WPT, Inc. - market testing, product testing, retail, evaluations, positioning, Staples, Best Buy, Compusa, Tech Data, Sports Authority

Nail Tek and Rite Aid have just completed a test to see how our products would perform for this chain. I am happy to report that we have met Rite Aid’s criteria; but must include some comments about the process.

From the very beginning, Tom has made this a pleasurable experience. He is both professional and yet allows for a human element that is rarely felt anymore in this financial climate. Aside from his not getting annoyed at my “badgering”, he brought a sense of understanding to the sales end which I will always appreciate and remember.

With much thanks,

Kathi Hahn

Retail Manager

Nail Tek

Mirage Cosmetics was very pleased with the SinfulColors Nail Polish Test. We were delighted when you indicated to us that our test was one of the most successful tests that you ran. We felt that we were treated fairly and appropriately, and I appreciated the prompt communication from you. Although it took some time for the category manager to find the right timing and location, we were finally added to the line up at Rite Aid. We feel that our test played a very important part in the process. We would certainly recommend your testing program to any other manufacturer.

Best Regards,
Stan Goldberg
National Sales Manager
Mirage Cosmetics, Inc

I want to thank you for managing the Rite Aid store test program for the Gimbal’s 14oz. Gourmet Jelly Beans during the Easter 2008 season. The program was handled very well from start to finish. The good news is that our product has now met the selection criteria for the Easter 2009 season in all Rite Aid stores.

The program was well executed and I appreciated the pictures of our product on the test store shelves. The test was conducted fairly in random stores unknown to us, the manufacturer. The sales data that you provided at the end of the test provided me with credible information to discuss with the Rite Aid Category Manager.

I will gladly use your test program with future items targeted for Rite Aid. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions. Again, thank you for a well run program to fairly give all manufacturers a chance to do business in Rite Aid.

Ron Craft, National Sales Manager, Gimbal’s Fine Candies

Hi Tom:

I wanted to drop you a short message and thank you and WPT for the professional way in which our test with Rite-Aid was performed earlier this year. Unlike many past experiences we've had with testing situations, WPT kept us informed of the sales progress, sent pictures showing many of the various sets, and in general removed much of the "mystery" that surronds most of these experiences. I wish you luck in your future endeavors, and again, I appreciate the way Thermionics Corp. was treated during the test.

Best Regards,

Neil Puhse, Chief Operating Officer, Thermionics Corp.

Mr. Spilewski,

I wanted to thank you for your help with the Rite Aid testing program.

Thanks to you and your company for picking the correct store location that would best fit our products for a successful test. It was a pleasure working with you and I would highly recommend your services to anyone looking to place there products in Rite Aid.

Best regards,

Jay Byrd, VP Sales, Nitro2Go, Inc.

WPT provides an excellent, turn-key service. Given the constant change at retail, it is difficult to test new shelving concepts. Robert Szewc and his team provide complete, timely support including matched store/market selection, resets, data, and analytics. Further, the fact that WPT is on-site at Albertsons, we also benefit knowing that we have full retailer support from design through execution.

Connie Dikkenberg
Pfizer, Inc.

"We found the value of testing with WPT extends well beyond simply testing with Rite Aid. The process provided us with extremely useful data relating to our product's performance in one of retailing's most competitive sales environments. The knowledge we gained about our product's performance against the strongest brands in the business, at this level of retailing, continues to be invaluable in both new product development and sales meetings with Rite Aid and other retailers. We are very happy with our WPT experience. Investment returned."

-- Nicholas Woodman

President, GoPro

I have had the occasion to work with George and the WPT folks on several occasions. In the tests that we've done at Staples and Radio Shack, we have found the WPT team easy to work with and to accurately explain the processes involved. One test we did at Staples was a success and resulted in a rollout of two software titles. Another test we've done was not successful, but the manufacturer learned quickly that there were a few aspects of the product that needed to be addressed in order for the product to be successful in retail.

Given the cost, both in terms of dollars and time, of getting a product on the retail shelf, being able to get a real market test, on the shelf, can be a very effective way of learning whether the product will be able to stand on it's own or if it needs to be tweaked. The costs in retail are too large to take chances on not having a retail-ready product. A WPT test gives you a real-life test for substantially less than it would cost to go through regular channels, roll out, and then learn that the product needs work.

Pete Simonetti
SMG Software Solutions, Inc.
petesmg@msn.com

The Mead Corporation ran three tests with Staples through their testing company, WPT. Of these tests two products sold successfully and one did not. Since we have seasonal and perishable products, the cost of rolling out a new product that does not sell well is very high. Our company liked the fact that this test gave us factual customer acceptance rather than focus group opinions. Since then we have used WPT's services on several other new products.

Jerry Foley
The Mead Corporation
Sidney, NY

I would like to thank WPT for your very competent and professional testing of our FIRST STATE QUARTERS OF THE UNITED STATES COLLECTORS MAP product in the Staples stores. Your testing program enabled us to demonstrate to our buyer that our product could sell well in the Staples environment.

Because the testing was so successful we had a quick rollout to Staples 860 stores in North America. You can be sure we will be testing other products in the future.

Sincerely Yours,
Angelo Bianco
TELEBRANDS

I just wanted to thank you for your effort regarding the Staples test this year. As you know, it has led to a "Back to School" program with Staples for our company. Your staff did a very professional job and the execution of the test program was excellent. Thanks again for your help in making this a successful test!

Barry Casper
Vice President Sales & Marketing
California Pak International, Inc.

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