customers who tried a sample product said it specifically replaced an item they were planning to buy.
- 80% of consumers bought because the brand let them try it first.
- 65% of consumers purchase a product or service promoted at an event.
- 47% of customers are willing to buy a sampled product in the future.
- 35% of customers who try a sample will purchase the product during the same shopping trip.
- 58% of survey respondents said they would buy the product again, suggesting sampling could build customer loyalty.
- Product sampling costs marketers more than $2 billion per year.
Sources: (Hashtagpaid, Inspira Marketing, EventTrack.)
Benefits of product sampling
73% Consumers Likely to Purchase After Product Trials
Important takeaway:
| Encourage product trials | Facilitating more product trials could boost sales significantly. |
| Introduce in-store product demos | Demos can enhance customer engagement and encourage purchases. |
| Improve product accessibility | Making products readily accessible can increase the likelihood of purchase. |
The finding that 73% of consumers are likely to purchase a product they’ve tried underscores the value of encouraging product trials, introducing in-store product demos, and improving product accessibility to engage customers and enhance sales.
Source: Hashtagpaid
Brand Trials Prompt 80% of Consumer Purchases
Important takeaway:
| Boost trial-based marketing strategies | Encouraging trials significantly increases consumer purchases. |
| Expand sample distribution | Offering product samples can drive more sales. |
| Incorporate try-before-buy programs | Programs that allow trials first can improve consumer purchasing. |
The data, which shows 80% of consumers making a purchase after a brand allows them to try a product first, emphasizes the effectiveness of trial-based marketing strategies, expanding sample distribution, and incorporating try-before-buy programs to enhance consumer purchasing decisions.
Source: Inspira Marketing
65% Consumers Prefer Event-Promoted Products, New Data Shows
Important takeaway:
| Prioritize event-based marketing | Event promotions significantly drive consumer purchasing decisions. |
| Enhance event product demonstrations | Live demos at events can boost product sales. |
| Invest in experiential marketing | Experiences at events can lead to increased consumer purchases. |
The fact that 65% of consumers purchase a product or service promoted at an event underscores the effectiveness of prioritizing event-based marketing, enhancing product demonstrations at these events, and investing in experiential marketing to stimulate sales.
Source: EventTrack
Sampling Strategy Sways 24% Customers to Switch Purchases
Important takeaway:
| Prioritize product sampling | Product sampling can disrupt and capture intended purchases. |
| Target competitive product categories | Sampling can lead to switching behavior in consumers. |
| Invest in marketing through product trials | Trials are a potent tool in influencing customer buying decisions. |
The fact that 24% of customers replaced a planned purchase with a sample product they tried signifies the potential of product sampling in disrupting intended purchases. This suggests a need to prioritize sampling, particularly in competitive product categories, and further investment in trial-based marketing strategies.
Source: Inspira Marketing
