Food & Beverage has played an important role in the world’s culture since ancient times. Our ancestors have been relying on food and beverages for survival. The process of making food and beverages have evolved throughout time. Initially people gathered natural ingredients that were gathered around the landscape. Later, with the development of agriculture, people were able to store, process, and prepare food and beverages.
Food & Beverage sales in the U.S. have been steadily growing over the past several years. The increase in sales comes as no surprise when you consider how much people enjoy making and drinking their own beverages. As a result, more companies are turning to ecommerce to reach a growing audience. Ecommerce solutions offered by leading beverage industry companies such as Perrier, Dr Pepper, Anheuser Busch, and Tiger Woods ecommerce are enabling companies to take their business to new frontiers. This new focus helps them create new profit margins as well as increase market share.
With so many beverage companies using ecommerce to boost sales, what is the latest digital food & beverage trend? According to a recent survey by McKinsey International, consumers are spending more time online than any other place at home or on the go. Consumers want instant solutions. For those companies providing this type of service, the answer to the question should ecommerce be the basis for your future growth and success is yes. A strong Internet presence combined with comprehensive marketing strategies can help you to reach new markets and increase customer reach and loyalty.
Ecommerce trends in food & beverage operations point to a new direction where the consumer can find more health-friendly products, such as organic and “all natural” foods and beverages. More restaurant-level restaurants are offering special dietary menu items, such as gluten-free and vegan selections. Even established beverage brands are exploring opportunities to offer more organic and less calorie choices to loyal customers. Ecommerce serves as a platform for these types of changes as well.
The next wave of ecommerce in food & beverage operations looks to provide the information consumers need on the products they choose to purchase from their favorite companies. This will likely be facilitated through the development of mobile apps. One of the hottest topics in the mobile world, integration of mobile technology with ecommerce is expected to be one of the hottest topics in this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. The creation of a mobile app would enable existing and potential clients to access pricing data, product and service information, directions, and customer reviews right from their devices.
In order to succeed in this digital transformation, companies must meet consumer expectations of increased productivity and improved customer service. It’s critical that ecommerce applications include the ability for agents to process transactions, provide leads, and connect with leads through social media, email, and other communication tools. This is expected to dramatically reduce the time it takes agents to complete transactions. Along with these new digital food & beverage industries expected improvements come additional business models and marketing initiatives to attract new customers. Companies are likely to continue to explore new approaches to attract and convert new customers.
While attending the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, students will create cutting-edge culinary applications and develop an appreciation for the science behind food & beverage operations. Students will also learn how to work with suppliers to bring one’s ideas to reality through strategic sourcing and relationship building. Internships will expose students to important industry partners, develop new skills, and enhance ones understanding of culinary arts education. Career training can open the door to exciting career opportunities in food & beverage operations.
The culinary school at the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts provides students an intense curriculum packed with classes designed to prepare them for a career in restaurant hospitality. Students will learn development methods that focus on the needs of today’s restaurant business including management, development, marketing, sales, & financing. Classes will also cover essential questions such as: Food Hygiene, which includes food handling and safety along with effective sanitizing procedures. Fundamentals of Nutrition will include the basics of balanced nutrition. And classes in the Culinary Arts will expose students to new beverage concepts, menu planning and execution, menu promotion, promotional strategies, and comprehensive beverage service processes.