Month: July 2021

Whether you’re a startup launching a new product or an established internal brand looking to improve your products, taste testing is a great way to gain critical insights and feedback from potential customers. Not only can you gauge how well your product is likely to perform when compared to the competition, but you can also identify potential areas of improvement and get a sense of what your customers are really looking for.

Why Taste Testing Matters

Taste testing is a worthwhile research activity for several reasons. First, it allows you to get an early sense of how your product is likely to be received by customers. If the response is positive, it can give you the confidence to move forward with production and marketing plans. If the response is negative, on the other hand, it can help you make necessary changes before investing too much time and money in a product that is unlikely to be successful. In either case, taste testing can save you a lot of time and money in the long run by helping you make informed decisions about your product development process. Taste testing can also be useful for identifying potential areas of improvement for your existing product ranges. Even if customers are generally happy with your products, taste testing may uncover some areas where they would like to see improvements. This feedback can be invaluable for making small tweaks that can have a big impact on customer satisfaction. So, what’s involved in taste testing?

What’s Involved in the Taste Testing Process?

The taste testing process can vary depending on the product and the company’s goals, but some key steps are generally followed. First, you’ll need to develop a list of criteria or attributes that you want to test for. This could include flavour, texture, aroma, and overall satisfaction. Once you have your criteria, you’ll need to identify a target group of consumers who are likely to be interested in your product. Your taste testers could be people who regularly consume similar products or an entirely new group of potential customers. After identifying your target group, you’ll need to arrange for a taste test, usually carried out with the help of a specialist consumer research company such as Wirral Sensory Services, who provide taste testers and taste test facilities. During the taste test, panellists will be given a small sample of your product to try and will be asked to rate it against the criteria you’ve established. They may also be asked to provide feedback on their experience and whether they would recommend the product to others. These tests are usually “blind”, meaning that the panellists don’t know which product they’re tasting to prevent bias. After the taste test is complete, research will collate and analyse the results before providing you with a report of their findings. This report will give you valuable insights into how your product performed and where there may be areas for improvement.

How Taste Testing Helps Your Brand

There are a number of ways in which taste testing can help your brand. For instance, testing in this manner can help you to gauge consumer reaction to a new product before it hits the shelves, allowing you to make changes if necessary. Taste tests often reveal consumer preferences that you may not have anticipated, so it’s essential to be open to feedback and willing to make changes based on what you learn. Taste testing can also help you to troubleshoot problems with existing products. If you’re noticing declining sales or customer satisfaction, a taste test can help you to pinpoint the issues and take steps to rectify them. Finally, regular testing also allows you to keep tabs on the competition and ensure that your products are still the best in the market. If the results and analysis show that your product is no longer the preferred option, you can use this information to make changes and improve your offering.

Contact One of the UK’s Leading Taste Testing Companies Today

At Wirral Sensory Services, not only are we trusted by some of the UK’s leading brands, but we’re also passionate about helping businesses to succeed. We offer a range of consumer services that can help you improve your products and stay ahead of the competition, including sensory profiling, packaging research, and of course, taste testing. If you’re interested in finding out more about our services, or if you’d like to arrange a taste test for your product, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of experienced researchers would be more than happy to discuss your needs and help you take your product to the next level.

Over the years, businesses have come to understand the importance of conducting thorough market research before launching a new or improved product. But, of course, there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to consumer research methods. The most suitable one for your brand depends on factors such as the nature of your product and your target audience.

Getting your choices right is crucial. If you choose the incorrect research method for your product, you might not receive the insightful feedback you need to make the informed decisions regarding your product. 

One of the best ways to eliminate bias from your consumer research is by utilising central location testing. But what does this mean in the context of conducting consumer research?

What is Central Location Testing?

Central location testing is often referred to as hallway testing, as it is usually conducted in controlled community settings, such as supermarket aisles, shopping centres, and inner city-centre eateries. It is a type of product market research that gathers and records feedback directly from consumers.

During the central location testing process, all participants are placed in the same testing conditions, which allows for more objective feedback. There are different central location testing methods, such as the paired comparison test, repeat paired comparison test, and the sequential monadic test. The location and research method used depends on factors such as the feedback you require and the nature of your product.

How Can Central Location Testing from Wirral Sensory Services Benefit Your Business?

Companies and brands of all sizes use central location testing as their preferred research methodology because of its cost-effectiveness, accuracy, and insight.

Central location testing is a cost-effective research method that allows for the collection of accurate data. During the testing process, all participants are exposed to the same stimulants, environments, and assessors, which allows for more unbiased and accurate data collection.

Central location testing also provides insight into what the average consumer thinks about your product. During the tests, participants usually engage directly with researchers, which allows the experienced WSS researchers to capture observational feedback such as the body language and the participants’ facial expressions. 

The observational data received can be particularly useful when conducting taste testing using central location testing as it provides objective insights into what consumers think about the taste, smell, and appearance of your product.

Besides consumer insights, central location testing can also act as a helpful marketing and brand awareness activity. During the testing process, many consumers will be exposed to your product, and as they engage with it, you will, in turn, benefit from increased brand awareness. Consumer awareness directly impacts your sales, rendering central location testing ideal for both new and existing brands.

Why Choose Central Location Testing from Wirral Sensory Services?

To enjoy the benefits of central location testing, you must choose the correct research method. At Wirral Sensory Services, we have helped leading UK brands to choose and conduct the most suitable research methodology for their brands.

Our team of trained researchers have more than 20 years of experience in conducting research within the food, beverage, and household products industry. The feedback our researchers provide is accurate, unbiased, and allows many of the UK’s leading brands to create products that consumers love.

Whether you are a new brand entering the market or an existing brand trying to expand your market share, the experienced researchers at Wirral Sensory Services can help your product succeed. Contact us today to learn more about how our research methodologies can help you create an industry-leading product.

Great-tasting food products do not just appear out of thin air. Before a best-selling food or beverage product reaches the supermarket or retail shelves, it’s always subjected to sensory profiling and taste testing. Sensory profiling is an essential part of the testing and development process of food and beverage products. It is an impartial research methodology that allows for a specific analysis of the sensory qualities of products by highly-trained experts. So, how can sensory profiling help your brand?

What Is The Difference Between Sensory Profiling And Taste Testing?

A food product’s appearance, flavour, texture and odour largely determine its acceptability by the market. These attributes are crucial to the success of the product. During the sensory profiling period, trained panellists quantify these attributes and assess them against crucial parameters. In doing so, they can help businesses create a balanced product that is more likely to be accepted by their target market. The sensory assessors do this by creating a specific sensory profile for your food product. You can then compare that sensory profile to new formulations and even competing products.  Taste testers, on the other hand, are often made up of a panel of volunteers who share their personal preferences. Whether they ‘like’ a product is useful, but it is not enough. A sensory panel comprises a pool of respondents who have a higher-than-average sensory acuity, and a greater ability to distinguish between different tastes and smells.

Why Is Sensory Profiling Important? 

Sensory profiling is an impartial research methodology that can provide specific insights into your product. This makes it an essential part of food and beverage market research and development. This sensory research allows you to create a unique product that is objectively different from those of your competitors. It uncovers the difference in attributes like taste and smell scientifically, rather than relying on an individual’s opinion.  Sensory profiling can also be combined with taste testing to give your product an edge. For sentence, sensory assessors can help you develop a sensory profile of a competitor’s product, which can be combined with taste tester’s opinions. This provides an opportunity to create a roadmap to a science-backed product that’s more than likely to win your target market’s approval. Sensory profiling can also be used to monitor how changes in a product’s formulation affect its profile. The research can even be used to uncover quality issues in products too. This makes sensory profiling an invaluable part of high-quality product testing and development.

What Does Sensory Profiling Involve? 

The sensory profiling process is relatively simple. First, your product is submitted to a sensory research company, like Wirral Sensory Services. We then compile a panel of experienced sensory assessors to perform a sensory analysis. During the analysis, the product’s attributes will be assessed. A comprehensive report on the sensory factors like smell, taste, and texture will be developed to create a measurable profile. This sensory profile can then be utilised to develop an in-house alternative to uncover differences between existing product variants and competing products.

Why Choose Wirral Sensory Services For Your Sensory Research Requirements?

Wirral Sensory Services have been the leaders in sensory research for over 20 years. Our sensory profiles have helped leading UK food and beverage brands stay ahead of the curve. Our panel of experienced sensory assessors is one of the best in the country. It has allowed us to provide accurate and comprehensive overviews of product changes and taste trends that have directly correlated with revenue increases.  Our sensory research has allowed our clients to maximise sales by developing the best tasting products. Contact us today to subject your new or existing product to our objective, robust, and industry-leading sensory research panel to bolster your chances of securing a foothold in your chosen market. 

To turn your great idea into a profitable product, you’ll need time and the support of experts. While some brands only conduct market research before launching the products, successful brands include sensory research before launching new and improved products onto the market.  

So, why should you invest in sensory research? Below we provide a guide to sensory research, explaining how it can help you develop an industry-leading product.

What is Sensory Research? Is it Just Another Element of Consumer Research?

Sensory research is a science. The researchers use different methodologies to evaluate your product’s sensory attributes and characteristics such as taste, smell, touch, and appearance.

Sensory research is essential for your product’s success. At the end of the day, your product’s attributes determine how consumers experience it. More importantly, a consumer’s sensory experience can directly influence your profit margins as they won’t buy products they don’t enjoy eating, drinking, or using.

Sensory research is particularly important in the food and beverage industry. A recent study confirmed just how important the sensory attributes of a product are to consumers. Just over 86% of participants surveyed in the study said that a product’s taste is a very or extremely important factor in their food choices. 

But taste is only one characteristic that’s important to consumers. If your product does not smell nice or the packaging is bland, it won’t make its way from the supermarket shelf into a customer’s shopping trolley. That’s why scientists, R&D teams, and even marketing departments all invest so much into sensory research and benefit from the insights provided. 

However, sensory research is not exclusively consumer research. Unlike consumer testing, a trained specialist must conduct some elements of sensory research. Brands who want to use sensory research to enhance their products must partner with trained tasting panellists or insight specialists to ensure that their findings are accurate and useful.

In other words, while sensory research and consumer research sometimes overlap, a large proportion is carried out by trained professionals.  

Why Use a Sensory Panel for Your Product Research?

Sensory panels consist of trained panellists who objectively assess and test your product. Trained sensory panellists have above-average sensory acuity, which allows them to identify even the most subtle smell or taste.

The sensory research process will generally start with the trained panellists. Once the experts have assessed your product’s sensory nature and found that it is up to standard, you can choose to implement opinion-based sensory research, such as taste testing. 

While taste testing captures your target market’s opinion of your product, the feedback from sensory panellists is even more critical. An objective, scientifically-backed product is more likely to meet subjective consumer taste preferences. The product will be more balanced and appealing. Without objective testing, you won’t know if your product has any fundamental issues, which could present problems in future product development stages. 

Trained sensory panellists can save you time and money. They can provide critical feedback that can be used to tweak the product before it goes for further testing or moves into production. 

Why Choose WSS International to Carry Out Your Sensory Research? 

At Wirral Sensory Services, we’ve seen just how vital sensory research is for all industries and all products. Although all types of product research can be beneficial, sensory research differs from many subjective consumer testing methodologies we offer, such as home-use testing or focus group studies. Sensory research allows for product optimisation based on objective, scientifically obtained findings.

Our sensory professionals can deliver vital insights into the taste, smell, touch, and even the sound of your product. The data collected during sensory research can then be used to develop high-quality consumer products that are more appealing to all your target audience.

Whether you’re an existing brand, launching a new product, or an established brand trying to improve your competitiveness in the marketplace, we can help. Contact us today, and one of our experienced team members can walk you through the sensory research process.

1. Home

 

Food tasting research is essential for your product’s success. Every year over 300,000 businesses fail in the UK. However, some brands still choose to rush onto supermarket shelves without conducting appropriate food tasting research. Often, their products do not make their way into consumer’s shopping trolleys. Without prior research, they may never find out why.

Thus, before launching your product (or a revamped version of an existing one), you should carry out thorough research to ensure that it meets and surpasses consumer expectations.

So into which type of food tasting research should you invest your precious time and resources? Below we provide a guide to food tasting research to help you choose the right one for your brand.

Why is Food Tasting Research So Important?

Food tasting research gives brands insight into the sensory characteristics of their product as well as how consumers react and respond to those characteristics.

There are many food tasting research methodologies. The right methodology for your product depends on factors such as the nature of your product, your research objectives, and your target market. An expert food research company, such as Wirral Sensory Services, can help you choose the right methodology for your product.

Product research is important for all industries, however it’s especially the food industry. Food tasting research can directly impact your commercial success. High-quality food tasting research, paired with expert product optimisation, can help your brand stand out on supermarket shelves and within other prominent retail locations. In turn, the increase in consumer awareness and brand loyalty lead to increases in revenue.

Taste Testing: Securing Vital Customer Feedback 

It’s no secret that consumers avoid bad tasting products. In a recent study, 82% of participants said that taste was an extremely important factor for their food choice.

Taste testing is a form of product acceptance research that gives you objective insight into your target audience’s preferences. The research can be conducted on location using central location testing, online, or within a residential setting using home-use testing. The versatility in methodologies means that you can still test your product before launching safely, despite the ongoing social restrictions caused by the pandemic.

The data obtained through taste testing research will indicate the demand for your product and demonstrate that it is competitive enough to thrive in the market. Startups can use the data gathered from taste testing to secure shelf space in busy UK supermarkets. Existing brands, on the other hand, can use the data to improve their products to increase their market share.

Sensory Profiling: Gaining Insights from the Professionals 

Sensory profiling measures and compares the attributes of your product to create a unique profile that can be used to develop great-tasting products or improve your existing options.

Unlike taste testing, sensory profiling focuses on the scientific, sensory nature of your product. During the sensory research process, trained panellists with above-average sensory acuity will assess your product. The panellists can quantify the most intricate smells and tastes to create an accurate sensory profile for your brand.

New or existing brands can use the insight gained from sensory professionals. New brands can use sensory profiling to compare their product ideas with their competitor’s existing products. New brands can use sensory profiling to gain a competitive edge and to stay ahead of changing consumer taste trends within their sector.

Why Choose WSS International for Your Food Tasting Research?

At Wirral Sensory Services, we understand the crucial role that research plays in your product development journey. We have been conducting industry-leading product research for over 20 years.

Whether you’re a new or an existing brand, we can help. Our product optimisation processes have helped brands enter the market and increase their market share. Our team of experienced researchers are qualified to conduct a wide range of food testing research, including taste testing and sensory profiling, to name but a few.

Contact us today, and one of our experienced team members can help you choose the most suitable methodology for your product.