With the emergence of new business and customer segments in today’s rapidly changing markets, fragmentation is inevitable, given the proliferation of each segment’s own distinct needs and preferences. In other words, now more than ever, a multitude of customers are choosing among an abundance of products and services provided by an increasing number of vendors.Market fragmentation in itself is not necessarily...

Written by SmartSense | April 18, 2024 | Supply Chain

Successful food retailing is a complex operation that starts long before product arrives at the store. For instance, a pivotal point in this process is the transfer of product from transport vehicles to a grocer’s warehouse. Why? Because temperature-sensitive foods deteriorate quickly if not stored promptly in refrigerated areas upon delivery.Of course, the flow of food across the supply chain encompasses a...

Written by SmartSense | March 26, 2024 | Food Safety, HACCP, FSMA, Supply Chain, Grocery, Food Service

In the United States alone, the FDA estimates that 30%–40% of the food supply is wasted. That’s approximately 35 million tons annually. Or on a more human scale, that’s 219 pounds of waste per person each year.With record-high inflation rates increasing the potential for an economic recession, today’s consumers simply can’t afford to discard one-third of the food they purchase. Considering that global food prices...

Written by SmartSense | April 13, 2023 | Food Safety, Supply Chain, Grocery, Food Service

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of the food service industry faster than anyone had ever predicted. Adoption of IoT technologies, such as remote sensors, analytical software, and omnichannel delivery platforms have been immensely helpful to alleviate the ongoing customer behavior changes, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. That’s all great news. But there’s still more we...

Written by SmartSense | February 17, 2022 | Food Safety, Supply Chain, Food Service

While the nation transitions into months of cooler weather we only need to look back to the previous summer to acknowledge that our world continues to get much warmer with July 2021 being the hottest month ever recorded. On-the-job illness related to the lack of facility heat index monitoring is now as threatening as the COVID-19 pandemic to the health and safety of food service workers.

Written by SmartSense | November 11, 2021 | Food Safety, Supply Chain

The COVID-19 crisis has radically altered the largest global retail category, food and beverage, and the post-pandemic market may very well prove to be the historic tipping point in the digital transformation of the grocery sector.

Written by SmartSense | September 20, 2021 | Food Safety, Supply Chain, Grocery