Author: WSS

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Sensory taste tests are a vital part of developing and evaluating food and drink products. They deliver a wide range of insights influencing product decisions, from flavour and taste profiles to texture and appearance.

But what are some actionable insights you might discern from such a test? Let’s look at five key takeaways that could inform your product development and marketing decisions.

1. Gauge Consumer Acceptance

One of the first takeaways from a sensory taste test is an indication of consumer acceptance – especially if you’ve carried out the project with lay taste testers (members of the general public) rather than trained experts.

Their subjective thoughts on your product’s taste, texture, and aroma can be invaluable in helping you understand how consumers might perceive your products in the future.

By catching any potentially negative perceptions early, you may be able to avoid costly redevelopment processes while the product is already sitting on shelves missing sales targets.

2. Analyse Competitors’ Offerings

An in-depth understanding of your competitors’ offerings is one of the most critical insights delivered via a sensory taste test. When tested side-by-side, you can gain vital insight into how your product compares to competitors’ products in terms of taste and other sensory factors.

You might suddenly discover that your meat pie doesn’t possess as much “beefiness” as your main competitor’s offering – or that your product has a much richer and more decadent mouthfeel than your competitor’s.

These insights can help you refine your recipes to better serve your customers’ tastes and differentiate your products from competitors.

3. Identify Product Strengths and Weaknesses

Another important takeaway from a sensory taste testing project is the identification and analysis of product strengths and weaknesses. You might find that your target demographic loves a particular element of your product – such as its rich, indulgent texture – but finds another element less appealing, such as its strong aftertaste.

Without putting your product through these tests, these weaknesses might not have been picked up until the later stages of product development or in customer focus groups. At that point, it would be far more expensive to fix any issues.

4. Leverage Your Competitors’ Products to Create a Gold-Standard Product

Sensory taste tests have the ability to remove the secrecy behind your competitors’ product’s success. By objectively evaluating your product alongside a selection of the current market leaders, you can identify those factors that differentiate them from the competition, as well as those features that you could incorporate into your own products to create a market-leading offering.

This process, known as product benchmarking or product optimisation, allows you to take the best bits from your competitors’ products and combine them with your own expertise to create a product or service that is genuinely unique – rather than simply “me too” – in the eyes of the consumer.

5. Better Focus Your Marketing Strategy

Lastly, another excellent takeaway from a sensory taste test is identifying a product’s key selling points. There’s no point trying to market your fizzy drink as the “fizziest” on the market if there are others on the market that are considerably stronger on the fizz front.

By uncovering what it is that makes your product unique, you can focus your marketing efforts more effectively and ensure that your brand stands out from the crowd for the right reasons.

Sensory Taste Tests Offer Various Benefits

As you can see, there are many reasons why your company should consider undertaking a sensory taste test as part of the product development process. The various ways in which you can use the data and insights delivered by WSS can vastly improve your company’s ability to create and sell products that truly resonate with consumers – and ultimately improve your bottom line.

To speak to a member of our team about conducting a sensory taste test for your brand, please get in touch today on +44(0)151 346 2999 or email us at info@wssintl.com.

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All market-leading products depend on consumer research to achieve success. Without consumer feedback, companies can’t make informed decisions about their products either before launch or after they’ve been on the market for a while.

Whatever stage of the product life cycle you are at, we can help you with high-quality and easily actioned consumer insights. With over 25 years of UK market expertise, our team offers expert industry knowledge and outstanding research and data analysis skills.

What Are the Benefits of Conducting Consumer Research?

There are several benefits that you can gain from conducting market research, including:

• An increased understanding of your target market: The more information you have about your target market, the easier it will be to develop an effective product.
• Competitors’ strengths and weaknesses: By identifying your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, you will be able to create a product that is better adapted to consumer needs and exploit any weaknesses current market leaders might have.
• Improved product positioning and promotion: By better understanding what customers are looking for in your product, you can more easily identify effective marketing and promotional strategies, enabling you to maximise your sales.
• Reduced product development costs: By researching the wants and needs of your target audience, you will better understand the kind of features your new product will need to meet these needs. This will make it easier for you to make the right investment choices when developing your product, saving you time and money.

In short, when you invest in consumer research services, you will be able to achieve your business objectives faster and more effectively. You may even be able to spot gaps in the market and create products that meet the demands of your customers more effectively than your competitors.

What Consumer Research Methods Does WSS Offer?

We offer a broad spectrum of consumer research services, including but not limited to the following:

• Taste Testing
• Product Acceptance
• Online Consumer Research
• Focus Group Studies
• Home Use Testing
• Children’s Testing
• Packaging Research
• And much more

The option you decide to pursue will depend on your specific product and company needs. Our team is always on hand to advise on the most effective method for your particular circumstances. Of course, we can conduct multiple types of research on the same project if your product requires it.

Why Choose Wirral Sensory Services for Your Consumer Research Needs?

At WSS, we’re proud of our decades-long track record in providing excellent market research services to a wide range of businesses across the UK. We have worked with leading names in various industry sectors, including food and drink, health and beauty, and household cleaning products.

Whatever sector you operate in and whatever stage of your business lifecycle, we can help you with comprehensive and insightful consumer research that will help you achieve your objectives.

So if you would like to speak to a member of our team regarding your requirements or want to find out more about our full range of services, simply contact us today by calling +44 (0)151 346 2999 or by sending us an email to info@wssintl.com.

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When developing a market-leading food or beverage product, you must gather all the data you can to ensure success. While you might well spend time on packaging research and get focus groups together to help refine your product, you should also pay attention to flavour and texture.

Without objectively measuring your finished product, you’ll never be sure you’re developing a product that will hit the mark with consumers. Since taste is such a huge part of product acceptance, it’s only right that you’ll want to conduct a sensory taste test (or several) to truly understand how your new product tastes in the eyes of your consumers and how it compares against your competitors’ offerings.

What is a Sensory Taste Test?

A sensory taste test is, as it sounds, a test to determine the sensory properties of your product. You might measure how it tastes, how it feels in the mouth, how it smells, and how the texture performs so that you can understand where it’s going right or wrong and what you can do to improve it.

You can choose to test your products based on specific parameters, or you can decide to base it entirely on consumer preference.

What’s Involved in the Sensory Taste Testing Process?

Generally speaking, sensory taste tests are carried out by trained assessors who will be guided by a research company such as Wirral Sensory Services regarding which elements to assess. Whether it be odour, texture, flavour, or any other factor that feeds into the taste of a product, the assessor will be instructed to objectively record their observations.

It’s common to subsequently rerun these tests with leading competitor brands, so you have an objective comparison to make and can look for areas of deficiency or strengths in your product development.

Taste testing can also be carried out by members of the public from your target demographic to receive more subjective feedback in neutral settings. Their insights can point to opportunities or problems you might not have considered in your initial tests.

How Can You Use the Results of Your Sensory Taste Tests?

When working with Wirral Sensory Services, you will have your results broken down into jargon-free language that you can easily interpret and understand. With your actionable insights, you can then choose to either develop the product further or make the necessary adjustments to ensure it meets the market’s expectations.

Sensory taste tests often form part of the product benchmarking or product optimisation process, whereby a new product is developed and tested throughout its development cycle against its key competitors to ensure that the final product has a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Why Choose Wirral Sensory Services for Your Sensory Taste Test Requirements?

Since 1997, we’ve been trusted by leading British and international brands to handle their sensory research needs. We have one of the largest and most experienced pools of trained sensory panellists in the UK for conducting qualitative and quantitative market and product research projects.

Whether you need the objectivity of high-acuity testers or the lay perspective of the general public to understand your market better, we can help you identify opportunities for improvement using a range of techniques tailored to your product and your budget.

To speak to us today regarding your next sensory taste test project, please contact us on +44 (0)151 346 2999 or fill out the online contact form on our website.

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Sensory services are key in the development of successful products, particularly in the food and beverage industry. By investigating, measuring, and reporting how consumers interact with products, we can help you to design and improve products to better meet consumer needs.

At Wirral Sensory Services, we offer a range of services to support product development, from taste testing to product acceptance. Our team of experts have a wealth of experience in the food and beverage industry and are passionate about helping businesses of all sizes to succeed.

What Sensory Services Does WSS Offer?

Our consumer research methodologies cover all the senses, from visual and texture analysis to aroma and taste testing. We also offer services such as product benchmarking, where we compare your product against market-leading competitors to objectively analyse areas for improvement.

Our sensory panels are made up of experts with above-average sensory acuity, and they can notice even the subtlest changes in flavours, texture, smell, and appearance. This, combined with our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, means that we can provide accurate and reliable results that you can use to take actionable steps to improve your product.

What Benefits Do Sensory Services Offer Brands?

There are many benefits to incorporating sensory services into your product development. Firstly, by subjecting your products to sensory scrutiny, you can learn how and where your product differs from the competition. Knowing what areas need improvement will help you to focus your development efforts more effectively.

Additionally, by understanding how consumers interact with and perceive your product (by submitting them to sensory consumer taste tests), you can develop products that better meet their needs and expectations. Ultimately, this will lead to happier customers and increased sales.

Lastly, you can receive objective, scientifically-obtained data regarding the sensory performance of your product in a language you can understand. With the insights gained from our sensory services, you can confidently make decisions about your product development.

Why Choose WSS for Sensory Services?

First and foremost, our track record speaks for itself. Our client list includes household-name international brands, such as Subway, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Butterkist, and Costa Coffee, to name but a few. The fact that we are trusted by some of the world’s leading brands is a testament to the quality of our services.

Secondly, our people are experts in their field. They can interpret data obtained from our sensory research and transform it into actionable insights that deliver tangible results for our clients. Our sensory panellists are also highly-trained and have a wealth of experience in the sensory profiling of food and beverage products.

Lastly, sensory services only represent a fraction of the research services we offer at Wirral Sensory Services. We also provide consumer research, packaging design consultancy, and much more. So, if you are looking for a holistic and comprehensive approach to product development, we are the company for you.

Contact WSS Today Regarding Our Sensory Services

If you would like to learn more about our sensory services or any of the other research services we offer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. One of our friendly and experienced team members will be more than happy to discuss your requirements with you in further detail.

Alternatively, you can browse our full range of consumer and sensory research services here. No matter where you are in your product development journey, we look forward to helping you to take your product to the next level soon.

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Research is a vital part of the product development process. From gauging product acceptance to evaluating flavour profiles versus leading competitors, research is an essential tool for any brand looking to succeed in the marketplace.

Wirral Sensory Services can offer your business a comprehensive suite of research services, from in home use tests to efficacy testing in our state-of-the-art facilities. We have a team of experienced and qualified researchers who will work with you to design and execute a study that meets your specific needs and objectives.

But why choose us specifically? What are some of the distinguishing benefits of working with Wirral Sensory Services?

1. Benefit from Our Extensive Experience and Expertise

Our team has been putting products from all kinds of consumer categories through their paces since 1997. Not only do our researchers have the experience and expertise to create and deliver impactful research projects, but they also have the perspective that can only come from working with such a wide range of products.

While we primarily focus on food and beverage products, we work with a range of brands in the FMCG and CPG verticals. This experience gives us a deep understanding of how to create successful research projects that deliver meaningful and actionable insights.

2. We Take a Holistic Approach to Consumer and Product Research

We believe research should be an integrated part of your product development process, not an afterthought. Our team will work with you from the outset to establish goals, whether marketing-oriented or focused on product development. We then design and execute a research plan to provide the insights you need to create a successful product.

With more than 15 categories of research services, we can create a multi-pronged approach to your project that will provide a well-rounded view of your product and its place in the market, delivering value to multiple stakeholders within your organisation.

3. We Relay Insights to You in a Manner You Can Understand

So many multinational brands favour us because we deliver insights from our data in a digestible format. We offer clear, concise reporting and commercially-focused recommendations that allow you to take meaningful and impactful actions based on our findings.

Our team will work with you to ensure that the final deliverables meet your specific needs and can be tailored to the level of detail required.

4. We Become an Extension of Your Team

One of our most significant differentiating factors is the level of service we provide to our clients. We view ourselves as an extension of your team and will go above and beyond to ensure you get the most out of your research project.

From pre-project planning to debriefs and follow-up calls after project delivery, we will be there for you every step of the way to ensure that your needs are being met and that you are getting the insights you need to advance your product development efforts.

5. We Offer Competitive Pricing Without Compromising on Quality

We provide a premium service at a competitive price, making us an attractive option for businesses of all sizes looking to get the most bang for their research buck. We understand that not all budgets are the same, and we will work with you to tailor a research solution that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

So whether you’re a startup looking to get your first insights into the market or a more established organisation looking to add to your research arsenal, we have a solution that will fit your needs.

Talk to WSS Today to Learn More About How We Can Help You

If you’re interested in learning more about how Wirral Sensory Services can help you with your product development or consumer research needs, we invite you to get in touch with us today.

Our team would be more than happy to discuss your specific needs and objectives and develop a tailor-made research solution to help you achieve your goals. Contact us today to learn more.

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Home use product testing offers brands developing products numerous advantages. From observing how a product performs within its intended environment to studying unscripted user behaviour, this type of testing provides brands with a wealth of feedback that can be used to improve product design and functionality.

But what feedback methods are available with home use product testing (sometimes referred to as in-home use testing)? Well, the good news is that there are several different ways to gather feedback from participants.

Here are four of the most popular methods:

1. Online Questionnaires

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to gather feedback and intelligence from a home use product test is via online questionnaires. These online forms allow participants to provide feedback on their experience in their own words, and brands can use this feedback to improve their products.

There are plenty of options within these questionnaires, from survey-style multiple-choice questions to open-ended questions that encourage participants to provide detailed feedback. This feedback method is an excellent option for brands on a tight budget or those looking to test a product on specific criteria.

2. One-on-One Interviews

Another option for researchers is conducting one-on-one interviews with the product testers. This format can be arranged either in-person or online via video call, allowing for a more in-depth conversation about the product experience.

The obvious advantage of interviews is that you gain more detailed, qualitative feedback from the participants. One-on-one interviews are excellent for uncovering user needs and understanding how a product is being used in the real world.

3. In-Home Observations

In-home observation involves researchers visiting participants’ homes and physically watching them using the products. This type of feedback is incredibly valuable as it allows brands to see first-hand how their products are being used and identify any potential issues.

This technique has saved some of the world’s biggest brands from failure, including Febreze. It’s often complemented with an in-person interview since researchers can ask questions in real time as they observe the product being used.

4. Telephone Surveys

Lastly, another popular option is telephone surveys. They work much in the same way as online questionnaires, except testers are able to provide more detail in their answers, and researchers can ask probing questions to elicit more information.

This feedback method is beneficial for getting insights from hard-to-reach demographics who might not be able to deliver online responses. It also removes some of the potential bias issues that come with trying to give honest feedback to someone in person.

Contact WSS to Discuss Your In-Home Product Testing Needs

Home use product testing delivers various benefits to brands, but the feedback-gathering process can be daunting. If you’re unsure which method is suitable for your needs, get in touch with the team at Wirral Sensory Services.

We have over 25 years of experience conducting in-home product testing for various brands and products. We can tailor both the testing and feedback methodology to your specific needs to deliver the insights you require.

So, if you want to find out more about our in-home product testing services or discuss your requirements in more detail with a member of our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

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If you’re a startup or established brand looking to secure increased market share, you need to understand your target audience’s preferences. At Wirral Sensory Services, our range of sensory research services help you do just that.

Our team of experts has years of experience conducting research for brands, covering everything from product formulation and packaging to flavour and texture profiles. We use the latest scientific techniques and best practices to provide you with high-quality, reliable data that you can use to make informed decisions about your product development.

With our all-in-one sensory research service, you can test and evaluate your products with confidence, ensuring that your products are appealing to your target demographic.

But what can your brand expect from our sensory research services?

A Comprehensive Understanding of Your Target Audience’s Preferences

Through a range of product testing services, including taste tasting, sensory profiling, and product benchmarking, we will help you to understand your target audience’s preferences. This data can inform your product development and help you decide what flavours, scents, and textures will be most appealing to your customers.

By understanding the key sensory drivers that influence your target audience’s purchasing decisions, you can tailor your products to meet their needs and wants, and ultimately increase market share.

Improved Product Development Decisions

Tweaking production and reformulating products is an expensive undertaking, so the fewer times it needs to be done, the better. Our sensory research services can help you to avoid costly mistakes by rigorously testing products before they go to market.

By investing in a comprehensive sensory research service just once, you can save money in the long run by making informed decisions about your product development. This will result in fewer production errors and a dramatic reduction in time invested and company resources.

A Better Understanding of Your Competitors

To stay ahead of the competition, you need to understand what they’re doing and how they’re able to appeal to your target audience. Our sensory research services can help you to do just that.

You can get an in-depth understanding of your competitor’s products through various analytical methods, including sensory profiling and specific taste testing methodologies. The results of our analyses can then be used to inform your product development, helping you to create products that are even more appealing to your target audience.

Increased Market Share and Sales

Ultimately, our sensory research service can help increase market share and sales. With the insights and data gathered from our research, you can develop more appealing products and improve your chances of market success.

In that regard, sensory research more than pays for itself, and it’s an essential tool for any brand looking to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.

Contact Wirral Sensory Services Today to Discuss Your Sensory Research Needs

If you’re ready to take your product development to the next level and gain a competitive edge in the market, contact us today to learn more about our sensory research services. We are available by phone on +44 (0)151 346 2999, or you can send an email enquiry to info@wssintl.com.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Home use product testing is a cornerstone consumer research methodology for many industries. Home use product tests are a type of consumer research in which products are sent to consumers’ homes for them to test in their everyday environment. This allows manufacturers to get feedback on how their products perform in the real world, as opposed to a controlled laboratory setting.

Many different types of products can be tested using a home use product testing service. So, with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular product types evaluated using this methodology.

1. Beauty and Personal Care Products

It will come as no surprise that beauty and personal care products are often put through a home use product testing service. While many (if not all) of these types of products (such as deodorants and makeup) will have undergone scientific testing and even clinical trials in a laboratory setting, manufacturers need to understand how their products perform when used in the real world.

This is especially important for products applied to the skin, as everyone’s skin is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. A home use product testing service allows manufacturers to get feedback from a wide range of consumers with different skin types about how their products perform in their intended settings.

2. Cleaning Products

Household cleaning products are another category of products often put through a home use product testing service. This is because, although these products may be very effective in a laboratory setting, they need to be able to stand up to the rigours of everyday use.

Cleaning products are often used in a variety of different ways and on a variety of different surfaces. So, it’s essential for manufacturers to get feedback from consumers about how their products perform in the real world.

Furthermore, as was aptly demonstrated by the home use testing of Febreeze, manufacturers can use these studies to better understand the motivations and habits of their target consumers.

3. Food and Drink Products

Food and drink products are another category of items frequently put through a home use product testing service. This is because it’s important for manufacturers to understand how consumers use their products in domestic settings such as the kitchen, and to get feedback about any issues encountered when cooking or preparing food and drink.

In many cases, the results of home use product tests can be used to improve the packaging or formulation of products so that they are more convenient and easy to use. This can be particularly important for products targeted at busy families or working professionals who don’t have a lot of time to prepare meals from scratch.

Contact Wirral Sensory Services Today for Your Home Use Testing Requirements

As a leading consumer research company with over two decades of experience, WSS has a wealth of experience in conducting home use product tests for a wide range of clients. We have an extensive database of panellists who are experienced and familiar with a wide range of product types and evaluation methodologies.

So, if you’re looking to conduct a home use product test, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’ll be more than happy to discuss your specific requirements and provide you with a competitive quote for our home-based research services.

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When trying to prove the effectiveness of a product, using an efficacy testing service is an obvious choice. But who does this type of testing benefit the most? Is it more useful for brands to test their products before releasing them to the public, gathering data, assessing performance, and making changes based on the findings?

Or is it more useful for consumers, who can use these services to receive unbiased, third-party evidence regarding a specific claim made on product packaging? After all, with the proliferation of marketing and advertising, it can be challenging to determine what is true and what is simply a sales pitch.

Let’s take a look.

Efficacy Testing Services: Why Do Brands Need Them?

A brand that uses an efficacy testing service is looking for an evaluation of performance under specific and well-defined conditions. In other words, they want to know how effective their product is before releasing it to the general public.

For instance, a deodorant manufacturer may want to test how well their product works at masking body odour after a person has exercised. They would work with an efficacy testing service to create a study that would mimic real-world conditions as closely as possible.

These results could then be analysed and used to make changes to the product formulation, support marketing claims, or both. In this way, an efficacy testing service is used as a tool for quality control, helping to ensure that products meet customer expectations.

Efficacy Testing Services: How Do Consumers Benefit?

When a product makes a claim, it’s not always easy for consumers to know whether or not to believe it. This is where an efficacy testing service can be beneficial. By conducting a thorough and unbiased evaluation, these services can provide consumers with the information and confirmation they need to make an informed purchase decision.

For example, say you’re looking for a new skincare cream, and you come across one that claims to reduce wrinkles in just seven days. You might be sceptical, but if you find that an efficacy testing service has corroborated this claim, you’ll be more likely to give the product a try.

In a world littered with fake news and false advertising, efficacy testing services provide a much-needed service by offering consumers reliable and trustworthy information.

Who Needs Efficacy Testing Services Most?

Ultimately, it’s not easy to say who needs efficacy testing services more between brands or consumers. They both have a vested interest in product performance and could potentially benefit from the findings of a well-conducted study.

However, it’s fair to say that brands have more to gain from efficacy testing services, as they can use the results to improve their products, support marketing claims, and boost customer satisfaction. Consumers also benefit, but only if they’ve had the results of those research projects and studies effectively communicated to them.

Speak to Wirral Sensory Services Today to Discuss Your Efficacy Testing Needs

At WSS, we help leading brands develop and fine-tune their products to meet and exceed customer expectations. We understand the importance, now more than ever before, of testing and providing evidence to support specific product marketing claims.

So, if you’re looking for an efficacy testing service that can help your brand succeed, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with our team today to discuss your specific needs.

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Taste testing is a vital component of consumer research for food and beverage companies. It allows manufacturers to identify potential problems with their products, gauge consumer acceptance, and make necessary adjustments prior to widespread distribution.

As one of the UK’s leading taste testing companies, Wirral Sensory Services offer a comprehensive range of taste testing services to food and beverage companies of all sizes.

What Do Taste Tasting Companies Do?

Consumer research companies offering taste testing services construct and execute research products involving both members of the public and trained panellists. In short, they organise and run numerous tests, including taste tests.

Taste tests are often used in product development to help manufacturers make informed decisions about recipe changes and new product launches. They are also commonly used in marketing to help assess the potential success of new flavours.

A taste test usually involves ranking products based on attributes such as flavour, aroma, texture and appearance. The results of taste tests can be used to help shape or validate marketing plans and make decisions about product reformulation.

What Are the Benefits of Partnering with a Taste Testing Company?

There are numerous advantages to teaming up with a taste tasting company, including:

• Access to a team of experienced taste testers, both members of the public and experienced trained panellists.
• A comprehensive range of taste testing services, including central location tests.
• Customised taste tests to suit your specific needs.
• In-depth analysis of taste test results to help inform your decision-making.

Whether you’re looking to gather intelligence on the performance of your product’s taste versus the competition or wanting to assess the potential of a new flavour, taste testing is an essential tool.

You can also combine taste testing with sensory profiling to understand what makes the best products taste so good. This could help you to either improve your existing products or create new ones that are sure to be market leaders.

Lastly, positive blind taste test results are an excellent marketing tool. You can present your findings to retailers to demonstrate demand and encourage them to stock your products. You can also mention the results in your promotional materials to give potential customers the confidence to try your products.

Why Choose Wirral Sensory Services for Your Taste Testing Requirements?

At Wirral Sensory Services, we’ve been providing industry-leading taste testing services to leading international brands, startups, and everything in between for over 20 years. We offer a comprehensive range of taste testing services and can tailor our testing to meet your specific needs.

Whether you wish to commission taste testing research with members of the public in neutral locations such as shopping centres, or you need experienced taste testers with acute sensory skills to provide in-depth analysis, we can help.

We also offer a range of other consumer research services which can be combined with taste testing, such as packaging research, in-home use tests, and online surveys.

To find out more about our taste testing services and how we can help you, contact us today. We’ll be happy to discuss your requirements and provide a free, no-obligation quote.