In today’s competitive beauty business, staying ahead involves more than simply innovation; it also necessitates a thorough awareness of consumer tastes and expectations. Recognizing this, a reputable herbal cosmetic manufacturer collaborated with MarketGenics.co to conduct a rigorous product test on four of their most recent offerings: Kojic Serum, Peptide Serum, Deep Hydra Crème, and Facewash. What’s the goal? To guarantee that these products not only meet but exceed consumer expectations, and to identify any areas for improvement if needed.

The Objective: Consumer-Centric Product Development

The brand, which is known for its commitment to quality and innovation, wanted to assess these products based on physical characteristics, sensory experience, distinctiveness, and purchase intent. The findings would guide their go-to-market plan and determine whether any changes were required to perfect the formulations.

Methodology: Monadic Testing Home Placement

MarketGenics adopted a Monadic testing approach, allowing each product to be evaluated individually in a blind format. This method was key to ensuring unbiased feedback, as respondents had no preconceived notions influenced by branding or packaging. The products were delivered to the respondents for their feedback before using, while using and after using. 

Participants:

The product test included 250 females aged 18-45 years living in Tier 1 cities. This demographic was chosen to match the brand’s target market.

The Testing Process:

The testing process involved participants using the goods at home to simulate real-world usage. The testing was separated into three stages:

• Before Use: Initial impressions of the product (Packaging, Appearance, Overall opinion on looks, Modernity/design, Spontaneous likes and dislikes)
• While Using: The application experience, which includes texture, aroma, and simplicity of use.
• Post-Use: Last thoughts after using the product with a focus on its effectiveness (Skin reaction – dryness, normal, oily; Skin Irritation – redness; Post application feel –  greasy, sticky, heavy, lightweight) and overall appeal.

Data collection:

After using the product, a structured questionnaire was provided to the respondents post usage of product where in customers ranked each of the products on two scales

• Unidirectional scale: Participants rated each product on a Likert scale of 1-10, assessing specific attributes like fragrance, texture, and overall satisfaction.
• Bi-polar Scale: Just-About-Right (JAR) questions were included to provide nuanced insights into whether specific attributes were too much, too little, or just right.

Results: A Positive Outlook

The input from participants gave a wealth of actionable information. The average Unidirectional scores for all four goods were remarkably high, indicating great consumer approval. The JAR analysis reinforced these findings, showing that minor modifications were required in several qualities, such as lowering the smell level for one of the serums.

Overall, the findings were overwhelmingly positive, indicating that these items are ready for market use. No major dislikes observed among respondents across centers for any of the products.

Conclusion: A Step Forward for Consumer-Centric Innovation

The good outcome of this product test demonstrates the brand’s commitment to providing high-quality beauty items that appeal to consumers. By employing MarketGenics’ consumer research skills, the brand now has the knowledge that no major tweaks need to be done on any of the products. This collaboration not only emphasizes the value of consumer feedback in product creation, but it also establishes a new standard of excellence in the cosmetics business.