Every so often we do focus groups – complete with two-way mirrors and video cameras – to determine what people think of our products and what we can do to improve them. Our last round of focus groups took place in Philadelphia and New York. In each location, we sat down with about 10 people and talked about Duetto and our All Natural flavor line-up.
For some companies, finding people willing to sacrifice three hours of their time to talk about a product can be difficult. But not for us. When it comes to sampling ice cream and chatting about it, there’s usually no shortage of willing volunteers.
Specifically, the goal of the focus groups was to learn more about our customers’ purchase and consumption habits, how aware people are of Duetto, what their general opinion of Duetto is and what they thought about the packaging.
Overall, the focus groups liked Duetto (most of them were familiar with the product before joining the focus group). They used words like “refreshing” and “soothing” to describe it and overwhelmingly agreed that it was better than a gelati at you-know-who’s seasonal ice cream stand. The fact that Duetto costs less and is available year-round helped win that battle.
That’s just a small sampling of what we learned. The rest will be put to good use by our research and development team to make Duetto better than it already is.
By the time we ended the session and went our separate ways, we sort of all forgot we were in a focus group. A few hours of eating ice cream will do that to you. It sort of brings you together in ways other focus groups can’t.
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If you’ve got a technical question about the ice cream making process or some other inquiry about the nuances of America’s favorite treat, chances are Ernie has the answer. He might not be able to answer all questions, but he’ll try his best and some may be featured on the Ice Cream Journal.
Sign me up to be a taster! I would love to help with the new flavors, because I love Turkey Hill.
How come I never get invited into a discussion group for tasting TH ice cream? I just get chased down at the malls, to do their stupid surveys and it’s never on ice cream!
A good idea would be to post ahead of time where the next focus group will be and if some of us live near it we can hope to be one of the panel. I am sure most of us would enjoy suffering the belly ache from eating all those great flavors. I would have you keep my husband out of it since he might finish off all of a flavor before the rest of the panel could taste it.
Yup, that’s one focus group in which I would happily partake!
P.S. If anyone has not tried the Baked Apple Dumpling Limited Edition flavor, may I *highly* suggest a tasting! I was slightly depressed when they ran out at the Weis on Lincoln Hwy in Bridgeport recently; but I was elated this morning to come across a fresh batch at the Turkey Hill Minit Mart on Rt. 30/Ronks Road. Get it while you can!!!
P.P.S. Buy 2, get one free at this location!!!
What a great idea! How can you beat an ice cream tasting! It is a good idea to post the next one and “tasters” near your dairy can enter their names; I’m sure hoping to “win”.
Any time you want to test in North Carolina I have a group ready and willing
That is why Turkey Hill products are so good. You listen to your customers.
I would love to be part of a taste testing group anytime you need volunteers. :0
I just finished off a carton of Snyder’s Chocolate Pretzel. I’ve never been in so much heaven in all of my life. I totally fell in love with this flavor!!!! It’s a limited, so get out there and try it before it disappears!!!! P.s. I’m still searching for German Chocolate Cake, anyone want to share?? LOL
-NJ
Response to Dani:Thanks for your imput. I’ll look for that flavor. Sounds absolutely perfect for this time of the year. Also a nice treat to pick-up for the seniors in my life that may not get out often.
I know this months poll is about Duetto, and although I like the thought of ices combined with soft ice cream when given the choice of Turkey Hill Ice Cream or Duetto I always opt for the Ice Cream. That’s still good news for Turkey Hill but not such good news for Duetto. Many of my suggestions are around a richer ice flavor (not a fruit) or just selling the soft ice cream portion of Duetto on it’s own.
Unfortunately the selection process for these focus groups is very complicated. Participants have to meet several specific criteria (age, gender, purchasing history). In one, we specifically sought the opinions of people who described themselves as fans of our competitor’s brands!
I am ready whenever you need me! Duetto has got to be the best ice and cream. It reminds me when I was a child I would love to eat creamsicles! All my money went on creamsicles.
Oh yes the choc pretzel is amazing!Crunchy an smooth an wonderful!! Yes I would share!!!I would so love to test out Duetto…. spoon ready!!!
If anyone knows where to get the Baked Apple Dumpling in south Jersey, Please feel free to share the info!! I can’t find it anywhere down here!
imagine this, the Participants have to meet several specific criteria (age, gender, purchasing history).
In one, we specifically sought the opinions of people who described themselves as fans of our competitor’s brands!
so because we are fans of Turkey Hill we missed out on this special opportunity.
Please let me know if you EVER come to Maryland for the focus groups. I would be the 1st in line = )
What a great chance to try out some more of Turkey Hill great products!!
I love the Duetto! the Lemon/Soft serve is my favorite, but the others are almost as good. Do not let this product go by the way side!
I just LOVE the Cherry Duetto, I have to admit, I am cheap when it comes to going “out” for ice cream, but after trying Turkey Hill Duetto, I knew I had to try the local gelato shop…..Now I know why I don’t go out for icecream…They can not compare to the flavor or texture of TH!!(not to mention price) I would rather get a half gallon of yours anytime, next time I want to go “out” for ice cream, I’ll go the grocery store, but a half gallon, and pick up a package of plastic spoons!!!!
Would love to test in NJ
Thank you for making the Cherry Duetto, I had a gelati at a ice cream shop and i loved it and then you folks came up with the cherry duetto wow i now can just go to the freezer after a long day out doing yard work and boy i tell you this stuff is amazing.