Test and pay with your opinion – Sample Central

The full online article can be found here: http://welovebudapest.com/en/shops-services/articles/2012/01/13/test-and-pay-with-your-opinion-sample-central

2012. 01. 13.

The age of tasting food in shops, free samples and pages-long consumer surveys, regardless of their efficacy as measurement tools of product quality, which is only known to producers, is over. That, however, is very much common knowledge that one sample of shampoo won’t make your hair permanently shiny, one pill won’t improve your everyday mood and a single application of a face cream won’t guarantee its long-term usage will have favorable results. No matter how colorful and innovative an advertisement campaign is, customers need first-hand experience because even if the people in a commercial are racing on 120% due to the effects of a super-coffee, it might not work for us. This line of thinking gave rise to Sample Central, where you don’t need a wallet or a purse, only your opinion.

In order to enter Sample Central, which can be found in Gozsdu Udvar, you need to fill out a form. This form is what informs the companies participating in the promotion about your age group, preferences, which product you liked or which you didn’t. Having done with entering the relevant data, you’re given a membership card and the opportunity to book an appointment when you want to come “shopping”. This is the only time you actually have to pay – 1499 HUF for registration fee and 4999 HUF for a one-year membership. After this only your opinion counts.

“We represent a forum for completely innovative marketing and market research purposes, where people come to try the products and let their opinion be heard. And they love it! Producers were worried about the questionnaire being a drag for customers but it’s not. Well, they contain only 12 questions, not pages of them. The visitors are positively proactive, they criticize even the questionnaire if they don’t like it.” – says Laura Novotny, the communication maganer.

The selection of products is quite wide, there are algae pills, herpes creams, deep-frozen meat products, chocolate, yoghurt and shampoo, and it’s changed biweekly. You take off the shelves what you want and finally you can complain all you want to not only your friends and on internet forums but directly to the producers. The surveys can touch down as early as in two weeks on the desks of those concerned. You must have also met products which needed only a little tweaking to be perfect but as they were, no-one bought them and so they vanished from shops with the promise they represented. So it’s even more fun to contribute to the perfection of the products currently under development, and get the best flavors, for instance, to where they belong. You won’t need to browse through comments on the internet at nights to learn who thinks what reasonable to buy because now you can decide after your first-hand experience.

Bits about the past

The first Sample Central shops opened in Tokyo in 2007 after the idea of an Australian man. Since then they have spread in both Asia and Latin America and the first European shop of the franchise was opened in Budapest in November 2011. As Laura Novotny told us, in Japan electronic products and services are more looked for, for example, many Japanese choose to have their aura read. Contrary to this, Brazilians tend to visit these shops for free chocolate, shampoo or lighters. The Budapest store is currently in its 1.0 version, with more emphasis put on products in order to give the public time to get used to the place and the system. Version 2.0 is planned to have more services, and free hairdressing or make-up consultation is a possibility, too. There is a special service, though, we were very happy to see: the free tickets of Karinthy Theater. If you’re still hesitating to pay 6500 HUF for the membership, you’d better make some calculations. Theater tickets cost 2500-4000 HUF on average, so if you manage to get your hands on two once a year, you’re just fine, and who knows how much more you’ll try in exchange for your opinion. But you might want to hurry because tickets tend to vanish into thin air in about one and a half day. The latest tickets arrived on 16 January.

It might come as a little disappointment but electronic gadgets can’t be taken home to be tested, one can only get intimate with a MacBook or an iPad in the shop, but the same is true for a massage armchair or a beanbag. It’s important, though, not to forget about filling out the questionnaire intoxicated by the abundance of free products if you want to come back for more. Since if you don’t give your opinion about a product, you won’t get another appointment.

“People are very much willing to complete the questionnaire, more than 95% of them does so. This is a very good figure. Producers were skeptical about the results but fortunately they had to realize they were wrong. People are aware that they can only come back if they give responses, and they’re not encouraged to not come back after a single free ride.”

The system employed by the test shop is easy to understand and get used to. This is assisted by the well-designed shopping environment and the points awarded for visits. And if you might’ve thought that the shop is mainly popular among young people, here’s the surprise for you. People in their 40s and 50s come here as well, and the ratio of men and women is also quite balanced, with 55-45% in women’s favor. Well, women are the ones who really like going shopping, right?

Sample Central Opens Its Doors In Budapest

Take these products home before you buy them, try them, and pay with your feedback
By Judith Tuna
22 November 2011 17:52

Hungary opens it doors on Friday 25 November to Europe’s first free store (tryvertising store) in the Court Yard of Gozsdu. This five-hundred-square meter store contains everything from cosmetics and household supplies, food, consumer electronics and cleaning products – all can be tested, tried, and taken home. All this for a one-time registration fee and annual membership fee which must be paid in order to become a member (6,480 forints is all!).

The store changes all the product every two weeks, with members allowed to take home up to five products in their visit. They then complete a short online questionnaire to give their opinion about the products they selected: this is the payment for the good instead of money.

Sample Central caters for all consumers, even those that do not have internet connection at home.

Consumer do not come to Sample Central and randomly take or try products. “The Sample Central model has the ability to revolutionise the way market research and sampling, brand advertising and marketing works. Our global figures tell us that more than 80% of members who like a product after trying it in Sample Central actually go an purchase those products” – explained Laura Novotny, Sample Central Communications Manager.

The design and layout of the store is like nothing before seen in Hungary.

About Sample Central
Sample Central was the pioneer in what today is know as Tryvertising, the word was invented to describe the business. After a length process of rebranding the business from Sample Lab, Sample Central is now positioned to spread across Europe with severl stores launching in countries over the next few months. Some countries are still available and can be applied for at www.sample-central.com

Sample Central, Budapest currently has the following companies products on their shelves which can be taken home for FREE: Johnson & Johnson (Listerine), Danone, Soos Pastry, Tante Fanny, Apple (iPad, MacBook), Flamber Ltd. (Indian washing nuts), Hungerit, frozen Mirsa, Novetex, Pureste, EVM Zrt (WU2) Coordwell (Spirulina Algae), Herstal (cold sore cream), Breastlight, Bábolna Bio (meal moth), Buszesz Ltd., Veritas Gold, Watts, Bird and Sons, Gilan Trading (Kalifa products), Spotless Hungary (Color Fingerboard cloth), Neo FM, MedEssence: sound test.

Sample Central Budapest – Official Opening Date

Sample Central’s flagship European store is set to open, on the 21st of November 2011.

BBJ: Sample Central to open in Budapest November 4

Budapest Business Journal

Sample Central to open in Budapest November 4

MTI – Econews

Monday, October 3, 2011, 5:30 PM CET

Sample Central, a store where consumers can try out new products in exchange for feedback, will open in Budapest on November 4, Sample Central told MTI on Monday.

The “tryvertising” idea was born in Australia and tested in Tokyo in 2007. A global network of franchises is now being established.

Surveys show more than 80% of people who are satisfied with products they try purchase them later.

Products at the store will be changed out every two weeks, communications manager Laura Novotny said when asked by MTI. International experience shows 7,000-10,000 consumers bring home products during each cycle, she added.

Sampling is central to product promotion

From the September Issue of Retail Middle East (RetailME)

Tryvertising (try-before-you-buy) is a new concept that facilitates free shopping and sampling for consumers while allowing FMCG manufacturers/distributors to promote/test a vast range of products, Lawrence Pinto reports

Read the full article here RetailME September2011 Sample Central pg50-51 (pdf file)

UAE store to let customers shop for free

A store offering consumers the chance to try out products for free is to open in the UAE this year. Peter Ward talks to Anthony James, founder of Sample Central, about the concept and the advantages to brands and customers alike.

Listen to the full interview here

Sample Central Video Posted on YouTube

See the latest Sample Central video posted on YouTube – content is user generated. Click here to watch.

KUONI: Dubai to get Sample Central outlet

Category: Dubai

23/08/2011 | C. Martin

Shopping trips have always been a highlight of Dubai holidays, now they take on an added attraction with a concept store that lets customers take home stuff for free.

Sample Central takes the try-before-you-buy concept one step further by giving away products to select customers in return for reviews instead of payments.

The store chain – which has a presence in Europe, South America and Asia – is set to make its debut in Dubai with an outlet opening at the Festival City shopping centre in November.

Its marketing strategy of “tryvertising” is simple enough – shoppers can sign up to become “bronze” members of the store and can pick up to five items a day from a selection of about 70 or 100.

After trying out the products, these select customers will give their reviews, which will be used for promotion.

Bronze members can collect loyalty points and go on to become “silver” customers who will be allowed seven items for each visit.

Sample Central in Dubai will have up to 35,000 members from all demographics who will be charged Dh100 (£16) annually for a membership fee.

Store visits can be scheduled on the chain’s website and the more regular members are, the more loyalty points they will earn.

UAE | General: Unique idea: Now, shop for free

Yes, you can buy what you want from over 150 products without paying a dirham at new concept store opening in Dubai shortly

By Muby Asger, Staff Reporter
Published: 00:00 August 11, 2011

Dubai: Imagine going shopping, browsing through the aisles of a supermarket, picking up anything that appeals to you, and then walking away without paying a single dirham.

When Sample Central, a new concept store by Australian entrepreneur Anthony James, opens its doors to Dubai at Festival City in November, the dream of shopping for free will become a reality for many.

“It’s tryvertising [try before you buy], in the best sense possible,” says James. “Consumers get the opportunity to take something and try it out before making the decision to buy.”

In exchange for their purchases, consumers pay with their opinion. Each buyer is required to fill out a survey of the product they have taken home, in exchange for being given the item.

A retail store destination like no other, Sample Central is a members-only store, with an annual membership of Dh100. Members have access to their own online portal page on the store’s website, www.samplecentral.ae, to manage their shopping experiences. While membership will only open closer to the launch date of the store, pre-registration is now available on the website.

Since each member is allowed to pick up five items per visit, per day, to the store, time and access is restricted. “A member needs to pre-book to shop there. Each shopping experience is limited to an hour of in-store time, at the end of which the shopper checks out, heads home to test their free products and submits a review.

“Human nature dictates that everyone loves something for free,” says James. “As a result, there are no prices associated with our products. People will “buy” products based entirely on what is relevant to them and what appeals to them instead of buying based on affordability.”

The concept of try before you buy also has huge financial benefits for the brand, explains James. “Take, for example, a bottle of shampoo. Most people already know which shampoo works best for them. It’s a brand they’ve been using for a long time. However, given the chance to get another brand for free, and having tried it out, they may just prefer it over their existing brand. Our surveys show that 80 per cent of the time, consumers are ready to pay extra for a new brand that they have sampled, over their existing product.”

When the store launches in November, expect to sample from around 150 different brands, on a fortnightly rotation, so that no product remains in the store for over two weeks at a time. Products and items available will include most things that one could find in a supermarket. All FMCG items from foodstuff to cosmetics, cleaning products, accessories and electronics will be available, from the low-budget brands all the way up to the designer tags.

As James says, it’s the country’s first free store. Who can refuse such an irresistible offer?

100 dirhams is the annual membership fee

Read on GulfNews website

trendwatching.com: in the media: Unique idea, shop for free

read on trendwatching.com here

Unique idea: Now, shop for free

August 11, 2011

Yes, you can buy what you want from over 150 products without paying a dirham at new concept store opening in Dubai shortly

Dubai: Imagine going shopping, browsing through the aisles of a supermarket, picking up anything that appeals to you, and then walking away without paying a single dirham.
When Sample Central, a new concept store by Australian entrepreneur Anthony James, opens its doors to Dubai at Festival City in November, the dream of shopping for free will become a reality for many.
“It’s tryvertising [try before you buy], in the best sense possible,” says James. “Consumers get the opportunity to take something and try it out before making the decision to buy.”
In exchange for their purchases, consumers pay with their opinion. Each buyer is required to fill out a survey of the product they have taken home, in exchange for being given the item.
A retail store destination like no other, Sample Central is a members-only store, with an annual membership of Dh100. Members have access to their own online portal page on the store’s website, www.samplecentral.ae, to manage their shopping experiences. While membership will only open closer to the launch date of the store, pre-registration is now available on the website.
Since each member is allowed to pick up five items per visit, per day, to the store, time and access is restricted. “A member needs to pre-book to shop there. Each shopping experience is limited to an hour of in-store time, at the end of which the shopper checks out, heads home to test their free products and submits a review.
“Human nature dictates that everyone loves something for free,” says James. “As a result, there are no prices associated with our products. People will “buy” products based entirely on what is relevant to them and what appeals to them instead of buying based on affordability.”
The concept of try before you buy also has huge financial benefits for the brand, explains James. “Take, for example, a bottle of shampoo. Most people already know which shampoo works best for them. It’s a brand they’ve been using for a long time. However, given the chance to get another brand for free, and having tried it out, they may just prefer it over their existing brand. Our surveys show that 80 per cent of the time, consumers are ready to pay extra for a new brand that they have sampled, over their existing product.”
When the store launches in November, expect to sample from around 150 different brands, on a fortnightly rotation, so that no product remains in the store for over two weeks at a time. Products and items available will include most things that one could find in a supermarket. All FMCG items from foodstuff to cosmetics, cleaning products, accessories and electronics will be available, from the low-budget brands all the way up to the designer tags.
As James says, it’s the country’s first free store. Who can refuse such an irresistible offer?

Sample Central Promotional Video – Budapest, Hungary

Watch the newest Sample Central promotional video here

Proudly posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4–EkuccGYk

Italy: Ora il «campione gratuito» lo trovi anche tra gli scaffali del supermercato

Corriere della Sera >
Esteri >
Ora il «campione gratuito» lo trovi anche tra gli scaffali del supermercato

l’ultima frontiera del «tryvertising»

Ora il «campione gratuito» lo trovi
anche tra gli scaffali del supermercato

A Budapest prendi ciò che vuoi, se in cambio dai la tua opinione sul prodotto.

l’ultima frontiera del «tryvertising»

Ora il «campione gratuito» lo trovi
anche tra gli scaffali del supermercato

A Budapest prendi ciò che vuoi, se in cambio dai la tua opinione sul prodotto. C’è anche in India, ma online

MILANO – A Budapest sta per aprire un supermercato speciale: viaggiando tra i suoi scaffali si riempirà il carrello di prodotti a costo zero, tutti nuovi, di tutte le marche. Dal dentifricio al prodotto di bellezza, passando per la merendina e il detersivo, a seconda del periodo e delle campagne in corso si potrà trovare qualsiasi genere normalmente venduto in un negozio a pagamento. Arrivati alla cassa, basterà esibire la propria tessera di appartenenza al club e andare a casa con sacchetto e portafoglio pieni. Unico compito: una volta provati i prodotti avuti in dono, bisognerà raccontare al negozio cosa ne pensiamo.

TRYVERTISING – È questa l’ultima declinazione del «tryvertising», quella forma di pubblicità antica del provare per credere, da noi più conosciuta attraverso il regalo di campioncini di nuovi prodotti distribuiti a fronte di una determinata soglia di spesa, o somministrati da hostess sorridenti all’interno del supermercato in cui stiamo acquistando le derrate per casa. L’obiettivo finale è sempre lo stesso: creare attraverso il passaparola una prima base di consumatori fedeli al nuovo prodotto. Ancor più credibili con amici e conoscenti proprio perché hanno provato la merce. Ma anche, grazie ai loro feedback, migliorarne ingredienti e packaging prima di sbarcare sul mercato dei grandi numeri.

COME FUNZIONA – Il nuovo supermercato ungherese sarà riservato solo agli utenti che si saranno registrati, inizialmente su invito e poi direttamente attraverso una scheda da compilare online o all’ingresso del negozio. Per andare a far la spesa gratuitamente bisognerà pagare una iscrizione annuale di circa 5 euro e una quota annuale sotto ai 20. E poi si potrà far visita al negozio. Qui ci saranno angoli per provare direttamente alcuni campioni, uno spazio per le dimostrazioni, oppure si potrà fare la spesa e portarla a casa. La visita seguente sarà legata ai commenti rilasciati sulle cose «comprate» la volta precedente: solo quando l’utente avrà compilato i questionari online avrà nuovamente diritto ai regali successivi. Il modello è partito già da qualche anno (i precursori furono i giapponesi già nel 2007 ) e la società che amministra il franchising è alla ricerca di investitori in tutto il mondo pronti ad aprire nuovi supermercati.

Hungary’s first free test store, the Sample Central opens during the autumn

Trade Magazin: Hungary’s first free test store, the Sample Central opens during the autumn

Szerző: tradeeditor | Dátum: 2011. 07. 11. 12:44 | Utolsó módosítás: 2011. 07. 11. 19:09

Hungary’s first free test store, the Sample Central opens in the Király utca. According to the intention of the founders of the store; they intend to introduce a new concept in Hungary.

The 500 sqm store of the Sample Central will be opened in the Gozsdu Court, where a wide range of products (cosmetics, beauty and household products, packaged foods, beverages, technical articles, widgets) and services will be available only to club members. The club members can register online, and can visit the store in a pre-ordered period, and occasionally may carry home five different products to try – and can try the technical innovations and services, for free. The product range is renewed every two weeks, approx. 40 products and services debut per cycle – reports Penzcentrum.hu.

Read online here

The Budapest Times: Sample Central set for autumn debut

The first Hungarian franchise of “tryvertising” stores Sample Central will open in the autumn in downtown Budapest, business daily Napi Gazdaság reported on Wednesday.

The business model of Sample Central allows its paid members to try out the latest – and often unreleased – products and to take many samples home for free. In return, members complete surveys to help brands, designers and manufacturers to improve their products for the mass market. The partners of the Hungarian version are not known yet but worldwide testers include Nestlé, Nivea and Johnson & Johnson. The Hungarian website of the franchise says the registration fee will be HUF 1,990 (EUR 7.41) and the annual fee HUF 4,990 (EUR 18.57).

Monday, 18 July 2011 Read On The Budapest Times website here

PSFK: European Store Encourages Product Sampling In Exchange For Feedback

By Don Michael Acelar De Leon on July 18, 2011
via PSFK

Sample Central, a new store that banks on the potential of “tryvertising,” makes its debut in Budapest’s Gozsdu Udvar in August. Initially launched in Japan under the name “Sample Lab,” Sample Central allows its members to try out the range of products and services on offer in-store or at home for free. In return, members must complete online surveys about products they have sampled as a means of providing feedback to manufacturers, who then use the data gathered for research and further development. Registration for Sample Central is slated to be HUF 1,490, with an annual membership fee of HUF 5,000.

Springwise: Tryvertising comes to Budapest with a new members-only store

Read on Springwise.com

Tryvertising comes to Budapest with a new members-only store

Regular readers of Springwise may remember our article on the Sample Lab tryvertising store in Japan. Now, following a major rebranding exercise, and having renamed to Sample Central, that same company is planning to bring the same experience to Hungary’s Budapest, with a new membership-based store.

The first European Sample Central store is set to open in Budapest’s Gozsdu Udvar in August. Operating in a similar way to Sample Lab, the new store allows its members to try out the range of products and services on offer, sometimes in store, but also with options to take a number of products home for free. The only “payment” required is that these members must complete online surveys regarding the products they have sampled, providing feedback to manufacturers which acts as valuable research for development. Once the surveys are completed, the members can book an appointment and return to the store to pick up more items, but at no time are they required to return anything they have sampled. The store in Budapest will boast a powder room for in-store sampling of beauty products, a members-only space, and a product demonstration area.

According to a report on Caboodle, the registration fee for the store in Hungary will be HUF 1,490, with an annual membership fee of HUF 5,000. Interestingly, that means the new Hungarian store’s registration and membership fee is nearly twice as much as the original Japanese SampleLab, possibly reflecting the growing value and success of the model for both consumers and suppliers alike. With that in mind, is this a concept to get involved with as it sets up for future launches around the globe?

Website: www.sample-central.com
Contact: www.sample-central.com/contact-us

http://www.springwise.com/?p=8615

Tryvertising comes to Budapest with a new members-only store

Website: www.sample-central.com
Contact: www.sample-central.com/contact-us

Read online at Flippies

BBJ: Europe’s first Sample Central store to open in Budapest

BBJ

Thursday 10:20, July 14th, 2011

Europe’s first Sample Central store will open in downtown Budapest in September, offering a chance for manufacturers and developers to present their novelties and have them tested by prospective buyers, business daily Napi Gazdaság said on Wednesday.

The facility, forming part of the global Sample Central franchise network, will be based on “tryvertising” (try before you buy), an idea born in Australia and first realized in Tokyo in 2007. This model of marketing has been a success in the Far East and South America but has not yet taken root in Europe.

The Budapest store will offer a broad range of commodities, ranging from pre-packed food and cosmetics to household goods and technical equipment, to members, who must register themselves online beforehand. They can then take home a sample for testing, and in return they will be asked for an opinion via a questionnaire.

Read on Budapest Business Journal

“Tryvertising” store to open in Budapest

“Trysumers” will be able to take home products from the store for free.

By: All Hungary News

2011-07-13 09:49

“Tryvertising” store Sample Central will open its first European branch in Budapest’s Gozsdu Udvar at the end of August.

At Sample Central stores, registered club members – for a low registration fee and an annual member fee – can take home and try a certain number of products. They do not have to give the products back but cannot return to the store until they fill in an online questionnaire about them. The system is maintained by companies which pay for having their products presented and information collected about them.

http://www.caboodle.hu/nc/news/news_archive/single_page/article/11/tryvertisin/?cHash=80df577e6c

In Hungary, the registration fee will be Ft 1,490 (€5.60) and the annual member fee Ft 5,000. The maxmimum number of products that can be taken home will be five. Business partners of the Hungarian store are not yet known, but in other stores of the franchise system, the largest FMCG and electronics companies are present, such as Procter & Gamble, Avon, Nestlé, Nivea, Sara Lee, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft and Reckitt Benckiser. [kreativ.hu]

Budapest, Hungary: Tesztáruház nyílik a Gozsduban

For those that read Hungarian:

Fogyasztói tesztelőket szállít a cégeknek a Sample Central nevű próbaáruház, amely első üzletét Budapesten, a Gozsduban nyitja meg.

http://www.kreativ.hu/marketing/cikk/tesztaruhaz_nyilik_a_gozsduban

A Sample Central nevű üzlethálózat Európában először Magyarországon vezeti be a tesztvásárlói modellt. Az üzleti modell a Távol-Keleten és Dél-Amerikában már működik, ősztől az európai piacot próbálják bevenni.

A modell arra épül, hogy az üzletbe regiszrált klubtagok egy előzetes regisztrációs díj (esetünkben 1490 Ft) és egy éves tagdíj (5000 Ft) fejében az üzletből hazavihetnek magukkal bizonyos mennyiségű terméket (itt ötöt), otthon kipróbálhatják azokat és meg is tarthatják. Amíg azonban nem töltik ki a termékekkel kapcsolatos online-kérdőíveket, addig nem mehetnek vissza a boltba.

A rendszert nem a vásárlók tartják fent, mert nincsenek vásárlók, hanem azok a cégek, amelyek a teszttermékek bemutatásáért, kiállítóhelyért és az azonnali, valamint a Sample Central kérdőívein beérkező információkért fizetnek. Arra épül, hogy a gyártók, forgalmazók visszajelzést kapjanak egy termék várható sikerére, erősségeire és gyengéire vonatkozóan. Így a fogyasztó véleménye, igénye a termékfejlesztés részévé válhat.

A magyar tesztáruház üzleti partnerei egyelőre nem ismertek, de a franchise-rendszer más üzleteiben a legnagyobb fmcg- és elektronikai cégek termékei jelennek meg, mint például a Procter & Gamble, az Avon, a Nestlé, a Nivea, a Sara Lee, az Unilever, a Johnson & Johnson, a Kraft vagy a Reckitt Benckiser.

A tesztáruházba előre kell helyet foglalni, egyelőre nincs korlátozva a látogatások száma. A külföldi tapasztalatok alapján a gyakorlat azt mutatja, hogy eleinte hetente egyszer, később viszont havonta egyszer látogatnak el a tagok az üzletbe. A tesztelők nem termékmintákat vihetnek magukkal, hanem a polcokra kihelyezett normál értékű és méretű termékeket, melyeket meg is tarthatnak, azokat nem kell visszaadniuk. Vannak olyan termékek is az üzletben, amelyeket csak helyi kipróbálásra szántak, ezek azonban egyértelműen jelölve vannak.

A Sample Central

A Sample Central egy az egész világra kiterjedő franchise hálózat, aminek az ötlete Ausztráliából származik, és első üzlete Tokióban nyílt meg 2007-ben. A koncepció alapja a „tryvertising” szóból ered (try – kipróbálni, advertising – reklámozni), ami gyakorlatban annyit tesz, hogy a fogyasztók a vásárlás előtt kipróbálhatják, használhatják az adott termékeket, tesztelhetik azokat. Öt év után után a Sample Central üzlete augusztus végén – Európában először – Magyarországon nyílik, a Sample Central / Sample World Zrt. által.

Dubai One – TV

See the recent Sample Central interview on Dubai TV

click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1G1wS5uOl8&feature=related

The Gulf Today: Shopping for free

Shopping for free

by Indrani Mishra	April 29, 2011

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/34da023d-9b27-41a3-9272-124a024e0cab.aspx

How do you feel when you open up your favourite magazine and, instead of airbrushed faces of celebrities glaring into your face, you see a sachet of shampoo or lotion that you had been thinking of buying recently? Great, isn’t it? No doubt, getting a freebie makes your day. How would it be when you don’t have to pay a penny for anything that you pick up? Hold your breath. This concept of an outlet, where everything is free, is no longer a shopper’s dream. It is a unique concept of marketing, which is soon coming to the UAE — courtesy Sample Central.

Sample Central works on a unique concept called “try-vertising” that has been taking Latin America and Eastern Europe by storm. It is a based on the concept of “try before you buy” (in the true sense). The basic idea of try-vertising is to familiarize customers with products by giving them an opportunity to try them out in the course of their daily life. It offers growing businesses a great opportunity to promote their products without advertising, explains Anthony J. James, founder of Sample Central.

Explaining the concept further, he adds: “The days of offering a free sachet of shampoo in a magazine are gone. There are far more options for drawing in and retaining customers. Nowadays, consumers are getting immune to traditional kinds of advertising. They are not really interested in being told what to buy.”

This is where Sample Central comes into play, says James. “We give customers a chance to choose from a variety of products, and all for free. We invite customers to try out anything and everything that’s on our shelves. In fact, most of the products can be taken home without charge. Customers can choose any product, which they want or is relevant to them.

There’s a catch however — shoppers have to complete an online survey in which they express their opinions (about the products) by filling out a questionnaire for each product they take home or use for free.

But the effort is well-worth it, says James. By sparing a few minutes, one gets to pick up a bottle of lotion, laundry detergent, the latest flavoured milk or pick up the latest music CD — all without spending even a dime.

Though “try-vertising” has been bubbling under since 2005, it is now growing in popularity and ambition all over the world. It is a cross between advertising, product promotion and marketing communication. It takes product placement to the real world, integrating products into the daily lives of consumers so they can make up their minds based on their actual experience with the products.

According to James, try-vertising is highly effective because it targets end users directly, in contrast to indirect campaigns in which celebrities or influencers talk to the masses about them.

“Try-vertising comprises activities that are a natural fit with consumers. When the consumer actually tries out the product, their experiences are much stronger than just hearing about it or seeing someone else use it in the media.”

“Take our toothpaste, for example. Most of us are using the same brand since our childhood. In spite of numerous other brands available in the market, we still stick to it because of various reasons — while for some it’s a matter of taste, for others it’s a matter of habit. Most of the customers don’t believe in switching brands, even if the new product in the market is better in quality. Sample Central, on the other hand, is not forcing customers to buy this new brand of toothpaste, but is just giving them so that they can use it and experience it for real, without spending any money.”

Sample Central also provides spaces to promote new products and innovations, explains James. “This can work especially well with brands that are trying to reach out to a market that they don’t really know well. Instead of spending millions to know the market, making investments in getting products into the country and then advertising about them, companies can directly put up their products in Sample Central for consumers to try for themselves and make up their own minds. The types of products that customers will be able to sample will predominantly be of the fast moving kind, and comprise toiletries as well as food and beverage items,” he says.

The concept of Sample Central is based on membership. Each member pays an annual fee, which is Dhs. 100 in the UAE. Once signed up, all that members have to do is book an appointment and then head to the store to shop for free. Initially, customers will have a one-hour window in which to browse and select up to five items. After trying out the items on display, they have to complete an online survey and offer their feedback, after which they get their next appointment.

Sample Central will be opening its first Dubai store in July’11. Al Khayyat investments, Sample Central’s franchise partner for the MENA region, is looking to open five stores in the UAE.

Dubai Eye Business Breakfast Radio

Anthony J James from Sample Central, talks about Sample Central coming to the UAE via franchise. Sample Central is a store in which people try items for free.

Listen to the broadcast now. Click here.

Customers in for a treat as outlet unveils ‘shop-for-free’ concept

Dubai: Coming soon to Dubai: an outlet where everything is free. No, this is not every shopper’s pipedream, but a consumer research concept that has been taking Latin America and Eastern Europe by storm.

“Sample Central can work especially well with brands [which] are looking to bring in products from overseas to a market they don’t know well,” James said.

“Instead of making the investment of getting a product into the country, on the shelf and blasting the media about it, consumers have the ability to try it themselves and make up their own minds.”

One of the biggest challenges brands face is trying to find relevance when distributing their samples and placing advertisements. There is no guarantee either that the samples are tried out by the right target audience.

“It’s more relevant and cost-effective than mass advertising and allows consumers to become familiar with products by actually trying them out,” James said.

The types of merchandise retailers will be able to sample will predominantly be of the fast moving kind, and comprise toiletries as well as food and beverage items.

Al Khayyat investments, Sample Central’s franchise partner for the Mena region, is looking to open five stores in the UAE starting with Dubai by about July.

The concept is membership driven. Each of them pays an annual fee and once signed up, is able to effectively shop for free. The fee will purposely be kept low, allowing the samples to be tried by a broad consumer spectrum.

Members will have to book an appointment before heading to the outlet where they will have a one-hour window in which to browse and select up to five items.

After trying the items on display, they will be able to complete an online survey and offer their thoughts.

When all five surveys are complete, they can then go back to the shops for some more samples.

While it differs from market to market, James says the product window in this market will be around 15 days. The concept does not just work as a research tool, but as a method of introducing consumers to a new brand.

According to James, around 86 per cent of members who have taken a product out of their store have gone back to where it’s sold and bought it, even if it is slightly more expensive than other brands.

The shops will also feature larger consumer products where shoppers can try, feel and use the products in-house.

Sample TVs will come with a remote and shoppers will be able to book instant test drives with on-site cars. The number of surveys completed will also be connected to loyalty points which will be linked to real-time rewards such as air miles and products within supermarkets.

Gulf News: Research concept offers free shopping experience

The outlet, Sample Central, works on the notion of “try-vertising”, where consumers are encouraged to choose from a selection of free samples the product that is most relevant to them and let the company behind the brand know what they think of it.

By Aya Lowe, Staff Reporter Published: March 29, 2011 FULL ARTICLE HERE

“We find consumers are increasingly immune to advertising and are not really interested in being told what to buy,” said Anthony James, founder of Sample Central.

“We call them ‘try-sumers’ — consumers who prefer to try first. That’s where brands really see a true connection with the Sample Central model.”

The concept thus offers an insight into a consumer market where it may be hard to gather information.

Read the full article online at: here

Kippreport: A freebie for your thoughts

Based on the tryvertising (try before you buy) concept, Sample Central is opening in the UAE—its first presence in the MENA region—through exclusive regional franchise partner Al Khayyat Investment. Its first outlet opened in Japan and has since then also gained popularity across Brazil and here’s a video from CBS News to give you an idea of how to get free stuff from in exchange for your marketing and product feedback.

AmericanWay – It’s All about the Freebies

The best way to get customers into your store? Give away all your products.
CONSUMERS HAVE STARTED FEELING ABOUT SHOPPING MALLS the same way investors do about subprime mortgages. Around the world, personal savings have skyrocketed, leaving retailers with the overwhelming problem of trying to lure shoppers back into stores.

Now one company has a novel idea that seems bound to succeed in these tough economic times: It’s giving away the store.

Sample Lab! International invites customers in to try anything on its shelves, and most of the products can be taken home without charge. Consider it “try-vertising.” Of course there’s a catch — shoppers must fill out a questionnaire for each product they take. But the effort is well worth it to have a day of shopping yield a bottle of sake, laundry detergent, and the latest single from a hot musician without your having to spend a dime.

“The concept of going into a shopping mall and being able to shop absolutely free, exchanging no money whatsoever, is unique,” says Anthony James, Sample Lab!’s global general manager. “Nothing is behind glass. You can try, touch, or taste anything in the store.”

Fearing copycats, James is cagey about sharing Sample Lab!’s business plan, though he says the store serves not only as a dream supermarket for shoppers but also as a giant lab for companies needing to test new products.

Corporations, from electronics manufacturers to pasta makers, place their wares on the shelves of Sample Lab! and wait for customers to take them for a test-drive. The customer feedback then allows the companies to refine flavor, packaging, and anything else testers suggest on the short questionnaire they must fill out. Asking for consumer feedback will also build brand loyalty, businesses hope.

“You can try to feel products in ways which visual media — TV, newspapers, magazines, websites — never realize,” explains Nishida Yukihira, a spokesperson for Lion Corporation, one of Sample Lab!’s biggest clients. “We can arrange the displays ourselves in whatever way we like so that we can put concentration on our brand image in a way that supermarkets never do.”

After a year of planning, Sample Lab! opened its first store in the landmark “Iceberg” building in Tokyo, Japan, in July 2007. On opening day, the line to get in stretched three blocks — and traffic hasn’t slowed much since then.

Every day, the store hosts about 700 eager shoppers ready to get their mooch on, the kind of foot traffic even a New Jersey mall dreams of.

“We’ve been approached by major consortiums who build shopping malls all over the world, from Taipei to L.A., saying, ‘We want you in our mall because we see the draw you have with consumers,’ “ James says.

After eight months of tweaking the store model in real conditions, Sample Lab! began franchising, opening a second store in Seoul, South Korea. The company now seems ready to explode around the globe — it’s received written interest for franchises in 159 countries.

James said the business will likely expand into at least six additional countries by the end of 2009, including the United States (where it could possibly open under a different brand name) and England, and outside experts believe there is very little that can stop Sample Lab!’s growth.

“I believe that the Sample Lab! idea is founded in a profound understanding of human beings,” says Kevin Roberts, worldwide CEO of marketing giant Saatchi & Saatchi. “If someone has a chance to touch and hold something, they are more likely to buy it and to pay a premium for it. That’s a powerful reason to believe that sampling opportunities like Sample Lab! can attract new customers and gather insights from their responses.”

Read the whole artice here

SampleCube is pleased to announce acquisition by Sample Central LLC.

SampleCube is pleased to announce its acquisition by Sample Central, LLC. (www.sample-central.com). Sample Central is a unique retail experience – formally known as Sample Lab! the FIRST and ORIGINAL tryvertising store.

Sample Central is exactly the same business concept and model…just a new brand!

In announcing the acquisition, Gus Hansen, SampleCube CEO, stated, “Sample Central is the FUTURE of product sampling, product testing, product research, product placement, product relevance, consumer targeting, retail experience, brand advertising and Tryvertising. Sample Central integrates a Brands, goods and services into daily life in a more relevant way, allowing consumers to make up their minds based on experience not brands advertising messages. The Sample Central website is located at www.sample-central.com

Trybefore-youbuy.com is pleased to announce our strategic alliance with Sample Central LLC.

Try Before You Buy (also know as TryB4UBuy) is proud to announce our strategic alliance with Sample Central, LLC. (www.sample-central.com). Sample Central is a unique retail experience – formally known as SampleLab! the FIRST and ORIGINAL tryvertising store.

Sample Central is exactly the same business concept and model…just a new brand!

Sample Central is…

a unique retail experience
a place that focuses on, and gives consumers, the choice
a space to promote and test products and innovations
tryvertising (try before you buy) in the true sense
a portal that allows a Brand to cut thru the advertising clutter
the new standard in product placement
Sample Central is shopping for FREE

In formalising the relationship, CEO of TB4UB Robin Klein, said, “Everyone is familiar with the obvious product sampling – free shampoo sachets on a magazine cover, or point of sale promotion stands in the supermarket. The big challenge for brands has always been a certain lack of relevance: there is no guarantee samples are tried out at the right time, in the right place, or by the right target audience! Sample Central takes the obvious and incorporates it into the more targeted, more relevant, new-style subtle product sampling. Making product placement part of the landscape, part of the real-world, where consumers hang out and certainly don’t mind trying something as long as it makes sense to them. They will even provide you valuable feedback on those samples!”

SampleSpot is pleased to announce acquisition by Sample Central LLC.

SampleSpot is pleased to announce our acquisition by Sample Central, LLC. (www.sample-central.com). Sample Central is a unique retail experience – formally known as SampleLab! the FIRST and ORIGINAL tryvertising store.

Sample Central is exactly the same business concept and model…just a new brand!

In announcing the acquisition, Robert Trading, global president of SampleSpot, said, “Sample Central has instant appeal to the Trysumers – todays growing group of experienced consumers, immune to traditional advertising, who enjoy full access to information, reviews and navigation. These experienced consumers are trying out: new appliances, new services, new flavours, new authors, new artists, new music, new games, new destinations, new outfits, new…well new anything! Sample Central is a space and a place for these Trysumers.”

The Sample Central website is located at www.sample-central.com

Sample-mart.com is pleased to announce our strategic alliance with Sample Central LLC.

SampleMart is proud to announce our strategic alliance with Sample Central, LLC. (www.sample-central.com). Sample Central is a unique retail experience – formally known as SampleLab! the FIRST and ORIGINAL tryvertising store.

In formalising the relationship, the president of Sample Box Gary Wynne, stated, “Sample Central is the innovator and leader in the field of real time Tryvertising (try before you buy). Their model is more relevant and cost effective than mass advertising, and allows consumers to become familiar with products by actually trying them out. A simple human emotion that gets real results for brand owners.” The Sample Central website is located at www.sample-central.com

Sample Plaza is pleased to announce our acquisition by Sample Central LLC.

Sample Plaza is proud to announce our acquisition by Sample Central, LLC. (www.sample-central.com). Sample Central is a unique retail experience – formally known as Sample Lab! the FIRST and ORIGINAL tryvertising store.

Sample Central is exactly the same business concept and model…just a new brand!

Sample Central is…

a unique retail experience
a place that focuses on, and gives consumers, the choice
a space to promote and test products and innovations
tryvertising (try before you buy) in the true sense
a portal that allows a Brand to cut thru the advertising clutter
the new standard in product placement
Sample Central is shopping for FREE

In announcing the acquisition, SVP or Marketing Peter Zhāng said, “Today’s market place is saturated with unwanted advertising samples. Sample Central gives its customers the choice of what THEY WANT to sample. Members only pay with their opinions, opinions that help Brands, Designers and Manufacturers to improve, and fine-tune, their products for the mass market.” The Sample Central website is at www.sample-central.com

Sample-Box.com is pleased to announce our acquisition by Sample Central LLC.

Sample Box is proud to announce our acquisition by Sample Central, LLC. (www.sample-central.com). Sample Central is a unique retail experience – formally known as Sample Lab! the FIRST and ORIGINAL tryvertising store.

Sample Central is exactly the same business concept and model…just a new brand!

In formalising the relationship, the CEO of Sample Box Gordon Bunch, stated, “Sample Central allows its members to try out the latest and often unreleased products, making a direct connection between brands and consumers. The feedback gained for this type of tryvertising is invaluable to brands worldwide. We are exceptionally pleased to be part of this great franchise.” The Sample Central website is at www.sample-central.com

SampleBag is proud to announce our strategic alliance with Sample Central LLC.

SampleBag is proud to announce our strategic alliance with Sample Central (www.sample-central.com). Sample Central is a unique retail experience – formally known as Sample Lab! the FIRST and ORIGINAL tryvertising store.

Sample Central is exactly the same business concept and model…just a new brand!

Sample Central is…

a unique retail experience
a place that focuses on, and gives consumers, the choice
a space to promote and test products and innovations
tryvertising (try before you buy) in the true sense
a portal that allows a Brand to cut thru the advertising clutter
the new standard in product placement
Sample Central is shopping for FREE

In formalising the relationship, Andrew Gunter, president of SampleBag, stated, “Sample Central has the longest history in the FREE shopping space, creating the concept back in 2007, this history means we will provide an exceptional experience to our members. Their franchise system, knowledge and skills greatly enhance our ability to bring this concept to market.” The website for Sample Central can be viewed at www.sample-central.com.