In-store product sampling has long been one of the most trusted ways of introducing shoppers to new brands and for brands to acquire new customers.
But the traditional in-store demo - four hours at a folding table with a part-time rep - hasn’t kept pace with the evolving preferences and needs of the modern shopper. Showdrop was founded to change that.
Through smart temperature-controlled kiosks that vend product samples combined with digital, text-message touch points, Showdrop is re-imagining in-store demos.
In a year since launching, they’ve secured initial placements in two Kroger banners: Mariano’s in Chicago and Roundy’s in Milwaukee, and they’ve shown that this new approach to sampling is not just loved by shoppers but is also driving significant impact for brands.
How it works: Shoppers scan a QR code with their phone to receive a free sample from a Showdrop kiosk, which they can try in-store or take home to experience on their own terms. Immediately after the sample is dispensed, Showdrop sends the shopper a text message that guides them to the product’s exact location in the store and provides additional details on the item - making findability in-store a non-issue and driving purchase.
For shoppers, the appeal comes from a mix of factors: the ease of a digital-first solution, the fun of choosing which item to sample among a variety of options, and the chance to learn about new brands that they can then try.
As a result, each Showdrop kiosk attracts hundreds of shoppers who take samples weekly, with many providing feedback on how Showdrop has increased their excitement to visit the store regularly and discover new samples.
Read more from Alex Segura, CEO & Co-Founder of Showdrop, in the latest issue here
