"After pausing in-store sampling early in the pandemic, the retailer announced a phased return of demos in late May, prompting other stores to consider reinstating trials; some locations now operate with outfitted carts and plastic barriers or offer prepackaged “dry” samples to reduce contact. The move both signaled possible industrywide changes in demo formats and raised questions about cost and profitability for companies running safer, low-contact sampling programs." - Nick Mancall-Bitel