Foodservice Trends 2022
We are excited to have you back with us for another edition of the Coverpoint foodservice trends. Like many things in the past 18 months, our trends book has also changed. Read on below to find out more.
The Crystal Ball
The last 18 months were a time of turmoil and transition and, whilst our world begins to stabilise again, we want to take a look at what is still changing, why and what that might mean for our clients.
We have decided to dive a little deeper than usual this year and share our insight by releasing a series of mini stories each week over the first few months of 2022. As always, the topics include key drivers in the foodservice industry and transcend across sectors and geographies.
Before we jump feet first into “predicting” what to keep an eye on in 2022 however, we want to take a moment to reflect. Our 2021 & beyond book was written in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, a time of unpredicted change and we tried to focus on those trends that would survive the immediate reaction to the crisis. Did we get it right?
According to an EY survey, in 2021 30% of people were expected to reappraise the things they value most and not take certain things for granted. A “shock to loyalty” the experts at McKinsey called it.
Apart from budgetary consequences, this “Shift in Values” as we described it in our trends, lead to a greater focus on planetary, mental and physical Wellness and as the year played out, we were excited to see foodservice operators adapting this, like industry giant Compass group, who announced their commitment to becoming a net zero operation by 2030.
Another trend we mentioned was Portfolio Change - the need (in light of new consumer habits) to rethink what was being offered, how and where. Examples of this include the Canadian fast casual restaurant franchise Freshii, which purchased Natura Market ECommerce Inc., an online health and wellness retailer.
No-one can argue the impact that working from home has had on, well, everything! In 2020, 46% of those working from home said they would like to continue to do so. In 2021, 62% of US employees worked remotely at least occasionally (OwlLabs).
As a result, when we do leave our bubble, we want it to really be worth it and we also look for new ways of connecting with the outside. In response, companies like AT&T created a Virtual Reality Island with its own cinema.
But the trend which really surpassed expectations is foodservice delivery. Critics did not want to believe that it would maintain momentum, but it continues to grow. “Global installs of food delivery apps increased by 25% in 2020 and are up by a further 21% so far in 2021” (Nov 2021, Adjust).
As the name suggests, our Trends book 2021 & beyond remains current and so we have kept it online for you here. But now, its time to look ahead at 2022, luckily this time with a little less apprehension and much more optimism.
Go here https://www.coverpoint.co.uk/ to download our full 2022 foodservice trends now.