SMARI Research

Consumer value isn’t just about performance. It’s about whether improvements feel meaningful enough to justify paying more.

In this month’s micro case study, we explored how research helped a household cleaning brand evaluate whether a product redesign could increase purchase intent, strengthen positioning, and support a premium price point.

The result? Clearer insight into how consumers define value and what drives confidence in a product relaunch. 🚀

Ready to define (or redefine) brand? Let’s discuss how SMARI can provide clarity and drive your brand’s growth

🔗: https://smari.com/

All gave some, some gave all.

Today, we pause to remember the fallen heroes whose sacrifice will never be forgotten. We honor their courage, service, and dedication to our country with gratitude and respect. ❤️🤍💙

It's National Volunteer Week!

This week reminds us that our people are our greatest strength. Not just in the work we do, but in the impact we make together in our communities.

Here at SMARI, we’re grateful for a team that consistently gives their time and energy to make a positive difference!

🔗 https://smari.com/

Happy St. Patrick's Day from your friends at SMARI!

This year, we’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day a little differently by putting our pets front and center for “St. PETrick’s Day.” We asked our team to share their pets in their best festive green, and they definitely delivered! This crew is bringing all the good vibes. 🍀🐾

Happy National Leadership Day!

Today, we’re celebrating the journey of leadership at SMARI, from founder to next generation. Leadership isn’t just about carrying the torch; it’s about lighting the path forward and continuing to evolve with purpose, vision, and impact. 🚀

Watch the full conversation with CEO Katie Ittenbach and Founder Jim Ittenbach to hear insights on succession, growth, and what it means to lead into the future: https://youtu.be/Cflv_n3BTpQ?si=YnnHzEBeKaHP3UAe

How a Second-Gen Leader Made the Company Her Own How do you know when your successor is ready to take over?Katie Ittenbach, President & CEO of SMARI Research, and SMARI founder Jim Ittenbach join Scott Eck...

Roses are red, insights are sweet🌹
We turn data into stories that can’t be beat. 💕

We’re thankful for the relationships that make our work meaningful and the collaboration that drives real impact.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at SMARI! 🩵

💘 Love is in the air… but not every trend is getting a second date.

We asked 287 Americans to swipe right or left on today’s trendiest products.

And the results?... Let’s just say some brands are getting ghosted. 👻

From air fryers to cold plunges, here’s what consumers are actually committing to in 2026.

The design team loved it. Shoppers didn’t. 📦

This month's micro case study highlights how a trendier package increased visual appeal, but created uncertainty around product clarity, quality, and taste. Research helped uncover where style crossed the line into skepticism.

Groundhog Day check: six more weeks of winter… but we're still showing up and getting things done 🦫❄️ Sources say that Punxsutawney Phil gets it right only about 30% of the time, so here’s to progress and optimism either way!

https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/punxsutawney-phil-groundhog-day-predictions-accuracy/

Last Friday, the SMARI team came together for a vision boarding session to reflect on who we are and who we want to become. We explored prompts around the words that define our team and workflow, as well as where we hope to be in the future, helping to shape our direction moving forward. We wrapped things up with wine and cupcakes to celebrate Wes’ birthday, making it a great way to end a busy week! 🧁🎉