Sampling Staff – Mrs Bridges

Overview of Mrs Bridges

When it comes to high quality conserves, Mrs Bridges have been supplying happy customers since 1938. The range has developed into over 60 products with seasonal specials.

Although a lot changed since they launched their business, core details have remained the same keeping the product authentic to tradition. They are one of the very few large-scale producers that still use copper pans. You wont even find any modern-day robots to help in production!

The copper pans are steam heated and use a rolling boil method. They only use the finest ingredients and when it comes to making jam, they slowly boil the fruit and sugar, in the copper pan, allowing the flavours to be released before gradually setting. The copper pans are made locally in in the Dundee area – one of the core values that remains is supporting local craftsmanship where they can.

Working with and sampling a quality brand

Our partnership began back in 2015 and has grown ever since. The mission was to enter and expand in new stores. These included artisan suppliers, garden centres and department stores.

Because of the genuine quality of Mrs Bridges products, simply sampling the product to the public resulted in a massive uptake in purchases. After a year of trialling a variation of promotions, we landed on the conclusion that targeting festive events such as Christmas, Easter & Valentines day by selling hampers had the best sales results. Not only did it lead the immediate sale, but it also led to an ongoing spike with gift receipts coming back to buy individual jars on the following months.

When our sampling staff arrived each day they had to set up a table in a prime location, set up all the jams and chutneys and associated products to offer samples to shoppers.  Then at the end of each day fill out a report recording interactions, sales and feedback.

To a degree, the product really does sell itself, but to maximise this we supply sampling staff with experience. The attributes for an excellent sampling staff member are being well presented, knowledgeable about the products and history of the company, hygienic & inviting.

Our partnership has thrived because we can offer local sampling staff throughout the UK. So, they can explain the brief once, then we can take care of the campaign.

The Sampling Results – Sales Increased

As part of our service, after each event our team member reports back how the day went. This includes keeping notes of customer feedback, what sales were achieved, the positioning of the stand & images on the day.

Because we can trace increase in sales from previous days, we can really see the immediate impact with anywhere from a 50% uptake in sales for an existing store to 300% for existing locations.