Phil's 2016 Food Trend Forecast - Trend #7: A Delivery Shift 11/30/2015
It already feels as though you can order any food at any time and have it delivered in a flash, and that trend will only increase. One major change is that people of all age groups are willing to pay extra for that service.
While still in its infancy, Amazon, Google, Instacart and Uber are leading the way as over $500 million was invested in food delivery start-ups in 2014. On demand everything is here as meal delivery kits offer no waste, portion-controlled meals for healthier balance, more excitement and on trend recipes.
Look for 2016 to add another layer as celebrity chefs brand the offerings and consolidation begins and one or two major brands, like Blue Apron become the Amazon of meal kits. Supermarkets will begin to use driverless vehicles to deliver fresh, refrigerated, frozen and dry goods to homes. A text alert will show the vehicle location and a PIN code to open your locker and retrieve your foods. No tipping. Up next annual concierge fees like Amazon Prime and Instacart Express that include unlimited delivery fees.
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For more than 25 years, Phil Lempert, an expert analyst on consumer behavior, marketing trends, new products and the changing retail landscape, has identified and explained impending trends to consumers and some of the most prestigious companies worldwide. Known as The Supermarket Guru, Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends, and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions.