The ‘try before you buy’ concept is making inroads in the retail world. Sample-only stores were first spotted in Asia with Tokyo-based Sample Lab and now the Barcelona-based Esloutimo shop has opened using a similar business model.
The Esloutimo shop’s ‘retail tryvertising’ allows customers to sample the latest products by paying a bi-annual fee of EUR 5 ($7.30 USD), which allows them to try five new products at the shop every two weeks. Included in the Esloutimo shop’s samples are food, cosmetics, gadgets, and household products.
Sample-Only Boutiques
Esloutimo Shop Charges Customers to Test a Variety of Products
Trend Themes
1. Sample-only Boutiques - A new type of retail experience where customers pay a small fee to test products before purchasing, disrupting the traditional retail model.
2. Retail Tryvertising - A trend of allowing consumers to try new products before buying, increasing consumer confidence in their purchases.
3. Subscription Sampling - Consumers can now subscribe to receive samples of new products regularly, disrupting traditional product launches.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Stores are adapting to the changing needs of consumers, providing them with a new shopping experience that fits their lifestyle.
2. Consumer Goods - Brands are recognizing the importance of allowing consumers to try their products before buying, as it leads to higher satisfaction rates and brand loyalty.
3. Marketing - Marketing strategies are shifting towards allowing consumers to experience products before buying, using social media and promotion to drive subscribers to sampling services.