Why Columbus?
Test markets are an important part of the development of new products, but where is the best place to set them? Many companies have had success by using Columbus Ohio as a testing site. Upon first glance, it seems like a strange place for reviewing foods, but it's actually the second largest city in the Midwest. It's also home to a large variety of different people and cultures. As stated in the Thrillist article, “Within five minutes you can go from downtown [Columbus] to a farm.” Columbus has a large population of “average” citizens, aka the type of people most businesses are advertising to. Bigger cities like Los Angeles and New York may seem like the more obvious choice, however they lack the socio-economic diversity Columbus possesses. Those cities have greater populations, but the wealth distribution between them is much larger as well. Additionally, Columbus is surrounded by farms, suburbs, and even a college town, making age and interests vary more than most other citie...