Know what you’re testing.
Know what you’ll get.

Consumer focus groups and product testing

Understand how people respond to your product before you launch, scale or commit to a new direction. We bring together relevant participants for a guided discussion about first impressions, appeal, clarity and the reasons someone might hesitate to buy.

Bring a physical product, an early concept or alternatives you want to compare. We can explore packaging, messaging and price perceptions, with questions shaped around the decision your business needs to make.

Who is this research for?

Startups and early-stage businesses can test assumptions before investing further. Brands preparing to launch can explore whether their product and message make sense to the intended audience. Established businesses can investigate a new concept, customer concerns or a change in positioning.

We work across areas including beauty and wellbeing, retail and lifestyle, pet products and education. The brief determines the audience and method; a school project needs a different approach from a consumer product session.

How are participants selected?

Our core consumer audience is London-based women and men aged 18–35. Participants are selected around the interests, lifestyle and buying habits relevant to your brand, including pet ownership where appropriate.

We agree the audience criteria before recruitment. These can include recent purchases, category use and whether someone chooses or pays for the product. Need a different age group or audience? Tell us your requirements so we can discuss feasibility.

From first impressions to in-depth focus groups

First-impression testing: 4–5 curated participants, a product testing session with guided discussion and a clear, actionable one-page insight summary. Explore what people like, what they question and whether they would consider buying.

Content includes five professionally edited photos of participants interacting with the product and one edited 30–45 second reaction video.

In-depth focus groups: 8–10 curated participants, split testing of options such as packaging, pricing or messaging, a full insight deck with findings and recommendations, and a 45-minute founder walkthrough call.

Content includes two edited 30-second reaction videos, a full 45–60 minute focus group recording and three written participant reviews. Any publication is agreed for a suitable platform and must reflect participants’ honest views.

Bespoke support: we can tailor the research and deliverables to your objectives. Participant numbers, materials, content permissions and reporting are confirmed in the project scope.

Remote focus group transcription and analysis

Already have a focus group or recordings? You can organise the participants and run the sessions, then share the agreed recordings, transcripts or feedback for remote analysis.

We can help with discussion questions and planning, recording review, transcription, thematic analysis and reporting. We capture recurring themes, differences between participants and relevant issues raised beyond the original questions. The findings reflect what was said, including critical or unexpected feedback.

This support is available for businesses, schools and organisations outside London. We agree secure sharing, the material to review and the required output before you send participant information.

Education research and parent feedback

Schools and education organisations can use focus groups to understand parent experiences, communication, engagement and underlying concerns. Where new and established families take part, we retain that context when interpreting the discussion.

Your school can recruit parents and run its own sessions. We can support the discussion guide, review recordings and bring the feedback together in a clear report. Research objectives, participant information and recording arrangements are agreed for each project.

B2B prospect research

Find companies and senior decision-makers that fit your commercial goals. We research and qualify target accounts, map relevant roles and prioritise prospects with a reason for each match.

The brief defines sectors, company characteristics, target roles and the information required. Available business contact details can be included where agreed. This service supports prospecting; it does not guarantee introductions, replies or sales.

How a project works

1. Share your brief. Tell us what you are working on, who you want to understand and the decision you need to make.
2. Agree the scope. We confirm the audience, method, deliverables, timing and quote before work starts.
3. Gather or review the feedback. We run the agreed research or analyse material from sessions you organise.
4. Use the findings. Receive the agreed summary, report or insight deck, with recommendations and a walkthrough where included.

Common questions

How much does a project cost?

We quote around the audience, recruitment, number of sessions, materials, analysis and content required. Share your objectives and budget so we can recommend a suitable scope.

How long does it take?

Timing depends on recruitment, participant availability, product readiness and the reporting required. We confirm the schedule when agreeing the brief.

Can you work with our existing participants?

Yes. We can support planning and analyse sessions you organise yourself. We agree the participant context, recording permissions and material needed before starting.

Will a focus group tell us whether the product will sell?

Focus groups help explain reactions, preferences and objections. Small qualitative sessions do not measure market-wide demand or guarantee sales. Use the findings alongside other evidence when deciding what to launch or invest in.