The Indicator from Planet Money Plus The Indicator from Planet Money Plus

Does Planet Money’s game pass the shelf test? We go undercover to find out

Sep 3, 2026 · 9m

Summary

Planet Money hosts Kenny Malone and Wayan Wong join Exploding Kittens co-founder Alan Lee to conduct secret shelf tests for their new game, Sell Me a Sasquatch. They sneak prototypes into a big-box store to evaluate visibility, durability, and customer comprehension using the "3 feet, 3 seconds" rule. The episode reveals how retail placement and packaging design influence consumer behavior and sales success.

Topics discussed

Introduction: Sneaking into a retail store The art and science of retail shelf testing Executing the stealth mission with prototypes Test 1: Visual appeal and shelf placement Test 2: Visibility in chaotic conditions Test 3: The 3-second rule and shopper interaction Analyzing back-of-box clarity and confusion Conclusion: Game release and credits
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