Month: November 2022

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Sensory services are key in the development of successful products, particularly in the food and beverage industry. By investigating, measuring, and reporting how consumers interact with products, we can help you to design and improve products to better meet consumer needs.

At Wirral Sensory Services, we offer a range of services to support product development, from taste testing to product acceptance. Our team of experts have a wealth of experience in the food and beverage industry and are passionate about helping businesses of all sizes to succeed.

What Sensory Services Does WSS Offer?

Our consumer research methodologies cover all the senses, from visual and texture analysis to aroma and taste testing. We also offer services such as product benchmarking, where we compare your product against market-leading competitors to objectively analyse areas for improvement.

Our sensory panels are made up of experts with above-average sensory acuity, and they can notice even the subtlest changes in flavours, texture, smell, and appearance. This, combined with our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, means that we can provide accurate and reliable results that you can use to take actionable steps to improve your product.

What Benefits Do Sensory Services Offer Brands?

There are many benefits to incorporating sensory services into your product development. Firstly, by subjecting your products to sensory scrutiny, you can learn how and where your product differs from the competition. Knowing what areas need improvement will help you to focus your development efforts more effectively.

Additionally, by understanding how consumers interact with and perceive your product (by submitting them to sensory consumer taste tests), you can develop products that better meet their needs and expectations. Ultimately, this will lead to happier customers and increased sales.

Lastly, you can receive objective, scientifically-obtained data regarding the sensory performance of your product in a language you can understand. With the insights gained from our sensory services, you can confidently make decisions about your product development.

Why Choose WSS for Sensory Services?

First and foremost, our track record speaks for itself. Our client list includes household-name international brands, such as Subway, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Butterkist, and Costa Coffee, to name but a few. The fact that we are trusted by some of the world’s leading brands is a testament to the quality of our services.

Secondly, our people are experts in their field. They can interpret data obtained from our sensory research and transform it into actionable insights that deliver tangible results for our clients. Our sensory panellists are also highly-trained and have a wealth of experience in the sensory profiling of food and beverage products.

Lastly, sensory services only represent a fraction of the research services we offer at Wirral Sensory Services. We also provide consumer research, packaging design consultancy, and much more. So, if you are looking for a holistic and comprehensive approach to product development, we are the company for you.

Contact WSS Today Regarding Our Sensory Services

If you would like to learn more about our sensory services or any of the other research services we offer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. One of our friendly and experienced team members will be more than happy to discuss your requirements with you in further detail.

Alternatively, you can browse our full range of consumer and sensory research services here. No matter where you are in your product development journey, we look forward to helping you to take your product to the next level soon.

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Research is a vital part of the product development process. From gauging product acceptance to evaluating flavour profiles versus leading competitors, research is an essential tool for any brand looking to succeed in the marketplace.

Wirral Sensory Services can offer your business a comprehensive suite of research services, from in home use tests to efficacy testing in our state-of-the-art facilities. We have a team of experienced and qualified researchers who will work with you to design and execute a study that meets your specific needs and objectives.

But why choose us specifically? What are some of the distinguishing benefits of working with Wirral Sensory Services?

1. Benefit from Our Extensive Experience and Expertise

Our team has been putting products from all kinds of consumer categories through their paces since 1997. Not only do our researchers have the experience and expertise to create and deliver impactful research projects, but they also have the perspective that can only come from working with such a wide range of products.

While we primarily focus on food and beverage products, we work with a range of brands in the FMCG and CPG verticals. This experience gives us a deep understanding of how to create successful research projects that deliver meaningful and actionable insights.

2. We Take a Holistic Approach to Consumer and Product Research

We believe research should be an integrated part of your product development process, not an afterthought. Our team will work with you from the outset to establish goals, whether marketing-oriented or focused on product development. We then design and execute a research plan to provide the insights you need to create a successful product.

With more than 15 categories of research services, we can create a multi-pronged approach to your project that will provide a well-rounded view of your product and its place in the market, delivering value to multiple stakeholders within your organisation.

3. We Relay Insights to You in a Manner You Can Understand

So many multinational brands favour us because we deliver insights from our data in a digestible format. We offer clear, concise reporting and commercially-focused recommendations that allow you to take meaningful and impactful actions based on our findings.

Our team will work with you to ensure that the final deliverables meet your specific needs and can be tailored to the level of detail required.

4. We Become an Extension of Your Team

One of our most significant differentiating factors is the level of service we provide to our clients. We view ourselves as an extension of your team and will go above and beyond to ensure you get the most out of your research project.

From pre-project planning to debriefs and follow-up calls after project delivery, we will be there for you every step of the way to ensure that your needs are being met and that you are getting the insights you need to advance your product development efforts.

5. We Offer Competitive Pricing Without Compromising on Quality

We provide a premium service at a competitive price, making us an attractive option for businesses of all sizes looking to get the most bang for their research buck. We understand that not all budgets are the same, and we will work with you to tailor a research solution that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

So whether you’re a startup looking to get your first insights into the market or a more established organisation looking to add to your research arsenal, we have a solution that will fit your needs.

Talk to WSS Today to Learn More About How We Can Help You

If you’re interested in learning more about how Wirral Sensory Services can help you with your product development or consumer research needs, we invite you to get in touch with us today.

Our team would be more than happy to discuss your specific needs and objectives and develop a tailor-made research solution to help you achieve your goals. Contact us today to learn more.

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Home use product testing offers brands developing products numerous advantages. From observing how a product performs within its intended environment to studying unscripted user behaviour, this type of testing provides brands with a wealth of feedback that can be used to improve product design and functionality.

But what feedback methods are available with home use product testing (sometimes referred to as in-home use testing)? Well, the good news is that there are several different ways to gather feedback from participants.

Here are four of the most popular methods:

1. Online Questionnaires

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to gather feedback and intelligence from a home use product test is via online questionnaires. These online forms allow participants to provide feedback on their experience in their own words, and brands can use this feedback to improve their products.

There are plenty of options within these questionnaires, from survey-style multiple-choice questions to open-ended questions that encourage participants to provide detailed feedback. This feedback method is an excellent option for brands on a tight budget or those looking to test a product on specific criteria.

2. One-on-One Interviews

Another option for researchers is conducting one-on-one interviews with the product testers. This format can be arranged either in-person or online via video call, allowing for a more in-depth conversation about the product experience.

The obvious advantage of interviews is that you gain more detailed, qualitative feedback from the participants. One-on-one interviews are excellent for uncovering user needs and understanding how a product is being used in the real world.

3. In-Home Observations

In-home observation involves researchers visiting participants’ homes and physically watching them using the products. This type of feedback is incredibly valuable as it allows brands to see first-hand how their products are being used and identify any potential issues.

This technique has saved some of the world’s biggest brands from failure, including Febreze. It’s often complemented with an in-person interview since researchers can ask questions in real time as they observe the product being used.

4. Telephone Surveys

Lastly, another popular option is telephone surveys. They work much in the same way as online questionnaires, except testers are able to provide more detail in their answers, and researchers can ask probing questions to elicit more information.

This feedback method is beneficial for getting insights from hard-to-reach demographics who might not be able to deliver online responses. It also removes some of the potential bias issues that come with trying to give honest feedback to someone in person.

Contact WSS to Discuss Your In-Home Product Testing Needs

Home use product testing delivers various benefits to brands, but the feedback-gathering process can be daunting. If you’re unsure which method is suitable for your needs, get in touch with the team at Wirral Sensory Services.

We have over 25 years of experience conducting in-home product testing for various brands and products. We can tailor both the testing and feedback methodology to your specific needs to deliver the insights you require.

So, if you want to find out more about our in-home product testing services or discuss your requirements in more detail with a member of our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.