Sampling and Cross-marketing

Participated in a restaurant consulting evaluation with an establishment by the Navy Yard. Won't disclose some of my metrics as you ought to pay for that... but this article from the Bellissimo folks, "Sharing the Wealth: Using Cross Marketing to Build Community Profits" is a particularly good explanation of the importance of sampling and cross-marketing.

Starbucks does this very well. I didn't have my camera with me, but as I was coming back the store at 8th and D Streets SE was doing sampling on the patio...

Starbucks sampling.

There is a lot to learn from Starbucks about customer service, interior design and ambience, and building business. One of the best things an independent retailer can do is read the book Pour Your Heart Out by Howard Schultz, chairman of Starbucks.

Another good article from Bellissimo is Who is Your Customer?