Want to Win in Natural CPG? Stop Guessing. Start Sampling.

Putting your product in the right hands is still the fastest way to build trial, rack up repeat customers, and grow sales. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about who you reach — it’s how you set up the offer.

After analyzing 300+ campaigns this year, here’s what we’ve learned: two tactics keep rising to the top. Free product campaigns and discount campaigns (yep, BOGOs included). Both work — but which one you choose depends on your goals, price point, and category.

Free Product Campaigns = Velocity on Steroids

Want speed? Nothing beats free.

These campaigns move big volume, fast — averaging 4,000+ activations in about six weeks. That’s twice the velocity of discount campaigns in half the time.

Why they work: Zero cost barrier. People will try almost anything if it’s free.

When to use them:

  • Launching something new and need buzz yesterday
  • Jumping into a crowded category where breaking through is difficult
  • Supporting a key retail launch where you need fast sell-through

How to maximize results:

  • Pick hot categories (beauty, bev, personal care) — these tend to move the fastest
  • Add a bounce-back offer to turn triers into buyers (one haircare brand pulled a 48% redemption this way)
  • Time it with seasonal moments (hydration in summer, immunity in winter — you get the idea)

Discount Campaigns = The Marathon Workhorse

If free is a sprint, discounts are your slow-burn marathon. Lower cost per unit, steadier pace.

The playbook:

  • 50% Off = We saw ~2,280 activations in 72 days on average
  • BOGO = We saw ~2,980 activations in 79 days on average

Why they work: Shoppers put skin in the game. Brands avoid footing the full bill. Win-win.

When to use them:

  • You’ve got budget limits but still want volume
  • Your product already has some brand heat and can command co-pay
  • Evergreen SKUs that need a slow, steady push

How to maximize results:

  • Stack value (add a freebie, sweepstakes, or bundle)
  • Drive bigger baskets (pair with complementary SKUs)
  • Create urgency with limited-time messaging

BOGO = Double the Fun

BOGO deserves its own spotlight. Why? Perceived value is off the charts. Works best for multi-flavor, multi-variety, or high-consumption items (snacks, drinks, etc.).

Why they work: Shoppers see more value than a straight discount, especially when they can mix and match flavors or varieties. Plus, retail partners love them for driving bigger basket sizes.

When to use them:

  • Products with multiple flavors or varieties shoppers actually want to try
  • High-consumption items where buying two makes real sense
  • Retail promos where store partners need basket size bumps

How to maximize results:

  • Cross-promote within your family of products (buy the new SKU, get the hero free)
  • Highlight flavor variety in your creatives to push trials across your range
  • Set up secondary placement in-store so shoppers can snag both units easily

Complementary Campaigns = “Complete the Basket” Strategy

Run two offers at once for paired products (chips + dip, pasta + sauce). Shoppers redeem more, baskets get bigger, and your category gets a lift. One brand pulled 3,800 redemptions in a single transaction by doing this.

Why they work: Shoppers see the combo as higher value, and they can grab both products in one trip. You’re not just moving one SKU — you’re building a complete consumption moment.

When to use them:

  • You’ve got products that naturally pair together
  • You want bigger baskets without blowing up your budget
  • Retailer partners need category growth, not just single-product wins

How to maximize results:

  • Run both campaigns at the same time (timing is everything)
  • Make the pairing obvious in your creative — show them together
  • Target shoppers already in your distribution footprint

For Niche or Regional Players: Be Strategic

Not every brand needs nationwide reach. If you’re regional or niche, use offers to:

  • Support key retail accounts
  • Test new markets
  • Reach hyper-specific audiences

Dial in your approach based on:

  • Distribution footprint: Smaller store count? Target shoppers in your radius for higher efficiency
  • Specialized audience: Narrow use case? Precision targeting means you reach people who’ll actually buy
  • Premium positioning: Higher price point? Lead with value and quality messaging to attract your ideal customer
  • Right sizing expectations = smart strategy. A focused campaign that hits your core audience hard will outperform spray-and-pray volume every time.

The Bottom Line

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” in sampling. It’s about picking the right offer for the right moment.

  • Free = fast trial and buzz
  • Discount = cost-efficient and controlled
  • BOGO = value perception + multi-unit trial
  • Complementary = bigger baskets and retailer love

When you match offer type to business goals, sampling stops being a promo tactic and starts being a growth engine.

And hey — at the end of the day, whether it’s free, half-off, or “two-for-one,” the real magic is simple: get your product into people’s hands. Because no one falls in love with a brand from a spreadsheet.

 

👉 That’s the kind of CPG math I can get behind: trial + trust = repeat.

Turn sampling into your growth engine. Chat with a CPG strategist to get started.

Warren Jansons

VP of Revenue


Warren Jansons brings over a decade of online advertising and sales leadership expertise to the CPG industry. He previously drove 500% sales growth as VP of Sales at Netshelter Inc., earning recognition as one of Avenue magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40 Alberta Entrepreneurs.” His career spans leading sales teams across North America and the UK, working with major brands including Sony, Dell, British Airways, and BBC. Warren has been nominated for the Alberta Premiers Award in Business and the Alberta Chamber of Commerce Marketing Award of Achievement.

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