WDS in the News

Free food samples whet appetites
Sacramento Bee
September 06, 2005
Lois Gutierrez has handed out bite-size samples of virtually every kind of meat during her 11 years as a [WDS Demonstrator].  On a recent Saturday, for instance, she was cooking Ling Ling chicken potstickers…

For retailers and vendors, it’s a high-return investment. The Promotional Marketing Association found in a 2002 survey that being able to sample foods is the most influential factor when customers decide to buy a new product.  And 7 out of 10 shoppers said they would occasionally or usually buy a product they sampled.

“It’s a win on all sides: for consumers, retails and manufacturers,” says Meg Majors, a writer for the trade publication Progressive Grocer.  “A lot of people do choose to visit stores more frequently when they have an opportunity to try new things.”
“Demos have become a culture with Costco. They’re our biggest marketing tool for our seasonings and other products. WDS is the most well-orchestrated company I’ve ever dealt with. They’ve never let me down.”
Lisa Szybura
Owner, Sales and Marketing Director
Johnny’s Fine Foods