When the coronavirus hit the United States, the food and beverage industry found itself facing a whole new set of challenges. What followed has been a massive transformation likely to have lasting consequences for the industry and the nation. Food and beverage companies large to small have innovated and adapted to fighting the uphill struggle to stay in business.
According to a survey by AMC Global, a market research firm; consumers expect to be much less reliant on takeout than they are now. Currently, 33% of consumers are getting more takeout than before the pandemic, while just 13% of consumers say they expect to be as reliant on off-premise dining after the threat passes.
“The current pandemic is changing consumer behavior and will continue to have an influence even when the crisis subsides,” AMC Global said in a news release.
Among the poll’s other findings:
- 45% of consumers say they’re currently eating less fast food than they normally do.
- 38% of consumers say they will support local businesses more in the future.
- 32% of those polled plan to make more home-cooked meals after the virus passes.
- Currently, 33% of consumers are baking more than they typically do.
- 40% of those surveyed said they plan to focus more on saving and budgeting their money after the coronavirus threat passes.
- A quarter of those surveyed said they’re currently drinking more than three alcoholic beverages per week, while just 9% say they plan to keep up that pace post-pandemic.
Lots changes are on the horizon for the food and beverage industry. Our new client, Alonzo Cudd from Pita Pita Cafe in California, believes marketing will change immensely due to COVID-19. Cudd says, “If you believe that person to person interaction is going to be restricted to some degree for the next year, and I do, marketers are going to get more creative in how they engage their customers. The goal for digital is how personalized we can become, but we also shouldn’t forget about the physical things our customers will come in contact with like our packaging. Years ago the brick and mortar retail world was rocked by online retailers and services like Amazon and Netflix. Consequently, even legacy brands disappeared because they couldn’t compete. Restaurants are now in the same position. If they aren’t seriously looking at how they’re investing in their digital experience then I don’t see how they are going to be successful.”
Now more than ever is the time for this industry to amp up its digital presence. Pita Pita Cafe has doubled their online sales since beginning work with Stinger Studios. We have increased their SEO, redefined the user experience and placed ads on Google and Facebook. Contact us today for help in growing your business.