The most frequently used methodology is the assessment of the new proposition against 2-3 competitors, amongst consumers of the product category. The primary aim is to make sure that any new proposition is at least as good as the current products and to identify any necessary fine tuning.
The most widely used methodology is a comparative assessment of the new formula against the current product, by real consumers of this product. The main aim here is to make sure that the new formula appeals more to the consumers than the current product… and doesn’t alienate anyone.
As a first step, the most widely used methodology here is the introduction of the new concept to consumers, in order to assess its attractiveness/appeal. A second stage would then be to evaluate its sensory performance (and possibly also test it in real-life conditions).
Here we submit one (or several) proposition(s) to consumer and then ask him/her to express a preference, with the aim of identifying the preferred option.
Here we display an array of products on-shelf and then ask the consumer to pick one (and to justify his/her choice), with the aim of assessing the in-store impact.
Here we ask the consumer to use the pack (eg: the opening) and to assess his/her experience, with the aim of improving the practicality and user-friendliness.