Technology and ecommerce affect every industry, now more than ever. As consumer preferences change in the food and beverage market, technology has been right there – taking advantage of every opportunity to capitalize on the upcoming trends.
Same day delivery is becoming a service that more and more retailers are adopting. Larger companies like Google, Amazon and Walmart all expanded their same day delivery into new cities in 2014. Google’s Express delivery service also offers same day delivery under a subscription model, making grocery delivery from several of the most popular retailers like Costco, Whole Foods and Target only $10 per month. Investors are confident in successful food e-commerce startups like Instacart and are expecting this trend to continue to expand in the future.
Younger generations are also placing more importance on health and simplicity when it comes to food and relying on technology to navigate the market. Generation Z, the group born after millennials (1995-present), have been exposed to a variety of foods from a young age and, with the expansion of social media and technology, information on food is more easily available than ever before. There are resources available to help families instill healthy eating habits and counteract the influence to eat fast food and junk food. Companies like Raddish and JoyFoodly offer recipes, tutorials, and activities aimed to get families and kids involved in the kitchen and focus on healthy eating.
Finally, nutrition labels are being deciphered. Consumers are paying attention to food labels and want to know more information about a food’s ingredients, chemical makeup, nutritional values and allergens. Products like the Prep Pad and the Countertop app make it simple to measure and weigh foods, create meals and track nutritional content. Hand held food sensors are taking it a step beyond the labels. The TellSpec scanner uses a micro-spectrometer to measure the makeup of your food’s calories, nutrients and allergens on the spot. Another portable gluten sensor is being developed and tested for accuracy to see if it can be reliable enough for people with life-threatening allergies to scan their food on the spot and eat with confidence.
All of these kitchen gadgets are leading to a more connected kitchen with smart refrigerators, ovens and crock pots coming out that can be connected to your computer or mobile devices. Companies like Whirlpool are already imagining the stove of the future, a touch screen cook top that uses induction heat to cook your food, while the rest acts as a display to view your recipes, pick out music or browse the web.
As consumer preferences change, technology is right there to accommodate the growing demand. Don’t be left behind. Contact us today.
