Blog Archives - Page 2 of 13 - Wirral Sensory Services

Understanding Sensory Profiling: Answering the Key Questions

Whether you’re developing your first product or you’ve been in the industry for years, understanding how sensory profiling works can genuinely transform your approach to product development. Many of our clients come to us with questions about this methodology, and we love sharing what we’ve learned over nearly three decades in this field. So, let’s […]

Everything You Need to Know About Fragrance Testing

Whether you’re launching a new household cleaner or reformulating a personal care product, fragrance testing provides the scientific foundation needed to make informed decisions about scent selection and performance. Many brands still approach fragrance selection through guesswork and personal preference, which can lead to costly mistakes and disappointing market performance. Professional fragrance testing removes […]

Product Optimisation: Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

Product optimisation represents a critical process for food, beverage, and consumer goods brands looking to maintain or grow their market position. With only about one in five new products achieving successful launches in the UK market, understanding how to effectively optimise your products can significantly increase your chances of success. At Wirral Sensory Services, we […]

Product Concept Testing: Your Top Questions Answered

Product concept testing represents a critical step in your development process that can significantly reduce the risk of product failure. When implemented correctly, this research method provides valuable insights into how consumers might respond to your product before you commit substantial resources to full development. Many of our clients come to us with questions about […]

Central Location Tests: Gathering Precise Consumer Feedback in Controlled Settings

Launching a successful product hinges on understanding how consumers will truly perceive it. While methods like home use testing offer valuable real-world insights, sometimes you need a more controlled environment to gather precise, unbiased feedback, especially for sensory attributes or when direct observation is key. This is where Central Location Tests (CLTs), often referred to […]

Maximising Insight: Best Practices for Effective Consumer Testing

You understand that listening to your target audience through consumer testing is vital before launching or reformulating a product. It can illuminate preferences, uncover potential issues, and ultimately guide your product towards market success. However, simply conducting any test isn’t enough. The quality and reliability of the insights depend heavily on how the research is […]

The Power of the Panel: Why Trained Experts are Essential for Objective Sensory Profiling

Understanding how a product is perceived through the senses is crucial for success. In that regard, sensory profiling aims to provide an objective, detailed description of a product’s sensory characteristics. Unlike consumer testing, which measures liking and preference, sensory profiling dissects the ‘what’ – the specific attributes and intensities that make up a product’s sensory […]

The Financial Case for Sensory Research: Measuring Testing ROI

Many product development teams view sensory research as simply another expense on their balance sheet. This perspective often leads to minimising or even eliminating crucial testing phases to “save costs” during development without considering the long-term financial implications. The numbers tell a sobering story about product development success rates. According to Nielsen research, approximately 76% […]

Efficacy Testing in the Age of Social Media: Protecting Your Brand from Viral Backlash

Remember when product feedback was mostly limited to focus groups and customer service calls? Those days are long gone. Today, one disappointed customer with a smartphone can create a viral sensation that reaches millions of potential buyers in hours. In this social media landscape, the gap between what your product promises and what it delivers […]

Why Consumer Testing Timing Matters: Strategic Points for Maximum Impact

As a brand, you’ll already understand the importance of creating products that meet the needs and expectations of your target audience. Consumer testing is a well-known critical component of this process, allowing you to gather valuable feedback and insights that inform product development and marketing strategies. But have you given much thought to when you […]