• by OMMA Editors , April 29, 2014

Gigwalk crowdsources the typically costly and lengthy project of doing retail research that monitors product launches, in store marketing programs, shelf positioning. The app lets anyone be a researcher for hire, fielding tasks for in store research contracted by product manufacturers. They often are taking pictures of items in stores, describing product placement and answering surveys on the retail experience. The users get paid to check product presence and status in store. They not only earn money but themselves engage with the product and brand in ways that also benefit the manufacturer. The model has the potential of changing not only how research is done but how merchandising can be optimized closer to real time.