Weatherchem is committed to researching the needs of consumers from the various markets it serves. Consumer testing is done through focus group studies that are moderated by an independent research company called LeapFrog Associates. The majority of our consumer groups contain 10 people that come from a variety of age groups, races, families, and employment backgrounds. Each group also maintains the typical purchasing habits of consumers today by maintaining a 1 to 5 ratio of males to females.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences between a national brand vitamin product with a NutraFlapper cap and a private label brand vitamin product with a continuous thread cap. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, dispensing preference, ease of opening and closing, brand satisfaction, brand trial, and dollar value.
Summary of Results
NutraFlapper® Shelf Impact
Consumers thought the appearance of the NutraFlapper reflected premium product quality and they especially liked the thumb-friendly design.
Ease of Opening & Closing (Continuous Thread vs. NutraFlapper)
All consumers tested found the NutraFlapper cap to be easier to open and close on vitamin containers for the following reasons:
No need to unscrew the cap making the process a one-hand operation
Audible snap of the NutraFlapper closure provides assurance that the package has been securely closed.
NutraFlapper Perception of Value
The most common value panelists were willing to pay in order to have the convenient dispensing of a NutraFlapper cap was $.25.
Baby boomers were willing to pay significantly more money to have the convenience of a Flapper cap.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences comparing four different packages of dietary supplement powders. A Flapper cap was displayed on two sizes of a national brand supplement and a continuous thread cap was displayed on two sizes of a private label supplement. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, dispensing preference, ease of opening and closing, brand satisfaction, brand trial, and dollar value.
Flapper® Shelf Impact
The majority of consumers associated the Flapper cap with premium quality for the following reasons:
Brand Trial
Given the preference for Flapper closures on dietary supplements, consumers were then asked if they would try another brand if it offered a Flapper cap:
Majority would actually try a new brand of equal quality if the packaging contained a Flapper cap.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences comparing the packaging for two major antacid tablet brands. A NutraFlapper cap was displayed on the Rolaids brand and an alternative dispensing cap was placed on the TUMS brand. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, closure preference, ease of opening and closing, and ideal package.
First Moment of Truth
At the store shelf, consumers are attracted to the TUMS packaging for the aesthetic appearance of the bottle, the shape of the bottle, and the ease with which they can see the product inside the bottle.
Second Moment of Truth with TUMS
Once consumers tried the TUMS package, 5 of the 10 panelists broke the TUMS cap in one of the following ways:
Closure hinge breaking off
Closure detaching from bottle
Second Moment of Truth with Rolaids
Once consumers tried the Rolaids package, all were delighted with the experience for the following reasons:
One-hand dispensing action
Ease of opening closure and liner
The Truth
After opening both the TUMS and Rolaids packages, all panelists preferred the Rolaids package for the following reasons:
Convenient Lift n’ Peel Seal vs. TUMS foil liner
Easy-to-Open NutraFlapper Closure
Security & Reliability of Rolaids Cap
Ideally consumers would like the total antacid package to include the following:
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences of packaging between a continuous thread cap and a Flapper® cap on three different sizes of spice containers. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, dispensing preference, ease of opening and closing, brand satisfaction, and dollar value.
Flapper® Shelf Impact
The majority of panelists associated the Flapper® cap with a higher quality relative to the continuous thread cap for the following reasons:
Flapper Perception of Value
The most common value panelists were willing to pay for the convenience of a Flapper cap was $.50.
Baby boomers were willing to pay significantly more money to have the convenience of a Flapper cap.
Clip 1: Spices & Seasonings – Value of Dispensing (1)
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences of packaging between a continuous thread cap and a Flapper® cap on medium and large sized spice containers used in food institutions. Chefs and kitchen managers were asked a series of questions regarding the most important features of packaging, the best package for their restaurant operation, and their preferences for controlled dispensing. This group is unique from our other focus studies in that it surveyed participants with food preparation backgrounds in educational institutions, chain restaurants, specialty restaurants, and hotels.
Importance of Convenient Packaging
Chef’s claim that the major advantage of convenient packaging is that it saves time!
Need to dispense from the package multiple times
Look for simple measuring techniques
Want ease of use for use as an ingredient or for dumping into other containers
Best Packaging for Restaurant Operation
Majority of chef’s felt the Flapper cap looked like the most convenient package due to:
Convenient Flip n’ Go Cap
Dispensing Options of shake, pour, or measure
Chef Packaging Preferences
The majority of chef’s prefer controlled dispensing on medium and large volume spices for the following reasons:
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences of packaging between a continuous thread cap, a snap cap and a Flapper® cap on three different brands of fish food. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, closure preference, brand satisfaction, and dollar value.
Shelf Impact
All panelists felt the Flapper cap looked like a higher quality cap relative to the continuous thread and snap caps for the following reasons:
Closure Preference (Continuous Thread vs. Snap Cap vs. Flapper)
All panelists preferred the Flapper cap over the continuous thread and snap cap due to:
Ease of use & controlled dispensing
Child-Friendly
Reduction in waste from reduced spilling
No contact between food and fingers
Cap is not misplaced
Clip 1: Fish Food – Preference (product comparison)
Brand Trial
All things being equal, every consumer tested would try another brand if it had a Flapper cap in order to have the convenience of flip-top dispensing and for the cost savings from waste reduction
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences of packaging between a continuous thread cap and LiquiFlapper® cap on salad dressing. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, closure preference, and dollar value.
Shelf Impact
The majority of panelists tested associated the LiquiFlapper with a higher quality relative to the continuous thread cap for the following reasons:
Closure Preference (Continuous Thread vs. LiquiFlapper)
The majority of panelists preferred the LiquiFlapper over the continuous thread cap for salad dressing due to:
LiquiFlapper Perception of Value
Consumers were willing to pay up to $.50 to have the convenience of a LiquiFlapper cap on their salad dressing, because they felt the cap was child friendly, more economical, premium quality, and controlled portions.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences between a national brand vitamin product with a NutraFlapper cap and a private label brand vitamin product with a continuous thread cap. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, dispensing preference, ease of opening and closing, brand satisfaction, brand trial, and dollar value.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences comparing four different packages of dietary supplement powders. A Flapper cap was displayed on two sizes of a national brand supplement and a continuous thread cap was displayed on two sizes of a private label supplement. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, dispensing preference, ease of opening and closing, brand satisfaction, brand trial, and dollar value.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences comparing the packaging for two major antacid tablet brands. A NutraFlapper cap was displayed on the Rolaids brand and an alternative dispensing cap was placed on the TUMS brand. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, closure preference, ease of opening and closing, and ideal package.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences of packaging between a continuous thread cap and a Flapper® cap on three different sizes of spice containers. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, dispensing preference, ease of opening and closing, brand satisfaction, and dollar value.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences of packaging between a continuous thread cap and a Flapper® cap on medium and large sized spice containers used in food institutions. Chefs and kitchen managers were asked a series of questions regarding the most important features of packaging, the best package for their restaurant operation, and their preferences for controlled dispensing. This group is unique from our other focus studies in that it surveyed participants with food preparation backgrounds in educational institutions, chain restaurants, specialty restaurants, and hotels.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences of packaging between a continuous thread cap, a snap cap and a Flapper® cap on three different brands of fish food. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, closure preference, brand satisfaction, and dollar value.
Weatherchem used an independent research firm to test consumer preferences of packaging between a continuous thread cap and LiquiFlapper® cap on salad dressing. Consumers were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of the packaging, closure preference, and dollar value.
