Food Technology in a Post-Covid World
Food Services in COVID-19: The Age of Transformation
Few industries have been as hard hit recently as Food Services & Food Retail. The sudden onset of the pandemic sparked a need to adapt transformative technologies and embrace new business models quickly, rethinking the entire process of how food is prepared and shared.
We surveyed 150 technology decision makers and found an industry changing in real time. Here's some of what we learned....
The challenge: Shifts in consumer behavior
COVID-19 has changed the way customers shop and eat, with health and safety concerns increasing demand for online ordering, pick-up and delivery options. This has had a major impact on food providers, and created a new urgency to adopt cutting-edge technologies in food purchasing, preparation, and handoff.
Top strategic priorities for tech adoption
Using the pull-down menu, see why decision makers are turning to transformative technologies — and how their priorities have changed over the past year.
January 2020
August 2020
The process: redefine the priorities
How will food providers respond to shifting consumer behaviors? Over the next 24 months, they'll be experimenting with their business models – for example, deconstructing the general-purpose store into single-purpose facilities, such as self-service and drive-thru only stores, dedicated fulfillment centers, and ghost kitchens. In addition, they'll be looking at managing home deliveries themselves to recoup profits.
The focus: emphasis on agility
To pivot to new or augmented business models, agility is a must. In fact, 100% of survey respondents agreed it's the key factor driving business success since the pandemic began. Agility depends on a number of factors, including rapid decision and learning cycles. But the most important enabler is digital transformation – rethinking every aspect of your business through the lens of what digital technology allows.
The emergence of key needs
Food providers know that investing in new technologies can give them a strategic advantage, especially during the pandemic. Right now, their top strategic priority is integrating physical, digital and mobile experiences to provide consumers with a safe and convenient way to enjoy their food. This includes point-of-sale-devices, self-ordering kiosks and drive-thru communication systems all connected to the back of the restaurant. Also key is high-end commercial food appliances to help find solutions for daily challenges and deliver a seamless experience of the highest quality.
Get more key insights from our survey
Ready to dig further into the state of the industry and the growing role of transformative technologies? See all the results from our research by downloading our full report.
Infographics
Infographic: Key findings for QSR
Infographic: Key findings for Grocery
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Learn more about our technology solutions for Food Services & Food Retail
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HBR food industry pulse survey
Back in early 2020, before the coronavirus outbreak hit North America, we conducted a Food Services & Food Retail study in partnership with Harvard Business Review. It's a fascinating snapshot of industry priorities and attitudes about transformative technologies at a time before unforeseen events would create a new urgency to evolve.
Food Services & Food Retail eBook
Where is the industry headed? Who's making the best use of today's technology? how are Panasonic and Hussmann moving business forward? Get the answers in our five-minute eBook.