Stater Bros. Markets, Swish Brand Experiences, and Mercatus Launch Innovative Sponsored Product Sampling Program 

Groundbreaking initiative provides new revenue streams for retailers, improve marketing capabilities for CPG brands, and enhance personalized brand experiences for shoppers

Houston, TX (September 9, 2024) — Stater Bros. Markets, in partnership with Swish Brand Experiences and Mercatus, a leading provider of digital engagement and eCommerce solutions for regional grocers, is pleased to announce the launch of an all-new digital Sponsored Product Sampling program.  

This groundbreaking retail initiative simplifies the long-standing challenges of traditional product sampling with a win-win-win solution for retailers, brand partners, and consumers alike.   

“Our prior attempts at product sampling for eCommerce customers were ineffective and created additional complexity for the order fulfillment teams in our stores,” says Denise Singler, Vice President of Integrated Marketing at Stater Bros. “Swish’s sampling platform gives our CPG partners an effective way to target the customers that are most valuable to them. Additionally, it’s a great opportunity for us to provide added value for staterbros.com shoppers while minimizing the impact on our store personnel.” 

According to Singler, “The surprise-and-delight experience of sampling inside the store is now possible online and made even better because it is uniquely personalized to each shopper. We’re excited to see how the Sponsored Product Sampling program drives repeat purchases both in-store and online.” 

The first CPG company to partner with Stater Bros. on the Sponsored Product Sampling program is premium dairy-free ice cream brand Klimon. 

“This initiative is a gamechanger for premium dairy free ice cream and novelty brands like us novelty brands like us,” says Alex Cotraviwat, CEO Klimon, Inc. “Swish’s programmatic approach transforms inventory into a powerful marketing vehicle, allowing us to inspire and win new customers in ways we’ve never seen before. It’s truly night and day from any sampling solution we’ve encountered—and we can’t wait to see the impact on our brand and the customers we reach.” 

Leveraging industry-leading technology from Swish Brand Experiences, seamlessly integrated into Stater Bros. Markets’ digital shopping platform powered by Mercatus, this solution enables retailers and brands to execute targeted, on-demand, and measurable product sampling campaigns.  

The result is increased revenue opportunities for retailers, more effective, targeted marketing campaigns for CPG partners, and an enhanced digital experience for customers.   

“We’re thrilled to bring Sponsored Product Sampling to life in partnership with Stater Brothers and Mercatus,” says Adam Stave, Founder and CEO of Swish Brand Experiences. “Product sampling has long been riddled with challenges for both brands and retailers. Swish’s Sponsored Product Sampling platform reimagines this process, creating a new value exchange and enabling brands and retailers to collaborate in entirely new and innovative ways.”  

Swish’s Sponsored Product Sampling platform not only simplifies the traditional complexities of product sampling but also fosters a mutually beneficial connection between retailers and brand partners. By targeting shoppers based on their purchase history and offering samples in similar categories, the program significantly increases the likelihood of converting these samples into new sales. 

“The Mercatus team is tremendously proud to contribute to this innovative program,” says Sylvain Perrier, President and Global COO of Mercatus. “This collaboration between industry leaders exemplifies our commitment to providing grocery retailers with innovative solutions that not only generate new revenue streams but also create best-in-class digital shopping experiences that enhance customer retention.”  

The Sponsored Product Sampling program integrates seamlessly with current marketing strategies, providing retailers and brands with an innovative platform to enhance product visibility and foster consumer engagement. For more information on how to leverage this dynamic opportunity, brands can connect with Adam Stave at Swish Brand Experiences, and retailers can reach out to Emi Takeda at Mercatus. 

About Stater Bros.

Communities throughout Southern California look to Stater Bros. Markets for Fresh. Affordable. Community First. grocery shopping every day. Stater Bros. nurtures families and their communities at nearly 170 stores and through the helping hands of 18,000 caring employees. While the Stater Bros. meat counter is legendary for its quality and variety, every store department is designed to surprise and delight today’s shoppers. The company lives out its values through the charitable efforts of its non-profit, Stater Bros. Charities. Learn more at staterbros.com.

About Swish

Swish Brand Experiences revolutionizes product sampling with a data-driven platform for retailers and brands. Our mission is to provide a seamless collaboration that delivers inspiring brand experiences to grocery customers. We integrate full-size samples into online grocery orders, offering precise and targeted consumer outreach. Using real-time analytics and programmatic technology, Swish enhances retail media and maximizes customer engagement, providing a streamlined, efficient, and measurable way for brands to connect with their ideal customers. With Swish, product sampling becomes a strategic tool for growing brand awareness and consumer loyalty. 

About Mercatus

Mercatus drives digital transformation for retailers through an extensive suite of connected commerce and personalization solutions. We enhance shopper engagement, tailor experiences to individual preferences, and cultivate enduring loyalty across retail businesses of every size.   

Our mission is to enable retailers to captivate customers, boost sales, foster retention, and deepen loyalty in a digital world. With our cutting-edge solutions, retailers can streamline operations, enrich customer experiences, and realize substantial growth. Embark on the digital transformation journey and unleash the full potential of your retail business with Mercatus.  

Swish Brand Experiences: 

Adam Stave  
Founder and CEO 
Swish Brand Experiences 
[email protected] 

Media and Mercatus: 

Emi Takeda   
Director, Product Marketing  
Mercatus   
[email protected]