Two trends-high demand for new products and an older population base-are creating a greater need for the services of product testing companies. Whether a marketer is rolling out a new hairspray, lipstick or oven cleaner, it creates a greater demand for safety and efficacy studies, and more suppliers say demand for their services has been on the upswing for years across a variety of categories, but especially in skin care, where consumer interest in all things anti-aging is surging.
"Business has been excellent this year. With the economy improving, we have seen the placement of more studies across all categories of the clinical testing spectrum," said Bryan Reynolds, marketing coordinator, Hill Top Research, Inc., Cincinnati, OH.
He noted that there has been greater demand for sensory work, especially in the area of skin care. At the same time, "we have seen a tremendous increase in demand for antiperspirant studies, anti-aging studies, consumer preference acne studies, hand wash claims and ethnic-related claims," said Mr. Reynolds.