How BloxSnacks went from product idea to retailer-ready in just 2 weeks

The better-for-you kids' snack market is booming, but breaking through the noise requires more than just a great product—it demands data that proves your worth to major retailers. BloxSnacks discovered this firsthand when they needed to transform their innovative FruitBlox concept into a compelling retail story.

Their secret weapon? A strategic partnership with Highlight that delivered game-changing consumer insights in record time.

The challenge: Standing out in a crowded market

BloxSnacks had something special on their hands. Their FruitBlox product offered parents a healthier alternative to traditional fruit snacks, complete with an innovative marketing strategy that leveraged YouTube influencer trading cards—a brilliant way to connect with their target demographic of kids aged 8 to 12.

But having a great product and creative marketing wasn't enough. The competitive landscape of better-for-you kids' snacks meant that BloxSnacks needed substantive product data to solidify their rightful position on retail shelves. They had existing relationships with multinational retailers to strengthen, plus new partnerships to pursue.

The challenge was clear: they needed consumer validation data that would open doors and accelerate their expansion into major retail channels.

The research solution: Fast-track consumer testing

BloxSnacks partnered with Highlight to execute a comprehensive consumer research strategy designed for speed and impact. The approach was methodical yet efficient:

The Study Design

• 120 parents of kids aged 8 to 12 recruited from Highlight's owned community
• 4-day sequential monadic study testing 3 flagship flavors
• Point-in-time surveys capturing purchase intent, sensory feedback, and reactions to YouTube marketing content
• Both parents and children participated to ensure comprehensive insights

The Timeline

The speed of execution was remarkable. Highlight's streamlined process delivered results with impressive efficiency:

• 1 day to complete recruitment with both children and parents
• 2 days from product shipment until live dashboards were available
• 2 weeks from product shipment to final Advanced Report delivery

This rapid turnaround meant BloxSnacks could move quickly on retailer conversations without losing momentum.

The results: Three game-changing outcomes

1. Quick(er) retailer data

The study produced data analysis around 10+ key metrics, packaged in impactful slides ready for immediate use in multinational retailer conversations. This wasn't just raw data—it was presentation-ready insights that could directly support sales discussions.

2. Compelling sell-in story

The claims testing data gave FruitBlox the validation they needed for a successful go-to-market strategy. The research provided concrete evidence anchored in real consumer reactions to both the product and packaging, transforming their pitch from promises to proven performance.

3. Packaging next steps

Perhaps most surprisingly, testers loved FruitBlox's YouTube content. The testing revealed additional usage occasions and consumer interests that BloxSnacks could leverage to expand their marketing efforts beyond their original scope.

How the data helped move product onto retailer shelves

The research delivered exactly what BloxSnacks needed: substantive product data that would bolster their existing relationships with multinational retailers and help open doors for swift expansion into new partnerships.

The comprehensive consumer insights provided a foundation for confident retailer conversations, backed by real consumer feedback on taste, purchase intent, and marketing effectiveness. This data-driven approach positioned BloxSnacks to move from product development to retail expansion with unprecedented speed and confidence.

The bottom line

BloxSnacks' partnership with Highlight demonstrates how strategic consumer research can accelerate retail success. By investing in a focused 4-day study with 120 families, they generated two weeks' worth of retailer-ready data that would have taken months to accumulate through traditional market entry methods.

For emerging brands in competitive categories, the lesson is clear: the right research partner can transform your timeline from years to weeks, turning consumer insights into retail opportunities at the speed of modern commerce.

Download the full case study here.

Ready to transform your product idea into retailer-ready data and accelerate your path to major retail partnerships? The key is finding strategic research solutions that deliver presentation-ready insights while providing the consumer validation your sales team needs to win shelf space. Schedule a demo with Highlight to learn more.