Supermarket Fresh Prepared Is Going to the Dogs (and Cats)!
The supermarket fresh prepared area is finally going to the dogs, but in a good way! Earlier this month, the What’s in Store booth at IDDBA s showcased a unique variation on meal kits, and yes, it’s going to the dogs and cats! While meal kits for humans are on the rise, the pet meal kits are a viable option for those retailers looking for ways to maintain a sustainability platform within their operation. By 2024, the global dog food market is projected to reach $100 billion, so this may be a great opportunity for retailers to gain additional sales [...]
Lessons Learned — Share Experiences and Advice with “Newbies” in our Industry
Many of us are constantly learning new things every day, and if you are like me, you become a lifelong learner looking to better yourself with each day. Since this is American Education Week, I started to think about our industry and how we have a great amount of experienced professionals that install, service, troubleshoot and maintain equipment on a daily basis. They have stories to tell, experiences to share and great advice to impart — and who better to teach the “newbies” entering the field than those individuals. The tales that can been told are both valuable and sometimes, [...]
Capable of Making a Difference — Give Your Refrigeration System a CO2 Boost
Many businesses in recent years have been looking to “future-proof” their operations and the food retail industry is no exception. Supermarkets, convenience stores, and other food retail establishments have been turning to products and services that offer an environmentally friendly alternative for their business. Refrigeration systems and display cases are no exception. Companies are seeking equipment that withstands the impact of climate change, is energy-efficient and can accommodate technological and regulatory changes for the foreseeable future. When it comes to refrigeration systems, advances in technology have given manufacturers the ability to build and create systems that stand up to those [...]
Simplified Lunch – Where Flavor and Convenience Collide to Appease the Family Divide
Let’s be perfectly honest, kids would much rather have the option to eat “kid-friendly” foods than what grown-ups are eating. That pre-packaged snack meal or peanut butter and jelly sandwich are much more appealing than a salad, hummus, and vegetables or yogurt with fruit. Eating a healthy meal is imperative for growing children and providing that conveniently and on-the-go can sometimes be a challenge. With grab-n-go on the rise, and the more time-starved consumers have become, eating healthy and eating foods we LOVE was recently served up at IDDBA19! The perfect lunch concept was presented for “Work Lunches” targeted to adults [...]
Four Revolutionary Ways Supermarkets are Using Technology to Change the Food Retail Industry
Technology has undoubtedly changed how we do business. Whether in healthcare, banking, or education industry, technology has disrupted the world now more than ever. And now, gone are the days when we trudge our shopping carts around grocery stores or wait tirelessly in line at check-out counters because technology is already catching up in the food-retail industry – and it is all for a greater good. Here are the four revolutionary ways supermarkets are using technology to change the food retail industry: Augmented Reality AR has greatly helped improve the shopping experience of customers over the past few years. In [...]
Working From Home 101 – Working Outside of the Office Requires Focus and Strategy
The workplace today has changed for the time being due to the recent challenges we are faced with and, for some of us, working from home is unchartered territory. Not only are we dealing with communicating with our customers and colleagues differently, but for some of us, we also have a spouse /partner /children sharing space and either working or struggling with the end of the current school year and trying to find balance. We are not alone in what is going on today, but there are ways to make working from home a little easier, so the transition [...]
Food Safety in the Time of COVID-19
The fears over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) have led to anxiety over food safety throughout the world. In the United States alone, 64% of American consumers said they are avoiding eating out in the hope of eliminating the risk of contracting the virus. According to recent research, food safety trumps taste and is the number one priority for consumers in buying food due to the health crisis. Numerous households have widely adopted home-cooked meals while dine-in foods are upending. With the Coronavirus health crisis looming and evolving, is it still safe to buy food outside (takeout, delivery, and curbside among others) [...]
Food-Retail Establishments: Creatively Supporting Customers and Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has unprecedentedly changed the world and how we do business. Many businesses have suspended operations due to government mandates or fears over spreading the coronavirus. However, essential industries such as healthcare, finance, and supermarkets have remained in service during this health crisis. Supermarkets and grocery stores, eager to do their part in alleviating the crisis and flattening the curve, have adapted in ways that protect the safety and well-being of their employees and customers while also protecting their bottom lines. Technology and Strategic Shifts Protect Customers While Promoting Sales Many customers, consistent with stay-at-home orders, have [...]
How Food-Retailers Could Maximize Online Technology during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Many consumers have taken their grocery shopping online during the COVID pandemic. Online shopping has shown a significant surge of adoption over the past few weeks. Post pandemic, it is estimated that this trend will continue and food-retailers should strategize how to maximize online technology for short- and long-term benefits and implement resources for their customers. Enhancing Customer Experience A strategic and targeted way to enhance customer experience is through the use of mobile apps. Today, when smartphones are a primary tool for communication, it is advantageous for retailers to have mobile apps to communicate with their customers. Customers want [...]
Merchandising Tips for Food Retail Amid COVID-19
The beginning of 2020 has been an eventful one, to say the least. The world has been turned upside down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and grocery stores have been designated as essential businesses supplying the necessary resources to feed and provide for their customers. As a result, businesses are also needing to rethink their store layout and merchandising strategy. Supermarkets need to shift the dynamic of the way they have always done business. They are now reimagining their merchandising strategy, and how they can effectively use their existing equipment to accommodate the needs of today and offer [...]