How to Choose the Right Products for an In-Store Demo

Brands often ask us what the best products are for in-store demonstrations, and how to choose the right things to put on a stand. Sometimes the answer is simple – if your campaign revolves around a certain flavour profile, scent or product, then those are the obvious choices. But if the main aim of your campaign is to raise brand awareness or to capitalise on a particular season for your brand, then it can be a bit trickier to choose.

What Needs to Be Explained?

Some products need more than a label to be convincing. If you know your product relies on a sensory experience  – taste, texture, scent, feel or a visible effect – then it should absolutely be a candidate for demo. A lot of shoppers might not take a chance on something new or unfamiliar without trying it first. It’s too much of a risk. They want to see, feel or taste it for themselves before they make a decision. This is especially true for products that look unusual, or have features that can’t be fully communicated through packaging or advertising.

What Creates an ‘Aha’ Moment

Seconds count with a demo. You need products that deliver that split-second moment of delight or surprise. Something that makes the shopper pause, react and remember. This could be a flavour that mixes unexpected ingredients in a satisfying way, or a cream that instantly transforms the texture of the skin. Something that delivers a little surprise, turning a passive sampling into a memorable experience.

There’s a very good reason for this. When people try something that genuinely surprises them in a positive way, they’re much more likely to talk about it, share it and buy it. The impact of these little ‘aha’ moments is particularly powerful in retail environments.

Make it Easy to Say Yes

When you’re choosing a product to demonstrate, simplicity is your best friend. A shopper should be able to easily understand what the product is, why it’s useful, and how they might use it in the space of a few seconds. If a product needs a lot of explanation or feels overly complicated, then it might be better for in-depth online content than a demo environment. Attention spans are awfully short!

Lead with Innovation, Anchor with Relevance

Products that are new or different with naturally attract attention, but a lot of the time innovation isn’t enough on its own. The product needs to make sense to the shopper and feel relevant to their current needs, or what they’re interested in at the time. A product demo is a great time to show off innovation, but to get the most out of it you also need to relate to customer problems. After all, innovation should feel accessible, not alienating.

For example, a wellness drink that supports immunity knowing some well-known ingredients with a few key new ones is much more likely to land with customers than something with completely unfamiliar ingredients. Or a beauty product that taps into the trend of skin barrier repair will resonate more because people already understand the value and benefit. While you’re planning, think about what conversations your customers are already having, and choose products that will let you join in with something new, but relevant. Of course, we know all of this isn’t easy to do yourself! That’s why our team of experts are on hand to help. When you choose to work with Fizz Experience, we’re not just helping you through the demo on the day. We’re your partner from the start. We can help you plan everything about your campaign from which products to choose to how to design your stand effectively. Our experts have decades of experience working with in-store demonstrations, and we’re ready to share all of that knowledge with you. Together, we can create a truly unforgettable in-store demo experience featuring the best product for the job. To find out more, just get in touch with the team today, and we would be happy to help.