# Taste-Focused Cheese Shops This Store Encourages Customers to Sample Products Before They Buy By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2015-12-10 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sample-products References: [denver.eater](http://denver.eater.com/2015/12/8/9870170/cheese-provisions-sunnyside) & [cheeseandprovisions](https://www.cheeseandprovisions.com/) 'Cheese+Provisions' is a Denver-based cheese shop that encourages customers to sample products before they buy. While most grocery stores provide the occasional free sample, this is largely done on a promotional basis. This store gives consumers an opportunity to try any of its hand-crafted goods before making a purchase. Cheese+Provisions is an artisan cheese shop operated by Steve and Kim Duty. Steve is a professional cheesemonger who has operated his own cheese-making operation. With his ties to the local creameries, Steve is able to sell [hand-crafted cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/softripened-goat-cheese) that are not found in traditional grocery stores. To encourage customers to taste the hand-selected offerings, the store offers samples, [onsite cheese boards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-cheese-board) and [pre-selected alcohol pairings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whisky-sample). There is even a Cheese of the Month Club that showcases different varieties. By allowing customers to sample products from local vendors, Cheese+Provisions provides a more interactive way for customers to learn about Denver's cheese-making community. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 46% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Interactive](https://www.trendhunter.com/interactive) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Interactive Sampling:** Cheese shops and other retailers can embrace interactive sampling to provide a more engaging customer experience. - **Artisanal Cheese:** The demand for artisanal cheeses is growing, creating opportunities for specialty cheese shops to offer unique and hand-crafted products. - **Subscription Services:** The popularity of subscription services, like the Cheese of the Month Club, opens up new possibilities for businesses to cater to customers' desire for curated experiences. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food Retail:** Food retailers can create differentiated experiences by offering interactive sampling and a curated selection of artisanal cheeses. - **Hospitality:** Hotels, restaurants, and bars can partner with cheese shops to offer curated cheese boards and alcohol pairings to enhance the dining experience. - **Subscription Services:** The subscription services industry can explore partnerships with cheese shops to create unique and specialized offerings for subscribers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cheese-Focused Conveyor Belt Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pick-cheese1.md) - [Hybrid Cheese Factory Retailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kamiku.md) - [Curated Cheese Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheese-enthusiasts.md) - [Educational Cheese Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parmigiano-reggiano-consortium.md) - [Branded Grocery Sample Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woodmans-bunny-james-sampler-box.md) - [Hilarious Fandom Cheese Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beechers-handmade-cheese.md) - [Cheese Subscription Clubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/murrays-cheese-club.md) - [Pizza Rental Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crustbuster.md) - [Immersive Charcuterie Showcases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aldi-charcuterie-chalet.md)