Convenience has always been a key driver of consumer purchases in the food industry. While today’s consumers are more conscientious about the foods they eat, they still want products that are convenient and easy to prepare. Research by Nielsen revealed that one in four U.S. adults has purchased a meal kit in the last year, and 70 percent continue to buy them after making their first purchase.
Today’s consumers want more variety in their food, but they are also more critical of product labels. They want food supply chain transparency, especially about the origin of their products they buy. On the regulatory side, new laws stipulate a focus on preventing contaminated raw materials from getting into the food supply chain, rather than dealing with contamination in factories. For anyone involved in the supply chain, delivering on these expectations can be challenging.
Join FoodLogiQ for a live webinar on Thursday, August 2nd, 2018 at 3:00 pm ET when we'll talk with Donna Garren at American Frozen Food Institute and Eric Moore at Testo about creating a connected cold chain.
Increased globalization and remote sourcing in the food industry have brought food options and convenience closer to home for many consumers. However, the ever-growing demand for these products has created new challenges for suppliers, shippers, and retailers. With the perishables industry constantly expanding, physical distances and shipping conditions are critical considerations in the supply chain.
Food recalls and withdrawals are inevitable in the food industry. From a marketing perspective, preserving your brand reputation while ensuring consumer safety during food recalls is a priority. Understanding consumer responses to food recalls is also crucial for proper food recall management. How do you maintain customer loyalty while managing a food crisis?
The food industry is fast-moving when it comes to responding to consumer preferences. Social media allows information to be shared instantly to millions of people. It’s an opportunity for the food industry to listen and engage with consumers.
In the article “How to Use Social Media as a Test Kitchen for Your Brand,” QSR Magazine social media turned sweet tea-loving guests of McAlister’s Deli into fans of a new green tea option. McAlister’s asked the question, “Who’s talking about green tea and what are they saying?” to determine trends and preferences. They discovered that flavored green tea was more popular on social media. Consumer feedback allowed the company to create a niche flavor that would represent their brand and resonate with tea drinkers.
