- Consumer and Markets
Sensory studies and consumer research
We turn the consumer experience into safer innovation decisions
Our approach makes it possible to understand why a product is liked, how it is experienced and what drives its choice, considering not only the product itself, but also the role of packaging as a generator of expectations and a key element in the overall experience, providing rigorous evidence to reduce risks, accelerate innovation and strengthen positioning throughout the entire product life cycle.
We operate both nationally and internationally, supporting companies in decision-making across different markets and cultural contexts.
Understanding the consumer beyond acceptance
- What the product is like from a sensory point of view.
- How it is perceived and valued emotionally.
- How packaging helps create expectations and reinforces positioning.
- How context, timing and the environment of use influence the experience.
- Which attributes truly explain preference and choice.
This holistic approach makes it possible to anticipate product success and make innovation decisions with greater confidence.
From insights to action
Our studies are designed to answer key business, innovation and marketing questions, such as:
- What makes a product stand out from the competition?
- Which sensory attributes drive acceptance and repeat purchase?
- What role does packaging play in the purchase decision and in the perception of value?
- Where are the real opportunities for improvement?
- What changes provide real value to the consumer?
- How can a coherent and differentiated sensory and packaging proposition be built?
We support strategic decisions such as:
- Development and selection of new proposals.
- Reformulation and optimisation of products.
- Benchmarking and competitive positioning.
- Validation of launches and range extensions.
- Technical support for sensory and user experience claims, with a regulatory approach.
When emotion and context make the difference
For this reason, we combine declarative research with objective neuroscience tools for analysing consumer response, which make it possible to capture:
- Attention and spontaneous reactions.
- Non-verbalised emotional responses.
- Real impact of the product, message and packaging design on the overall experience.
Our methodologies: an advanced toolbox at the service of business
We have a broad methodological ecosystem, which we adapt to the objectives of each project, combining scientific rigour and flexibility:
Expert sensory evaluation
- Trained multi-product panels.
- Sensory profiles (descriptive analysis).
- Assessment of formulation changes, processes and sensory shelf life.
- Comparative and sensory positioning studies.
Consumer studies
Acceptance and preference tests.
In-room studies (CLT) and real-use studies (HUT).
Integrated assessment of product, concept and packaging.
Competitive benchmarking and consumer segmentation.
Emotion, perception and non-conscious response
Objective measurement of the emotional experience.
Analysis of attention and automatic reactions.
Support for innovation, communication and product and packaging design.
Context and user experience
Studies in real-life contexts.
Immersive environments and simulation of purchase or use situations.
The AINIA difference
- Integration of sensory analysis, consumer research, formulation, process and packaging.
- Scientific rigour and technical evidence applied to business.
- Support for claim validation with a regulatory approach.
- Applied R&D and knowledge transfer.
- Expert interpretation focused on decision-making and the market.
AINIA is a member of the European Sensory Network (ESN), a leading international network that brings together the main research centres in sensory analysis and consumer science. This membership enables us to participate in the development and harmonisation of methodologies, international collaborative projects and the continuous exchange of scientific knowledge, ensuring studies aligned with international best practices and results that are comparable across markets.
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