A MAJOR supermarket is trialling vending machines that give away free products.
Müller’s Frijj will be the first product available via this revolutionary in-store sampling system.
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Asda has launched its first ever automated free sampling machine at its Pilsworth branch in Bury, Greater Manchester.
This “first market innovation” is set to “revolutionise in-store sampling”.
Supported by Asda’s retail media LS Eleven Media Services, the agency helps brands attract customers with product trials, The Grocer reported.
Already in operation in some US supermarkets, Freeosk machine’s showed a whopping 50 per cent rise in sales.
Asda also hopes the return of its Rollback campaign will help drive sales over the coming months as chair Allan Leighton spearheads a turnaround.
An Asda spokesperson told Retail Gazette: “We are trialling a digital sampling machine at our Pilsworth store so that customers can try newly launched products from our branded partners simply by scanning their Asda Rewards ID.
The move comes as the grocer looks to revive its poor sales slump.
Its flagging fortunes have continued into 2025, with sales at the supermarket chain falling 5.2% in the 12 weeks to 26 January.
Kantar reported the grocer’s market share now sits at 12.6%, down 1% from the 13.6% it held last year.
It comes after a huge change to how shoppers buy National Lottery scratchcards was trialled by Asda “for first time in 30 years’”.
And Ashton-under-Lyne locals will be first to test the new high tech.
The change to an innovative scratchcard dispenser comes after National Lottery operator, Allwyn, partnered with Scientific Games.
A 40-inch customer-facing digital display will replace the current over-the-counter system.
The modern Sci-Q Scratchcard dispenser will even feature a touch screen terminal for use by store colleagues.
National Lottery Scratchcard games will be stored securely in an automated dispenser.
Customers looking to nab a card for themselves could enjoy the system which offers faster purchasing and ease of use.
The software is expected to provide special analysis on sales and daily reports on stock levels and performance.
Asda store colleagues will be prevented from selecting more than 10 National Lottery Scratchcards per transaction due to a pioneering limit.
Around 20 different types of scratchcards will be available for purchase.
Customers will be able to view the most up to date games available and then once they have made their choice a colleague will enable the selection.
The dispenser will then release the relevant product for customers to pocket.
Like the free sampling vending machine, this comes after the success of the scheme in the US.
It will be the first of its kind in Europe.