In the modern world, eating habits aren’t as simple as they used to be. Dietary restrictions— imposed by health concerns or moral beliefs—dictate the food purchases of a variety of populations, making pleasing customers an increasingly tricky battle for operators. Vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, kosher eaters and so on: What do you offer them? And how?
Here are some great places to start when catering to alternative eaters.
Clean Cut
You can’t go wrong with freshness. Build your menu and product offering around simple, whole foods and quality ingredients. That alone is a big umbrella.
Customization
Allow your customers the flexibility to customize the foods they purchase as much as possible. Offer gluten-free buns and Portobello mushrooms instead of bacon, with soy milkshakes for dessert. Don’t make your alternatives an afterthought. Try them, test them and think them through. Your customers will feel valued if you do.
Find Their Fingertips
Figure out where customers are when cravings hit and strategically place the products they’re after. Don’t just quarantine kosher foods or dairy alternatives to their own section at the back of the cooler door. Instead, integrate these products into every area of the store based on customer flow.
Convenience Packaging
People with alternative eating habits are subject to the same convenience impulses as the rest of us. Consider shelving items such as plant-based beverages, dairy-free nut-milk yogurts and gluten-free snacks in grab-and-go packaging, rather than just bigger, stock-up sizes mid-aisle.
They’re Buying It
Use in-store marketing to sing the praises of alternative foods. You may be able to witness conversion to these products, which typically sit at higher price points, when their positive properties appeal to new users. The virtues of dairy alternatives such as soy, almond and newly popular cashew milk can be promoted in-store as well as on packaging.
Cater to a Niche
Research your clientele or just get to know them informally. Is there a large Jewish population in your neighborhood? Zero in on kosher products. Is there a strong environmentally conscious presence in your area? Partner with local organic farms. Is your store on a popular jogging route? Stock up on plant-based water alternatives like coconut and cacti water.
This post is sponsored by DanoneWave Away From Home