Free box of new products for retailers boosted orders, says buying group

By David Harris in Industry News 5th December 2023

A free sample box of new products given to retailers by Sugro resulted in orders from three-quarters of those receiving the box, says the company.

The wholesale sample box scheme was introduced two years ago, but Sugro has extended the project much more since.

It is intended to give retailers the chance to familiarise themselves with new launches and help decide which to stock.

It is believed to be the first time such a scheme has been offered to convenience retailers.

Products on offer have included those from leading suppliers such as AG Barr, PepsiCo Walkers, Boost Drinks, Lindt & Sprungli, Mars Wrigley, Mondelez International and Britvic.

Derek O’Reilly, managing director of O’Reilly’s Wholesale, which partnered with Sugro in a trial, said: “This has been a great success. Our customers enjoyed receiving the sample box free of charge and thought it was a nice gesture from O’Reilly’s and Sugro.

“Seventy-five percent of the customers that have been offered the O’Reilly’s/Sugro box have given the representative an order for the products listed in the box.”