GameChanger
In-Store Testing

Real shoppers in real stores for in-market learning and validation

Bring your ideas to life where it counts—on the shelf, with real shoppers. Learn exactly what drives sales for new products, pricing, packaging, placements, and marketing with GameChanger In-Store Testing.

Get fast, actionable insights. Backed by real purchase behavior and projectable data, we provide the intelligence to make smarter decisions and accelerate your go-to-market strategy. Our dedicated field team and streamlined process ensure easy, turnkey execution from start to finish.

Ground your next big move in real purchase behavior.

Why Test In-Store?

Silhouette of person with arms raised standing at top of long staircase against an orange background.

Quantify business potential

by measuring actual real-world impact on sales performance.
Empty shopping cart in aisle of a grocery store with blurred shelves of products on both sides.

Test placements, pricing, packaging, and marketing

to understand the impact of each.
Group of diverse people, including an older woman with glasses under a magnifying glass effect.

Gain a holistic understanding of shopper behavior

with combined sales and qualitative data.

Make confident decisions

grounded in real-world performance enabling you to launch with greater certainty.

Unlock the Power of In-Store Testing

When it comes to understanding shopper behavior, nothing compares to the real world. It’s the ultimate way to understand what works, what doesn’t, and where to focus your efforts for the greatest impact.

While virtual tests are valuable for early exploration, in-store testing reveals true performance in the complex retail environment.

Understand real shopper behavior and competitive shelf dynamics to iterate faster and make smarter decisions.

What Can You Test?

Your Offering
Your Value
iPhone mockup
Your Location
Your Targeting

Your Offering

Does your product and packaging deliver a compelling and differentiated experience?
 
•Product design and features
•Quality and performance
•Packaging design
•Brand image

Your Value

What should your everyday pricing be?
‍
 •Price awareness
•Price perception
•Price elasticity
•Price value

Your Location

Where should your product be placed, or how should the shelf be organized?
 
•Shelf placement
•Secondary placement
•Planogram arrangement
•Channel sales

Your Targeting

How should you promote it? 

•Traditional media
•Digital
•In-Store promotions
•And more!

How It Works:

Learn more about the steps in our In-Store testing process
1. Retailer
Select a Retailer within our preferred partner network. 
Retailer in-store from shopper perspective

GameChanger will handle all retailer sell-in, setup, and execution.

2. Analytics
Create a custom category definition by UPC.
Person typing on a laptop

GC will conduct a custom store match to select the ideal Test and Control store groups.

3. Marketing
Select marketing tactics to test and evaluate. 
A shelf with products on sale

GC will create the marketing plan to optimize for statistical analysis and readable results.

4. Execution
Ship product to the test market and implement test shelving.
A retail worker packing products ontoshelves

GC will assign a dedicated field associate, cut in the product, DSD product, and manage the test.

5. Reporting
Receive reports and understand test performance. 
People discussing report results

GC will provide a weekly topline, a detailed interim report, and a final report with statistical modeling.

6. Insights
Receive insights to understand the "why" behind the results.
Inside a grocery store with shoppers and retail workers

 GC will conduct in-store and/or at-home research, if selected.

The GameChanger advantage:

  • Measure Sales Performance and Category Impact

  • Capture Real-world Shopping Experiences

  • Test Multiple Placements and Price Points

  • Evaluate Impact of Marketing Tactics

  • Utilize Retailer Network, No Client Sales Team Needed

  • Shoppers Vote with Their Dollars

  • Controlled Test with Dedicated Field Team

  • Shopper Insights to Understand the "Why" Behind Results

  • Leverage 17 Years of In-Store Testing Experience

  • Team Collaboration to Optimize Execution

A New Chapter in Shopper Insights

Puzzle with Google stylized G logo and photos of Russ Onish, Vista Grande CEO, and Larry Popelka, GameChanger co-founder.

Vista Grande + GameChanger: Powering Your Success

Exciting news! Vista Grande has acquired GameChanger, creating an even more powerful partnership to drive your success. This means you now have access to a complete spectrum of services, from understanding initial shopper insights to validating your strategies in real retail environments.

Get the "why" behind consumer choices and see your ideas thrive in the real world – all in one place.
US map with grocery store logos marked by red stars and three people in front, with Game Changer logo below.

The GameChanger Story: Real-World Expertise

Since 2007, GameChanger Products has been a leader in providing invaluable real-world in-store testing insights. With a strong network of 16 retailer partners, they've conducted hundreds of tests, building a wealth of knowledge for their clients about what truly works at the shelf.

GameChanger's valued clients:

The Future is Bright

Vista Grande is committed to investing in and growing GameChanger's core strengths.

We're delighted to welcome nearly the entire GameChanger team to Vista Grande, ensuring continuity and expertise. Larry Popelka, co-founder of GameChanger Products, will support this exciting transition as an executive consultant. "We're thrilled to join forces with Vista Grande," says Popelka. "Their resources will propel GameChanger to new heights, meeting the rapidly growing demand for in-store testing and transactional research on a larger scale."
Get In Touch To Learn More