Feeding Your Sales Funnel: Strategies for Generating Leads in the Food Industry

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September 22, 2023

In the fast-paced and ever-changing food sector, creating a steady supply of high-quality leads is critical to development and profitability. Having a comprehensive sales funnel loaded with potential consumers is critical whether you’re a restaurateur, food manufacturer, distributor, or supplier.

Leverage the Power of Social Media

In an age where food photos dominate social feeds, harnessing the potential of platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok is a must. Share visually appealing content showcasing your food products, restaurant dishes, or culinary expertise. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and hosting interactive contests or challenges.

Create and Share Mouthwatering Content

Content marketing can be a game-changer in the food industry. Regularly publish blog posts, recipes, cooking tips, and videos that resonate with your target audience. Share your passion for food and provide value by addressing common culinary questions or challenges.

Collaborate with Influencers

Partnering with food influencers can significantly expand your reach. These influencers often have a dedicated following who trust their recommendations. Invite them to review your products or dine at your restaurant. Their endorsement can drive interested customers your way.

Optimize Your Website for Local Search

For restaurants and local food businesses, local search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial. Ensure that your website is optimized for local keywords, and create a Google My Business profile. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, which can boost your visibility in local search results.

Attend Food and Trade Shows

Participating in food and trade shows provides an excellent opportunity to showcase your products and network with industry professionals. These events can be a goldmine for generating B2B leads, especially if you’re a supplier or distributor.

Offer Tastings and Samples

For food producers and manufacturers, offering tastings and samples can be an effective way to introduce potential customers to your products. Attend farmers’ markets, food festivals, and local events to engage with your target audience directly.

Email Marketing and Loyalty Programs

Build a database of customer email addresses and use email marketing to nurture leads. Offer exclusive discounts, promotions, and loyalty programs to incentivize repeat business. Personalize your emails to make customers feel valued.

In the competitive food industry, generating leads is a continuous process that requires creativity, dedication, and a deep understanding of your target audience. By leveraging the power of social media, content marketing, influencers, local SEO, and more, you can fill your sales funnel with potential customers who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer. Remember, the goal isn’t just to gain leads but to convert them into loyal patrons who savor your food and become advocates for your brand, ultimately leading to long-term success in the food business.

Crafting the Perfect Sales Journey: Steps to Design Your Product’s Sales Process

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September 22, 2023

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A well-crafted sales process is like a finely tuned machine in the business world; it can take a potential consumer from first awareness to a pleased, devoted champion of your company. Creating the ideal sales journey is a deliberate endeavor that may make or break your product’s success.

Know Your Customer Inside Out

Before you can design an effective sales journey, you must have an intimate understanding of your target audience. What are their pain points, desires, and purchasing behavior? Conduct thorough market research and create buyer personas to guide your efforts. The better you know your customers, the more tailored and successful your sales process will be.

Map Out the Customer Journey

Visualize the path your customers take from the moment they become aware of your product to the point of purchase and beyond. Identify touchpoints and interactions they have with your brand. This mapping exercise provides a clear blueprint for your sales process and highlights areas that need improvement or enhancement.

Create a Consistent Brand Experience

Consistency is key. Ensure that every interaction a customer has with your brand, be it through your website, social media, or sales team, aligns with your brand’s values and messaging. A cohesive brand experience builds trust and credibility.

Craft Compelling Content

Content marketing is a powerful tool in the sales journey. Create high-quality content that educates, informs, and engages your audience. From blog posts and videos to ebooks and webinars, offer valuable resources that guide potential customers toward a purchasing decision.

Implement a CRM System

A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is invaluable for managing and nurturing leads. It allows you to track interactions, set reminders, and automate follow-up processes. This not only saves time but also ensures no potential customer falls through the cracks.

Train and Empower Your Sales Team

Invest in training and development for your sales team. Equip them with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively communicate your product’s value proposition and address customer concerns. Empowered salespeople build stronger customer relationships.

Monitor, Measure, and Iterate

Continuously monitor your sales process’s performance. Use analytics to track conversion rates, identify bottlenecks, and assess the effectiveness of your strategies. Based on these insights, be prepared to adapt and refine your sales journey as needed.

Case Study: Amazon

Amazon’s sales journey is a prime example of excellence. They have perfected the art of personalized recommendations based on user behavior, making the purchasing process effortless and enjoyable. Their seamless checkout process, backed by robust customer reviews and quick shipping options, has created a loyal customer base that keeps coming back.

Designing the perfect sales journey for your product is an ongoing endeavor that requires a deep understanding of your customers, a commitment to consistency, and a willingness to adapt. By following these steps and learning from successful examples like Amazon, you can craft a sales process that not only converts leads into customers but also nurtures lasting relationships. Remember, a well-crafted sales journey isn’t just about making a sale; it’s about creating satisfied customers who become brand advocates, driving sustained success for your business.

Joe Coffee teams up with NotCo to elevate coffee experience with NotMilk Barista

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September 21, 2023

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Joe Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster headquartered in New York, has joined forces with NotCo, a Chilean food tech company, to substitute their almond milk with NotCo’s Barista plant-based milk, known as NotMilk.

NotCo announced that this collaboration signifies the debut of NotMilk Barista’s presence in U.S. coffeehouses.

At Joe Coffee’s various New York City locations, they have opted to utilize the rich and creamy NotMilk Barista as a replacement for almond milk on their menus.

NotCo mentioned that their fresh plant-based milk is crafted from a combination of chickpeas and oats. This offers customers a low-sugar choice and a creamier, frothier plant-based substitute to enhance their Joe Coffee experience.

The foam-friendly and exceptionally smooth NotMilk Barista is reputed to excel in both hot and cold foaming, making it perfect for creating velvety textures. Additionally, it exhibits impressive stability when used for crafting intricate latte art designs.

NotCo CEO and Founder Matias Muchnick said, “NotMilk Barista allows plant-based coffee lovers the opportunity to enjoy the full, frothy latte experience without compromising on taste, look, feel and functionality.

“Joining hands with Joe Coffee as our initial outlet allows us to give consumers the most elevated, plant-based coffee experience – one that not only tastes better but is better for the planet.”

NotCo is actively seeking to broaden its alternative protein ventures by forming strategic partnerships with major food chains such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Burger King, Starbucks, and Papa John’s. In addition to these partnerships, NotCo has also joined forces with Cafe Daily Provisions, a New York-based establishment owned by Danny Meyer.

Shake Shack recently collaborated with NotCo to introduce a new line of non-dairy chocolate shake and non-dairy frozen chocolate custard in the US, using NotMilk as a key ingredient.

The food technology company offers its AI platform, Giuseppe, through its Business-to-Business (B2B) Unit to assist other Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands in curating their innovations.

Ferrero unveils cutting-edge 45,000-square-foot innovation center in North America

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September 21, 2023

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Ferrero North America, a division of the Ferrero Group, recently unveiled its brand-new Innovation Center and Research & Development Labs in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The recently inaugurated 45,000-square-foot facility serves as a unifying hub for Ferrero’s R&D teams from across the United States. It hosts dedicated teams working on brands such as Keebler, Famous Amos, Mother’s, Fannie May, and other brands within the Ferrero portfolio, comprising a workforce of over 150 employees.

Ferrero has stated that the new research and development center will be utilized for the creation of fresh cookies and other delectable treats.

Alanna Cotton, president and chief business officer of Ferrero North America, said, “Our new Innovation Center and R&D Labs here in Chicago reflect Ferrero’s rich heritage and will foster the creativity and culture that Ferrero known for around the world. Investments like this help us create high-quality, innovative products that will become a special part of Americans’ lives and further drive category growth in confections, cookies and beyond.”

This investment marks an extension of Ferrero’s presence in Illinois, a state where the company is already engaged in the production of Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Keebler, Crunch, 100 Grand, and various other products. Moreover, Ferrero is presently in the process of constructing a new chocolate processing plant and a Kinder Bueno production facility in Bloomington, Illinois.

Chicago’s Mayor, Brandon Johnson, commented, “Chicago’s innovation is not only propelling the growth of iconic global brands like Keebler, Famous Amos and Fannie May, but it’s also cementing our city’s reputation as a prime destination for the world’s best talent and businesses. Congratulations to the Ferrero team on this remarkable achievement.”

Zomato introduces new feature allowing customers to tip kitchen staff

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September 21, 2023

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Zomato, the food ordering and delivery platform, has introduced a feature on its platform, ‘Tips for the Kitchen Staff,’ enabling customers to express their gratitude to the restaurant’s kitchen staff.

The entire tip amount, minus any applicable tax deductions, will be credited to restaurants for distribution among their staff, contingent upon restaurant management signing a pledge to allocate the full sum to their employees.

Building on the success of a 2018 initiative that allowed customers to tip delivery partners, the ‘Tips for the Kitchen Staff’ feature is a similar endeavor driven by feedback from Zomato’s restaurant partner network. Through this feature, Zomato strives to facilitate customer recognition of the hard work, skill, and creativity of restaurant kitchen staff.

Rakesh Ranjan, chief executive officer, food delivery, Zomato says, “Our customers love to show appreciation for the food our restaurant partners prepare for them, every time they order. The introduction of ‘Tips for the kitchen staff’ feature will enable our customers to seamlessly share their love and gratitude for their food deliveries, an option that was limited to traditional dining-in experience until now. We are hopeful this new feature will enrich the food delivery experience for both our restaurant partners and customers.”

Zomato customers have the opportunity to express their gratitude for the dedicated kitchen staff by providing a tip after rating their order with 4 or 5 stars. Additionally, the option to tip the kitchen team is conveniently accessible on the live order tracking page immediately after they place an order. Zomato offers predefined percentage options for tipping, ranging from 3% to 10% of the total item value. Customers also have the flexibility to enter a custom tip amount, as long as it falls within a specified maximum limit.

For restaurant partners, tracking these tips has been made straightforward. They can monitor tips through their weekly payouts and statement of account on the Zomato merchant app or web dashboard. The ‘Tips for the Kitchen Staff’ feature is now active on the Zomato platform, allowing customers to acknowledge and reward the hardworking kitchen teams behind their delicious meals.

Mensa Brands’ Dennis Lingo expands into women’s fashion with DL Woman

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September 21, 2023

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Dennis Lingo, a subsidiary of Mensa Brands, is taking an exciting leap into the world of women’s fashion with the introduction of DL Woman. This strategic expansion comes on the heels of the brand’s successful entry into the Lifestyle, Travel, and Accessories (LTA) markets, firmly establishing itself as the go-to destination for those seeking quality and convenience.

DL Woman pays homage to the modern woman, acknowledging her adeptness at maneuvering life’s intricacies, embracing challenges, and celebrating victories with a touch of sophistication. The objective is to empower her with adaptable attire that seamlessly transitions from the professional domain to her cherished moments outside the workplace. This curated collection encompasses a diverse range of dresses, tops, shirts, and bottoms. Those interested can browse and purchase these offerings on both dennislingo.com and Myntra, where prices begin at INR 799.

DL’s Lifestyle, Travel, and Accessories range showcases a remarkable assortment of products, spanning backpacks, both plush and durable luggage choices, wallets, belts, socks, gift sets, and travel organizers.

The brand’s vision for these new inclusions emphasizes a dedication to providing unique, unparalleled designs at affordable prices. This guarantees that customers receive not only exceptional product quality but also outstanding value across all product categories.

Ananth Narayanan, Founder and CEO of Mensa Brands said, “Dennis Lingo is evolving into a comprehensive lifestyle brand, introducing a diverse range of offerings encompassing women’s fashion, lifestyle products, accessories, travel essentials, and more. Our vision is to provide individuals with a holistic experience that transcends mere fashion. We are dedicated to empowering people to embrace every facet of their lives with confidence and style, from their clothing choices to their travel escapades.”

Mensa Brands’ acquisition of Dennis Lingo, a beloved men’s casual wear brand, nearly two years ago, signaled the beginning of an extraordinary growth journey. During this time, the brand has achieved an impressive sixfold increase in performance while consistently maintaining a positive EBITDA. With a strong commitment to achieving omnichannel excellence, their journey commenced with the opening of their inaugural store in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, back in May. Excitingly, they are delighted to announce that their second store is set to make its debut in Hyderabad this coming October.

Reliance Retail expands presence with two new Yousta stores in Kerala and Chhattisgarh

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September 21, 2023

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Reliance Retail recently opened two new Yousta stores this month: one in Edappal, Kerala, and the other in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, as confirmed by a company official’s social media posts.

“YOUSTA – You absolute star Store no 2 – Bilaspur,” Ramyaraj Rath, Assistant Vice President – Head of Inventory Management FnL and Merchandise planning for B2B at Reliance Retail wrote on Linkedin.

“YOUSTA – Store no 3. God’s own country – Edappal. You absolute star,” Rath wrote in a separate LinkedIn post while sharing a video of the store.

On 16th September, the Bilaspur store became the brand’s second establishment in the country, and on 19th September, the Edappal store marked the third. The first Yousta store opened its doors on 24th August at Sahara Mall, Hyderabad.

Reliance intends to launch 200-250 stores in the value retail format in the forthcoming years, positioning itself for direct competition with Tata Group’s Zudio chain.

Yousta primarily focuses on the youth demographic and offers products within the price range of INR 499 to INR 999.

The Yousta stores are renowned for their “starring now” section, featuring the latest fashion selections. Additionally, you can also find the Yousta collection available for purchase on Ajio and JioMart.

Besides its physical stores, the Yousta range can be conveniently accessed online through Ajio and JioMart.

Reliance Retail Limited operates as a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), which serves as the parent company for all retail entities within the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) group. Together with RRL and various other subsidiaries and affiliates under RRVL, they manage a comprehensive omnichannel network comprising more than 18,500 stores and digital commerce platforms across various categories, including grocery, consumer electronics, fashion & lifestyle, and pharmaceuticals.

Through its New Commerce initiative, RRVL has established partnerships with more than 3 million merchants. Reliance Retail Limited holds the distinction of being the sole Indian retailer featured in the global Top 100 and stands as one of the rapidly expanding retailers on a global scale, according to Deloitte’s Global Powers of Retailing 2023 report.

For the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023, RRVL disclosed a consolidated turnover of INR 260,364 crore (equivalent to $ 31.7 billion) and recorded a net profit of INR 9,181 crore (approximately $ 1.1 billion).

Unilever revives sale of non-core beauty brands, enlists Morgan Stanley and Evercore for major divestiture effort

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September 21, 2023

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Unilever Plc has enlisted the services of investment banking firms Morgan Stanley and Evercore Inc to initiate the sale of a collection of non-core beauty and personal care brands, among them Q-Tips and Impulse. This marks a revival of their previous attempt, which was shelved two years ago, as reported by individuals familiar with the situation.

The resurgence of the sales initiative, undisclosed until now, marks the inaugural significant action by Hein Schumacher, who assumed the role of Unilever’s CEO in July. His primary objective is to streamline the company’s operations as it navigates the challenges posed by inflation.

The brand collection, identified as Elida Beauty, encompasses a range that features Caress, TIGI, Timotei, Monsavon, St. Ives, Zwitsal, Ponds, Brut, Moussel, Alberto Balsam, and Matey. Sources indicate that Elida Beauty recorded approximately $760 million in revenue during the year 2022.

In 2021, Unilever collaborated with Credit Suisse to initiate the divestiture of Elida. However, later that same year, they halted the process. This decision came about because other consumer companies selectively picked certain brands for sale, resulting in offers that fell short of Unilever’s anticipated valuation, as per insider sources.

Subsequently, Unilever has undertaken efforts to transform Elida into a self-sustaining entity, one that could potentially attract the interest of private equity firms as a whole, sources disclosed. In this regard, Morgan Stanley and Evercore have reached out to various parties to assess their interest in acquiring Elida, a deal that could potentially be valued in the billions, according to the sources.

The individuals familiar with the matter chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the information. Unilever, Morgan Stanley, and Evercore have opted not to provide any comments on the subject.

For approximately two years, the consumer goods sector has grappled with escalating expenses, spanning items such as sunflower oil, shipping, packaging, and grains, all of which have seen rising costs. In response to these challenges, Unilever, renowned for products like Dove soap and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, is reassessing its collection of non-core assets that could be divested to generate additional funds.

In the second quarter, Unilever exceeded expectations for underlying sales growth by implementing price increases to counteract elevated costs. Additionally, the company has contemplated the potential sale of certain U.S. ice cream brands, which may include Klondike and Breyers.

French retailers demand 2%-5% price reduction from food manufacturers

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September 21, 2023

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consumer goods shopping — (Representative Image)

During a roundtable discussion with executives, the head of retailer Les Mousquetaires informed lawmakers that supermarket conglomerates in France may request reductions in prices ranging from 2% to 5% from food manufacturers in their forthcoming annual negotiations.

French retailers have voiced their disapproval of price increases by consumer goods giants such as Unilever and Nestle, asserting that these hikes lack justification. Simultaneously, the government has exerted pressure on these consumer goods manufacturers to reduce their prices.

According to Les Mousquetaires President Thierry Cotillard, the decreased costs of raw materials and energy translate to lower production expenses for food and other consumer goods. Therefore, the prices established during negotiations should align with these cost reductions.

“We should probably be able to demand that the big (consumer goods) groups cut prices by between 2% and 5%,” he said.

Cotillard explained that their operations in Portugal, operating under the banner of Os Mosqueteiros, have successfully negotiated reduced prices with consumer goods companies. This success is attributed to the fact that price discussions in Portugal are not confined to an annual timeframe.

“Our request, to be able to negotiate throughout the year like our friends in Portugal and Spain, strikes us as perfectly legitimate,” said Cotillard.

France, which currently enforces regulations specifying an annual timeframe for price negotiations, spanning from December 1 to March 1, is contemplating a legislation change that would advance these negotiations. The objective is to initiate discussions promptly and conclude them by January 15th.

“We are asking you, in the relationship we have with consumer goods groups, to trust us and to let us negotiate,” Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard told lawmakers.

Lawmakers in a parliamentary committee on economic affairs also posed questions to Systeme U CEO Dominique Schelcher and E Leclerc co-president Philippe Michaud.

Numerous lawmakers raised inquiries with the executives concerning purchasing alliances in Europe, a strategy employed by some supermarkets to collectively negotiate with consumer goods manufacturers. They inquired whether these alliances enable retailers to circumvent French pricing regulations. France’s Senate had previously highlighted in a report that such alliances provide a means for retailers to bypass French legal requirements.

Michaud refuted the notion that buying alliances enable retailers to sidestep French legal regulations.

“We buy as a group, not to evade any law but in order to have sufficient clout against manufacturers,” he said.

Setting a new wellness standard: The Good Stuff launches supplements in India, aims for global presence

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September 21, 2023

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In a modern era consumed by hectic routines and swift-paced existences, where vital nutrients are easily overlooked, The Good Stuff stands as a symbol of well-being. Established in 2019, this pioneering health and wellness brand transcends mere supplement provision, embodying a delightful and enriching partner in your pursuit of improved health. Dedicated to harmonizing nature’s bounties with human aspirations, The Good Stuff isn’t just a supplement source—it’s a joyful advocate on your path to enhanced wellness, leaving a profound imprint on lives throughout India.

Committed to enhancing the world of wellness, The Good Stuff presents an exclusive range of products crafted to add excitement and accessibility to well-being. When the whirlwind of life leaves you seeking nutrition, the Wholesome Meal steps in as a convenient powdered meal—a 400-calorie delight made from genuine, wholesome ingredients—ready to rescue you wherever you are. The kicker? It’s not just a lifesaver; it’s 100% vegan, devoid of sugar and gluten, and free from pesky preservatives. Available in two delectable flavors, vanilla and chocolate.

The Good Stuff’s flagship offerings are designed to supply essential nutrients vital for optimal health. Enter Supply6 360—a superhero in your daily wellness routine. Meticulously crafted with care and boasting 63+ whole food plant-based ingredients, it’s your go-to source for probiotics, delivering a whopping 3 billion CFU to give your gut the TLC it deserves. Not to mention, it generously fulfills 85% of your daily vitamin D and B12 needs.

Then there’s Better Nutrition, the brand’s specialized line of functional foods tailored to meet distinct health goals. A star of this show is the “Flawless Skin Gummies”—India’s very own vegetarian collagen peptide gummies infused with the goodness of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid.

Vaibhav Bhandari, Co-Founder & CEO of The Good Stuff said, “The Good Stuff is not just about the products; it’s about empowering you to lead a healthier, happier life, whether one is aiming to live healthier, establish a business empire, or push limits as an athlete. Our products nourish your body to power through the hard days and help you achieve more every day. Creating a joyous harmony between the bountiful treasures of the natural world and the unending spirit of human ambition.”

“The brand caters to health-conscious individuals, aged 25 to 55, who are dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making informed choices about their nutrition and overall well-being”, says Rahul Jacob, Co-Founder & COO of The Good Stuff.

Looking ahead, The Good Stuff is setting its sights on a bold journey into international markets. Along this exciting trajectory, the brand is gearing up to introduce a fresh and enticing product line, encompassing a variety of snacks and gels. These additions are aimed at enhancing the product offerings, ensuring they align with the evolving needs of their esteemed customers. The convenience of acquiring The Good Stuff’s range is just a click away, available through their website and popular platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Cred.

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