F&B retailers emphasize technology’s role moving forward

F&B retailers emphasize technology’s role in moving forward

February 19,2019 0 Rita Ghantous

Gulfood 2019

Supermarkets and hypermarkets must capitalize on technological developments and create the perfect mix of instore and online offerings to meet consumer demand to remain relevant. That is the message from Ashraf Ali M.A, LuLu Group International Executive Director. This is a robust new conference series exploring the latest challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Speaking ahead of his participation in a panel discussion ‘Revolutionizing Retail for the Changing Consumer’, Ali believes retailers should prioritize the convenience of customers as they seek to service an estimated one million extra consumers by 2030.

“There will come a day when the one-store format won’t fit all the lifestyle preferences of your customer base. Segmentation and customization are required to ensure convenience whether online shopping or the brick-and-mortar store. Innovative formats, such as self-service check-out counters, cashless and card payment options, smart trolleys, click and collect on, virtual marketing and augmented reality, all must be embraced so consumers benefit from a world-class shopping experience at the most convenient format,” Ali explained

Quick adaption

Shifting consumer choices are driving retailers to think more about their offering, with the Gulfood Global Industry Outlook Report 2018 stating: “For middle to premium consumers, a shift to local and specialist stores is driving sales of premium, natural and organic foods, allowing traditional and independent grocers to maintain their market share at 26 percent globally. All leading global retailers have also adopted omnichannel approaches to the market, with large investment establishing a strong presence in mobile retailing.”

Gulfood 2019 features

The summit is one of eight new features integrated into Gulfood, which this year celebrates its 24th edition. The event takes up more than 1,000,000 square feet with 5,000 exhibitors promoting a vast range of new products, concepts and technologies. The organizers expect this year’s gathering to attract upwards of 98,000 attendees from 198 countries.

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About author

Rita Ghantous

Publication Executive

Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.