Big data in the food industry is being applied in a number of ways, revolutionizing how businesses run daily operations and streamlining complex processes across the board. If you’re looking for the right food product launch strategy, you might be surprised at just how much this technology can support your efforts. We’ll look at the five major changes we’re seeing and what they mean for everyone.
1. More Predictable Deliveries
When food can spoil in record time, food delivery is always going to be of the utmost importance. Even one miscalculated time can eat into profit margins or cause a major dent for the business’ reputation. Big data can be used to monitor traffic, climate, and construction. It takes into account the ramifications of a route change, using artificial intelligence to better estimate where food is and when it will arrive.
2. Customer Preference
How do customers in different locations feel about certain ingredients? What are their favorite flavors? We can see big data being used today to understand how customer sentiment factors into buying patterns. It helps the food industry tap into these preferences, make relevant changes, and craft better food product launch strategies. For instance, you might see a big brand ask its customers to weigh in on their next product, using hashtags to count the votes and decide what their release should be.
3. Marketing and PR
Brand loyalty and big data go hand-in-hand, and there are plenty of ways to use it to spark an interest in different kinds of foods. New technology has made it possible for brands to partner together in inventive ways, often for publicity stunts that get the conversation rolling about both companies. For instance, Uber collaborated with Iron Works BBQ specifically for South by Southwest. By participating in such a popular event, these brands were guaranteed to get positive publicity with on-time orders and truly delicious barbeque.
4. Mobile Apps
Mobile apps allow people to research a menu, make reservations, and order ahead for pickup. The best ones will track a person’s patterns and offer discounts/freebies based on what the individual likes. This is a great way to understand how people react to all of their experiences, not just the taste of the food. From selecting items to payment options, big data shares insights that would otherwise remain invisible.
5. Supply Chain
The more a business owner understands the supply chain, the better they can communicate with their customers. Brands today are trying to build trust with their authority, offering more than stock answers and driving to the heart of what people care about. Sustainable brands especially love big data because it allows them to prove their commitment to a much larger cause.
Food product launches can reinvigorate brands of every kind, but it can be difficult to stand out in such a crowded space. If you’re looking for more positive exposure, The Greater Goods has a team that can use big data to find a strategy that will work for you. Lean into our expertise and let us connect with your customers in new ways.