Expect to see free samples like what you get at Costco at more stores soon.
More stores are welcoming samples into their aisles as brands look for ways to attract consumers' attention — and, ideally, get them to buy what they're selling, Bloomberg reported Monday.
Brands from Oreo-maker Mondelez to startup wipe brand Dude Wipes are among those that are stepping up their sampling game lately, according to Bloomberg. Among retailers, Walmart is rolling out free samples to 1,000 locations, and supermarket operator Wakefern is adding vending machines for free samples to 95 locations.
Sampling took a hit during the pandemic. Even Costco scaled back free samples as COVID spread.
Since then, the warehouse retailer has brought sampling back to its stores. They're now common enough again that one TikToker made a meal out of Costco samples.
Samples have also gained popularity with brands given changes in the advertising market. Many smaller brands say paid ads aren't working as well as they used to. That's led some to put products in customers' hands for free in hopes of attracting first-time buyers, according to Bloomberg.
Dude Wipes, for instance, is paying people to hand out packs of wipes at Target, Founder Sean Riley told Bloomberg. The company is also offering individually packaged wipes through vending machines at Sam's Club.
"We're in the habit change business, and the best way to change someone's habit is to give them a chance to try your product," Riley told Bloomberg.
Mondelez, meanwhile, has been trialing Oreos with orange-colored creme at Walmart stores, according to the article.
