Samples news and trends

Retailers Employ Freebie Model to Reduce Returns 
Retail // September 21, 2023

From November 2022 to mid-January of the current year, no less than 10% of weekly orders were subject to returns.   During periods of inflation and when households face budget limitations, there is an increased likelihood of customers returning products that fail to meet their expectations. In response,...

Subscriptions That Connect Specialty Coffee Consumers With Local Roasters
Subscription Commerce // January 06, 2020

When Jeff Borack received a membership to a whiskey tasting club as a gift, he was inspired to start his own venture. He first considered starting a new whiskey tasting club, but he was turned off by the many challenging legal issues around repackaging whiskey...

Amazon To Shut Down Free Sample Program
Amazon // November 26, 2019

Amazon has discontinued a program that would send users free samples based on the products they previously purchased, according to a report by CNBC. Amazon began the program earlier in the year, and it included products like mascara, perfume and food items. However, the program...

Interviews & Exclusives
Retailers Employ Freebie Model to Reduce Returns 

September 21, 2023
From November 2022 to mid-January of the current year, no less than 10% of weekly orders were subject to returns.   During periods of inflation and when households face budget limitations, there is an increased likelihood of customers returning products that fail to meet their expectations. In response, retailers are seeking ways to reduce returns, and one promising […]

Quick Reads
Free Samples Make Supermarket Comeback Amid Crowded Online Ad Space

October 16, 2023
Amid a crowded digital ad space, brands are embracing an analog marketing tactic: free samples. As Bloomberg News reported Monday (Oct. 16), a growing number of retailers are employing this method to entice consumers. The report gives the example of Walmart, which has been holding weekend demonstrations with complimentary samples at more than 120 stores since June, with […]

Amazon To Shut Down Free Sample Program

November 26, 2019
Amazon has discontinued a program that would send users free samples based on the products they previously purchased, according to a report by CNBC. Amazon began the program earlier in...