-
Nutrition initiatives, educators aim to make food deserts history
LeRon L. Barton Food & BeverageEating the proper foods, drinking plenty of water, and taking the correct vitamins are incredibly important to survival. These take on greater importance when children are involved. Having access to healthy foods is a very important component to this. Grocery stores that sell vegetables and fruits are necessary to aid kids and teenagers as they grow up. Unfortunately, in many communities, nutritious food options are scarce, creating challenges for finding balanced meals. These areas are called food deserts.
-
Is customized pricing more effective than a national strategy?
Terri Williams RetailPricing can vary as much as opinions. Sometimes, companies sell identical goods at different prices in different parts of the country. But is this the best approach, or should retailers follow a national pricing strategy? And what factors should be considered when determining a pricing strategy? "In theory, it is always more profitable to implement price differentiation strategies if possible," according to Fei Gao, an assistant professor of operations and decision technologies at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
-
US farm populations continue to decline
Scott E. Rupp Food & BeverageThe 2017 Census of Agriculture, released in early April 2019, shows that the amount of total land devoted to agricultural use continues to decline in the U.S. and the number of farms is declining. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), there were 2.04 million farms and ranches in the U.S. in 2017, down more than 3% from 2012. The agency went on to say that the amount of land devoted to agriculture declined by nearly 2% to 900.2 million acres from 914.5 million acres in 2012.
-
A food lover’s guide to Nashville
Julie Anne Wells Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementNashville is known for its status as "Music City," where country stars and historic record companies abound. But it’s also home to several unique food traditions that will offer visitors a true taste of Tennessee. The best vacations are full of new experiences, and that includes the cuisine! Here's a food lover's guide that will introduce your taste buds to Nashville.
-
Fresh food purchases, delivery apps cause worry for traditional grocers
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageE-commerce and Amazon have disrupted the grocery business, and the wave of changes has yet to die down. A recent report released by Wolfe Research says that pressure on grocers, especially conventional supermarkets, will intensify in the coming months. An interesting find from the report is that fresh food purchases are set to grow. But instead of benefiting grocers, it seems it will benefit e-tailers more.Y ounger consumers are making fresh-food purchases online or from mass merchandisers instead of traditional grocery brands. About 3 in 10 plan to decrease their packaged food purchases while 34% plan to purchase less frozen food.
-
Starbucks’ mobile app: Creating a venti impact in customer loyalty
Katherine Radin RetailStarbucks may have been ahead of its time in 2008 when it introduced its Starbucks Card rewards program. Encouraging coffee enthusiasts to register for a "frequent buyer" card, fans of the coffee chain found themselves drinking their way from Welcome Level through to Gold Level status. As smartphone technology improved over the years, the loyalty program went hand-in-hand with Starbucks’ mobile app and mobile ordering system. What was originally seen as a form of convenience is now inspiring retailers to hop aboard the mobile loyalty program train.
-
Are restaurant owners, managers, and consumers on the same page when it…
Linchi Kwok Food & BeverageSome big restaurant chains, such as Starbucks and McDonald's, have already taken action in responding to sustainable trends in the industry, even though a study from 2016 suggests that consumers might not want to make a concerted effort themselves to eat at a green restaurant. Do owners, managers, and consumers think alike when it comes to the green attributes that matter the most to the restaurant business? With several questions in mind, I helped conduct a study where we asked 386 consumers, 115 restaurant managers, and 80 owners in the United States to rate the importance of 12 green practices that a restaurant can undertake.
-
What’s next as Department of Defense inches forward on commissary…
Miranda Y. Brumbaugh Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityOn July 1, 2018, then-Deputy Secretary of Defense and current Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan signed legislation for a task force established to determine if the consolidation of four major entities in the commissary divisions of the military would be worth it. The task force, headed by retired Army Maj. Gen. Keith Thurgood, has completed a major report detailing its analysis. The proposed consolidation of commissaries could bring about major changes for active military and veterans alike.
-
Is Canadian retail finally on the path to redemption?
Katherine Radin RetailThe past few years have made it seem as though retailers haven't been able to catch a break in Canada. Another month, another shutdown, or so it’s seemed. Retailers and commercial landlords in the country have experienced a wild ride, with Target opening and closing; Future Shop shutting down; and Sears, Black's, and Gymboree closing — to name a few. Although some chains continue to experience financial turmoil, the dust has begun to settle, and perhaps clear, as landlords have begun to find creative ways to showcase shopping malls in a new light.
-
You don’t bring me flowers anymore: When customers turn on you
Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementOne day you’re walking on water, the best thing since sliced bread, you can do no wrong, and your customer is going to tell all their friends how wonderful your product and service are. And the next day, wham, suddenly you’re a pariah, a nobody, the worst ever, and they’re going to report you to the authorities to have your licenses revoked, have you thrown in jail, and bashed on any social media that exists. What happened? Did you change overnight? Did the other person change overnight? Did the circumstances surrounding your relationship change overnight?
All Food & Beverage Articles