Free Samples Are Returning to Some Grocery Stores With New Rules | Eater

"As a demoing company, it has highlighted practical challenges of pandemic-era sampling: prepackaged ‘dry’ samples often require giving away full units or creating costly small-pack formats, and packaging expenses can exceed the product cost. The firm has had success with low-interaction alternatives like drive-thru sample distribution from branded tents and has retrained reps to be less assertive with anxious shoppers. It also notes that COVID has increased demo costs (outdoor tents, premium labor) even as brands try to maintain in-store presence." - Nick Mancall-Bitel