The food and beverage industry is constantly evolving.

From product inception to getting it in consumers’ hands, the industry is continuously adopting new technologies to increase efficiencies.

While 2021 continued to be another year plagued by a pandemic, it established a new normal for global businesses. Here are what we anticipate will be key trends in the food and beverage industry in 2022.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a frequent buzzword across all industries, and it shows no sign of slowing down. Changes in consumer demand mean that food and beverage companies need to rethink their strategies. They must ensure their products are easily accessible, affordable, and available quickly. By using advanced technologies like machine learning and AI, your business will be able to scale up in 2022.

Direct-to-Consumer

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) is taking over as one of the top methods of selling products; 73% of consumers say they recently ordered groceries online. A successful DTC strategy has become crucial for consumer packaged goods companies as more consumers turn to online shopping during the pandemic. Demand around owning the point-of-sale will grow, in addition to the race to acquire more first-party data.

Accelerating Digitization

The pandemic saw businesses across all industries accelerating their digital strategies. More specifically, the food and beverage industry had to pivot to cater for customers who were (and still are, in some cases) homebound.

This is not a temporary trend, especially given the rise of people enjoying the work-from-home lifestyle. Ensuring that your digital offering is up to speed is key for future proofing your businesses growth strategy.

Sustainability

As consumers become better educated about where their food and drink comes from, businesses need to lean into their customers’ increased awareness and offer transparency into their processes. Maintaining a sustainable strategy is critical; however, keep long-term integrity in mind. With 32% of 16 to 24-year-olds avoiding products with environmentally harmful packaging, businesses need to put their most sustainable foot forward to retain customers.

Online Ordering Systems

With 60% of consumers ordering delivery or pickup at least once per week, you must make sure that your online ordering system is easy to use from both an internal and external perspective. Restaurants, especially, have shifted from only selling prepared food to selling meal kits and their own produce. Having your e-commerce infrastructure set up properly will boost sales and ensure customers return.

To make the most out of these trends, you must consider how your global customers will interact with your brand. You also must consider how you can serve them, no matter what language they speak.

TransPerfect has a team specialized in taking food and beverage brands global. From localizing ordering systems to ensuring a stellar digital presence, we can help you reach your business goals in 2022. Contact us to learn more.