Top 10 Things to Consider Regarding Consumer Trends in Food

Consumer Trends In Food

The food service industry can be a lucrative sector for businesses – from restaurants and cafés to hotel and catering services. It’s not just about great food, but more importantly about understanding what customers want. We can divide this into two parts; the macro-trends, which encompass overall patterns of behavior; and the micro-trends, which are specific to individual segments and locations. As the franchisor, it is important to understand the both trends, as they will allow you to provide the best customer experience, expand your operations, and enrich your business data.

In this article, we will discuss the top 10 things to consider in order to stay up to date with consumer trends in food. We will provide an overview of the macro and micro-trends, and how having access to market intelligence can give you an edge in this highly competitive market.

1. Stay on top of food trends

The consumer’s approach to food today is everchanging, and understanding today’s trends is key. Health and convenience are evermore important – with the demand for healthier food at competitive prices, and for the convenience of quick, on-the-go meals. Knowing the macro-trends will help you identify opportunities to capitalize in the form of new product or services.

2. Focus on health and convenience

In the consumer trends in food, health and convenience are top priorities. Consumers are clamoring for food that is healthy, sustainable, and good for their bodies, while also demanding fast, convenient meals. This presents a unique challenge for businesses – how to provide healthy and convenient food, while maintaining competitive prices.

3. Analyze customer data

Analyzing customer data, such as shopping behaviors, purchasing patterns, and preferences, can provide invaluable insights into consumer trends in food. This is especially true at the micro level – by understanding the particular preferences and behaviors of individuals in a given geographic location, businesses can tailor their services and offerings accordingly.

4. Track cuisine choices

Cuisine is one area where trends are constantly shifting. New shift in preferences to global cuisines have seen a surge in the popularity of subtle flavors and spices of South Asian, African and Middle Eastern cuisines. Additionally, the rise of vegetarian and vegan diets is a trend that food establishments need to be aware of.

5. Consider environmentally-friendly packaging

Conscious consumers are also increasingly opting for eco-friendly food packaging. According to the USDA, 94 percent of Americans believe it is important for restaurants to offer environmentally-friendly packaging. This is a trend to keep in mind while considering food and packaging options.

6. Utilize social media for feedback

Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter provide opportunities to gain real-time feedback from customers. It also represents a great idea generation platform – businesses can utilize this feedback to better understand consumer trends in food, develop customer profiles and create better relationships with customers.

7. Invest in the right technology

Technology is revolutionizing the food industry – from menus to payments, and more. Usability and convenience are becoming increasingly important for food service businesses, with the demand for mobile apps and other tech-driven services for customers on the rise. Investing in the right technology can help businesses capture more of the market share.

8. Personalize your food experience

To remain competitive in the food service industry, businesses need to provide a premium and personalized food experience. Whether it’s exclusive partnerships, or custom menus for various occasions, providing customers with an exclusive, personalized experience is sure to attract and retain customers.

9. Market your business

Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy and a strong online presence will enable customers to find your business easily. It’s also important to keep customers engaged with special promotions, discounts, and loyalty programs.

10. Tap into market intelligence

Gaining access to food service market intelligence, such as in-depth menus, restaurant tech coverage, production innovation, and data enrichment, can provide businesses with insightful data-driven insights that can help them make better decisions and expand operations.

To stay competitive, businesses in the foodservice sector need to stay up to date with the ever-changing consumer trends in food. Understanding the macro and micro-trends, analyzing customer data, tracking cuisine choices, investing in the right technology, utilizing social media, and tapping into market intelligence can help businesses keep their finger on the pulse and stay ahead of the competition.