I work at a company that helps plan and execute in-store marketing programs like product samplings.
The largest chain we execute samplings in is piloting a new service in which the store would be executing these types of sampling with their own staff. The rumour is that if the pilot goes well, they will not allow companies like mine to execute tastings in their stores anymore. This would put a big dent in our business.
One of our larger clients tipped us off that they are testing this service in a few stores next month. I know when, where and what products are being featured at these samplings. This gave me the idea to try and influence the results of the pilot.
I’m planning on sending in secret shoppers to buy the featured products at other stores where no sampling is taking place, and then immediately returning the product to the stores during the sampling to throw off their sales numbers and make the samplings look ineffective.
Is this a good idea? What would you do in this situation?