UNiDAYS has launched a new sampling initiative called Sample Society, designed to provide university students and recent graduates with access to free product samples from leading brands. This programme is delivered in partnership with SoPost, a technology company specialising in digital sampling solutions. The initiative targets young consumers, specifically those in higher education or recently graduated, and aims to introduce them to new products while they are forming long-term brand preferences. The service is currently available in the UK, US, and German markets.
The UNiDAYS Sample Society is a collaborative effort between UNiDAYS, a platform offering student discounts, and SoPost. The partnership aims to support brands in engaging with Gen Z audiences by distributing samples to verified students whose characteristics and buying preferences align with the products on offer. According to the partners, the programme is intended to boost brand awareness, foster loyalty, gather consumer intelligence, and drive sales following the trial period. It allows brands to place samples directly into the hands of students who are likely to be interested in their products.
The first brands to participate in the UNiDAYS Sample Society are Drunk Elephant, E.l.f Cosmetics, and Rituals. These brands are set to launch individual sampling campaigns through the platform in the coming weeks. The programme leverages UNiDAYS' member base, which consists of over 27 million members globally, including more than eight million verified students and graduates in the UK and ten million in the US. This extensive network provides a significant foundation for reaching Gen Z consumers.
Jonny Grubin, Founder and CEO of SoPost, stated that the partnership aligns with SoPost's mission to help brands connect with consumers in meaningful ways. He highlighted that the collaboration offers brands unparalleled access to Gen Z audiences at a crucial time in their lives. By using SoPost's sampling technology combined with the UNiDAYS network, brands can target students effectively. Jessica Hewitt, Global Head of Beauty and Wellness at UNiDAYS, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the opportunity for brands to tap into the Gen Z audience and place samples in the hands of students whose personal characteristics and buying preferences align with the brand.
Understanding the UNiDAYS Platform
UNiDAYS is primarily known as a student discount app, offering learning and money-saving deals. It is a free application available on platforms such as the Apple App Store. The app has a high user rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 157,000 ratings. It functions by providing exclusive discounts and offers from over 800 brands and retailers to its member base.
The UNiDAYS app collects specific data from its users. According to the app's privacy information, data may be used to track users across apps and websites owned by other companies. This includes usage data and other data types. Furthermore, data linked to the user's identity is collected, which includes contact information, user content, search history, identifiers, usage data, and other data. Data not linked to the user's identity, such as diagnostics, may also be collected. This data collection is relevant for students considering the app's privacy implications, although it is standard for many applications of this nature.
The Sample Society Mechanism
The Sample Society appears to operate as a dedicated sampling community within the UNiDAYS ecosystem. While the specific mechanics of how samples are requested or distributed are not fully detailed in the provided sources, the concept is presented as a place for members to "get free samples from top brands" and "test the newest must-haves first." The messaging suggests a focus on beauty products, referring to "beauty must-haves" and "top brands" in the beauty sector.
The programme is described as "exclusive," implying that samples are available only to UNiDAYS members who join the Sample Society. The promotional language used to describe the service includes phrases such as "Your go-to for the latest beauty must-haves" and "Try trending products from top brands before they hit the shelves." This suggests that the programme is designed to provide early access to new products.
Eligibility and Access
To access the UNiDAYS Sample Society, an individual must be a member of UNiDAYS. UNiDAYS membership is restricted to university students and recent graduates. The platform verifies student status to ensure that only eligible individuals receive student discounts and, presumably, access to exclusive samples. The sources indicate that the programme targets young consumers, specifically those at the stage of making long-term brand choices.
The programme is launched across the UK, US, and German markets. Therefore, UK-based students and graduates who are registered with UNiDAYS are eligible to participate. The sources do not specify any additional eligibility requirements beyond being a verified UNiDAYS member, such as specific age ranges or fields of study, though the target audience is Gen Z.
Participating Brands
The initial brands confirmed to be participating in the UNiDAYS Sample Society are Drunk Elephant, E.l.f Cosmetics, and Rituals. These brands are prominent in the beauty and wellness sectors. Drunk Elephant is a skincare brand, E.l.f Cosmetics offers makeup and skincare products, and Rituals is known for body care and home fragrance products. The involvement of these specific brands confirms the programme's initial focus on beauty and wellness categories.
The sources mention that these brands will be launching their individual sampling campaigns over the coming weeks. This suggests that the availability of specific samples may vary over time and depend on the campaigns run by individual brands. While these are the launch partners, the programme is likely open to other brands as well, given the partnership with SoPost which serves multiple brand clients. However, the provided sources do not list any other participating brands beyond the initial three.
Benefits for Consumers
The primary benefit for consumers is the ability to receive free product samples from desirable brands. The programme offers a way to try new products before purchasing them. This is particularly valuable in the beauty industry, where product suitability can be subjective and varies from person to person. By receiving a sample, a student can test a product on their own skin or hair to see if it works for them before committing to buying a full-size item.
The programme also offers the benefit of discovering new products. The promotional text mentions "Try the hottest new products before anyone else" and "Try trending products from top brands before they hit the shelves." This positions the Sample Society as a source for early access to new releases, allowing members to stay ahead of trends.
Furthermore, the samples are described as "exclusive." This implies that the samples available through this channel may not be available through other free sample programmes. For students looking to save money on beauty products, this exclusive access is a significant advantage.
Benefits for Brands
The UNiDAYS Sample Society offers several benefits for brands. It provides access to a large, engaged, and verified audience of Gen Z consumers. By targeting students and recent graduates, brands can reach consumers at a critical time when they are establishing brand loyalties that may last for years.
The partnership with SoPost provides brands with sophisticated sampling technology. This technology allows brands to target samples based on personal characteristics and buying preferences. This ensures that samples are sent to individuals who are likely to be interested in the product, increasing the efficiency of the sampling campaign compared to untargeted distribution.
The programme is designed to drive specific business outcomes: boosting brand awareness, fostering brand loyalty, gathering consumer and market intelligence, and driving post-trial sales. By tracking who receives samples and potentially gathering feedback (though not explicitly stated in the sources, this is a common function of sampling technology), brands can gain valuable insights into consumer preferences. The ultimate goal is to convert trial users into full-price customers.
The Role of SoPost
SoPost is the technology partner enabling the Sample Society. SoPost is a company that specialises in digital product sampling. Their technology facilitates the connection between brands and consumers. In the context of the UNiDAYS partnership, SoPost's technology is used to manage the distribution of samples to UNiDAYS members.
SoPost's technology allows for targeted sampling. As stated by Jonny Grubin, the technology enables brands to place samples into the hands of students whose personal characteristics and buying preferences align with the products. This targeting is crucial for the success of the programme. It moves away from mass, untargeted sampling to a more precise method that increases the likelihood of the sample being well-received and leading to a purchase.
SoPost's involvement suggests that the process of receiving samples might involve filling out a profile or providing some information that helps with targeting, although the sources do not explicitly describe the user journey within the Sample Society. The partnership is presented as a way to connect with consumers in "meaningful ways," suggesting a more personalised approach than traditional free sample offers.
Privacy Considerations
As mentioned in the description of the UNiDAYS app, data collection is a part of the user experience. Students interested in joining the Sample Society should be aware of the data practices associated with the UNiDAYS platform. The app collects data linked to the user's identity, including contact info, user content, search history, identifiers, usage data, and other data. This data is used to provide the service, including discounts and likely to target the sampling offers.
While the specific privacy policy for the Sample Society itself is not detailed in the sources, it operates within the UNiDAYS ecosystem. Therefore, users should review the UNiDAYS privacy policy to understand how their data is used. The fact that data is used to track users across other apps and websites is a standard practice for many apps but is worth noting for privacy-conscious consumers.
Market Context
The launch of the UNiDAYS Sample Society reflects a broader trend in the consumer goods industry towards targeted digital sampling. Brands are increasingly moving away from traditional methods like magazine inserts or generic online sample requests. They are seeking more efficient ways to reach specific demographics.
Gen Z is a highly sought-after demographic. They are digital natives who value authenticity and personalisation. By partnering with UNiDAYS, brands can reach this demographic in a digital environment where they are already active. The emphasis on "authentic recommendations and social sharing" mentioned by Jonny Grubin suggests that the programme may also be designed to encourage users to share their experiences on social media, further amplifying the reach of the sampling campaigns.
The focus on beauty is also notable. The beauty industry relies heavily on sampling to drive sales, as consumers often need to try products to see results or find the right shade. Digital sampling platforms like Sample Society streamline this process, making it easier for consumers to request samples and for brands to manage distribution.
How to Join Sample Society
Based on the provided sources, the specific steps to join the Sample Society are not explicitly detailed. However, it can be inferred that the process is integrated into the UNiDAYS platform. The promotional text includes calls to action such as "Join Sample Society," "sign up today," and "join now!" This suggests that there is a specific section or page within the UNiDAYS ecosystem dedicated to Sample Society.
Presumably, a user would need to: 1. Download the UNiDAYS app or visit the UNiDAYS website. 2. Verify their student or graduate status. 3. Navigate to the Sample Society section. 4. Potentially complete a profile or indicate product preferences to aid in targeting. 5. Browse available samples and request them.
The sources mention that the programme is "just for you," implying a personalised selection of samples based on the user's profile. The exact mechanics of how samples are requested—whether through a lottery system, a first-come-first-served basis, or an invitation-only model—are not specified in the provided text.
Limitations of the Information
The provided source material offers a high-level overview of the UNiDAYS Sample Society partnership and its objectives. However, it lacks specific operational details that would be useful for a consumer looking to participate. Key details missing include: * The exact process for requesting samples within the app or website. * Any costs associated with the samples (though the term "free samples" is used, some programmes charge for shipping; this is not addressed). * The frequency with which new samples become available. * Whether there are limits on how many samples a user can request. * The specific data points used for targeting samples (beyond the general categories listed in the app privacy section).
Without this information, consumers can understand the concept and benefits of the programme but cannot fully anticipate the user experience or the likelihood of receiving specific samples. The sources are primarily press release and app store description materials, which focus on the strategic partnership rather than the granular details of the consumer offer.
Conclusion
The UNiDAYS Sample Society represents a significant development in free sample offerings for UK students. It combines the reach of the UNiDAYS student discount platform with the targeted sampling technology of SoPost. The programme offers UK students and recent graduates the opportunity to receive exclusive free samples from major beauty brands, starting with Drunk Elephant, E.l.f Cosmetics, and Rituals.
The initiative is designed to benefit both consumers, who get to try new products for free, and brands, who gain access to a valuable Gen Z audience with the potential for high conversion rates. While the specific mechanics of how to join and request samples are not fully detailed in the available sources, the programme is clearly positioned as a premier destination for beauty enthusiasts in the student community. Students interested in free beauty samples should monitor the UNiDAYS platform for the launch of the Sample Society and follow the instructions provided there to participate.