Testing is an important process to introduce a new product, piece of equipment or procedure to the system. Below details how Edible locations are selected to become a test store, categories of items tested, measurements of success, and conclusion of testing surveys.
On a yearly basis, the system is surveyed to accept applications for stores that want to volunteer to be designated a “test store” for the year.
A minimum of 5 stores are selected to take part in a test for each subject matter. Two weeks before the test, the selected test stores will receive an initiate explaining:
- What is to be tested
- The research behind WHY the brand is wanting to test the item
- The benefits of introducing the item
- Handling, storage and brief overview of testing procedure
Selected locations have 48hours to accept or decline to taking part in the test.
Testing Categories
Below are the test categories and how success is measured for each. Measurement of success includes 1-5 questions to be completed. For example, for a perishable item, questions under the subject of Operational Ease of Assembly may include: decorate the top of the given baked good, assemble a dessert board with the given product, assess the handling of the product at frozen and room temperature. Team members complete each task and rate the ease of execution from a range of 1 (being most difficult) to 5 (being least difficult).
Categories are rated to gauge a pass, fail, or changes needed to proceed.
New Perishable Item
- Product arrival after transit
- Product Storage
- Operational Ease of assembly
- Quality of product after 48 hours assembled (shelf life)
- Packaging/Delivery
Shelf Stable Items
- Product arrival after transit
- Storage & handling concerns
- Store Merchandising
- Shelf life
New Packaging
- Product arrival after transit
- Breakage concerns
- Storage & handling concerns
- Store Merchandising
- Production & Postproduction performance
- Delivery
New Process or Procedure
- Does this implementation improve ease of operations and efficiency?
- Are locations supplied with the right tools to execute?
New Equipment
- Choosing the right equipment that can be used as multitask & has good ROI
One week after test closure, results will be sent to the designated Category Manager. The results are then evaluated for next steps. Categories are rated to gauge a pass, fail, or changes needed to proceed. If changes are needed, another test may be implemented.
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