We’re excited to announce some important changes to the way free samples work in Upstock. The changes are designed to streamline your workflow and provide even better opportunities to showcase your brand.

The changes will come into effect from Tuesday 22 October, so it’s important you and your team familiarise yourself with the new process before then.

You’ll no longer receive an order when a customer requests a sample. They’re now part of a customer’s invite to trade with you. This means that if a customer wants a free sample, they’ll need to invite you to trade.

We think this will make the process of managing leads smoother. As always, you decide whether to send a sample and if you want to accept the invite and start trading.

We'll no longer show customers a specific sample product. This gives you the flexibility to send whatever product is appropriate. For example, you might like to tailor the product you send to the type of customer.

Suppliers offering free samples are now shown at the very top of the Upstock marketplace, and across relevant categories (alcohol, baked goods, etc). Their profile is also badged to help it stand out.

Previously, our team managed sample requests on your behalf. Now, you’ll communicate directly with customers, making the process quicker and more efficient.

We highly recommend that you read our guide to managing free samples. It explains how to process a request, answers common questions, and has tips for converting customers.