It is no surprise that testing products have become invaluable to businesses, especially retailers looking to generate more revenue and strengthen customer loyalty. After all, over thirty thousand consumer products are launched yearly; an alarming ninety-five percent end up failing. Unfortunately, because the process generally requires a considerable investment of financial resources and time upfront, some retailers skip it.
The reality is that skimping on product testing will only do more harm than good. This article will discuss what it’s about and why it’s so essential to retailers. Continue reading if you want to learn more.
Product testing – What is it?
Also called comparative or consumer testing, product testing refers to determining how specific products will do for the target market. By comparing certain metrics, such as purchase value and intent, organizations can better find which offerings will do well for their customers. So many retailers fail because they invest heavily in their respective products without first understanding whether or not they will sell. And product testing can help them overcome this challenge.
Advantages of product testing
Product testing can be advantageous in many ways, especially to retailers. Here are some of the benefits that it can yield for your business.
- Find out its feasibility. When it comes to developing new products, every business must have an idea of whether or not it’ll connect with the intended audience. Those who commit without understanding how well or poorly they’ll do run the risk of failing to achieve the desired returns for their investment, which can be financially catastrophic, depending on the scale.
- Maintain high-quality assurance standards. One of product testing’s primary purposes is ensuring that the products meet the required standards to be applied and distributed. Moreover, it ensures that they’re safe to use and meet customer expectations.
- Catch potential defects early. There aren’t many things that can damage the reputation of a brand or a company than defective products. As such, you must catch any potential issues with your offerings before they go to market. And with product testing, you can prevent faults and malfunctions resulting in consumer dissatisfaction.
- Understand competitors. Every product offered will have lingering competition. If you want yours to stand out from the rest, you must understand what makes your products different and how to set them apart. Through product testing, you’ll have insight on how better to develop and market your offerings so that they reach the expectations of your customers.
The need for insurance
Product testing is undoubtedly vital, but that isn’t to say you should forego insurance. On the contrary, you still need to find products liability coverage that is right for you to protect your finances, for example. With it, you’ll be able to get coverage from such issues like injuries and property damage that may result from the products sold. It’ll also give you the financial support you need for any legal matters that may arise as a result of the aforementioned issues. After all, retailers are generally held to be responsible for the products they offer, regardless of whether or not they had any involvement with the manufacturing or design process of the items. And the right coverage will ensure that the business is financially covered in case of a problem.
Conclusion
There are many factors that contribute to the success of a retail business. However, none are as integral as product testing. Beyond ensuring that quality standards are met, it also gives a better understanding of its feasibility to the intended market. For this reason, every retailer should implement an effective product testing process.
