23/08/2011 | C. Martin
Shopping trips have always been a highlight of Dubai holidays, now they take on an added attraction with a concept store that lets customers take home stuff for free.
Sample Central takes the try-before-you-buy concept one step further by giving away products to select customers in return for reviews instead of payments.
The store chain - which has a presence in Europe, South America and Asia - is set to make its debut in Dubai with an outlet opening at the Festival City shopping centre in November.
Its marketing strategy of "tryvertising" is simple enough - shoppers can sign up to become "bronze" members of the store and can pick up to five items a day from a selection of about 70 or 100.
After trying out the products, these select customers will give their reviews, which will be used for promotion.
Bronze members can collect loyalty points and go on to become "silver" customers who will be allowed seven items for each visit.
Sample Central in Dubai will have up to 35,000 members from all demographics who will be charged Dh100 (£16) annually for a membership fee.
Store visits can be scheduled on the chain's website and the more regular members are, the more loyalty points they will earn.
Copyright Press Association 2011