Sampler and GMDC Launch Retail Trendsetter Panel

Retail industry trade association the Global Market Development Center (GMDC) has partnered with product sampling specialist Sampler to launch the 'Retail Tomorrow Trendsetter Panel' - which aims to connect 'today's buyers with tomorrow's shoppers'.

GMDC has a membership of 600 retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and service/solution providers, representing more than 125,000 retail outlets and more than $500 billion in sales. 'Retail Tomorrow' aims to help executives to identify emerging technologies, share insights, and uncover practices focused on enhancing the shopper experience. Partner company Sampler offers a product sampling management and insights platform, which helps brands distribute product samples to targeted audiences, to gather consumer feedback and demographic insights.

The new Trendsetter panel will enable GMDC members to identify key trends and brands to submit products for review that fit within that trend. Sampler will then distribute trial-sized products to shoppers, along with a digital consumer feedback survey. Responses will be collected in real-time, compiled and published in a report summarizing the top trending products. Participating retailers can see which products are resonating with consumers, and will receive samples of trending products that would be a good match for their stores.

Sampler founder Marie Chevrier says the initiative provides a unique opportunity not only for retail buyers within the GMDC membership, but also for the emerging products and brands her firm works with. Patrick Spear, GMDC President & CEO, adds: 'The Retail Tomorrow Trendsetter Panel is a unique opportunity to give our retailers access to quick consumer feedback on products they're looking to list. With Sampler, our members will be able to give consumers the power to define what will be in the stores they visit'.

Web sites: www.gmdc.org and www.sampler.io .