More than 10,000 industry attendees descended on Anaheim, CA in early June to interact with over 800 exhibitors. With these staggering attendance numbers, the IDDBA show is the largest industry-only show for dairy, deli, bakery, and foodservice in the U.S.
Going into the show, the IDDBA announced the five guiding trends that will drive 2023 and beyond:
- Whole Health, Whole Self, Whole Heart
- Consumer Defined Convenience
- ABCs of ESG
- Worth the Value
- Innovation and Technology
Now that the dust has settled, we at DecisionNext have had some time to compile our thoughts on the most popular issues that themed this year’s IDDBA event. Here are the topics that stood out to us:
Automation
The post-Covid era has exposed one of the most pressing issues facing operators in the foodservice industry — labor. Or, more specifically, the lack of it.
Front and center were fully automated solutions from cake decorating; to pizza assembly; to bread baking (if you have a minute, you should check out The Breadbot, a machine capable of making a fresh loaf of bread fully autonomously every 6 minutes). And if coffee is your vice, then fear not. The automated barista is already here (tattoos and piercings not included).
A recent QSR Online article on the shortage of Foodservice labor highlighted that of the 11MM job vacancies in the U.S., over 10% of them are in the foodservice industry.* It is clear that the industry is aggressively working to address this gap. So, it’s no surprise that automation and stretching the available workforce in order to serve customers was a core theme on the show floor.
*QSR Online – Labor Shortages for Restaurants: A Look at A Long-Term Solution, December, 2022
Snacking & Convenience
As consumers’ appetites for multiple “mini meals” throughout the day increases, the industry has embraced the notion that the traditional three meals formula is just not where the growth is. In the U.S. currently more than 90% of adults report eating one or more snacks in a given day, with an average between 1.2 and 3 per day.*
* USDA Ag Research Service, June, 2022
Commuting, popularity of the Keto diet, veganism, intermittent fasting, and asynchronous family schedules have placed a premium on variety and food availability. This year’s show highlighted just how far we’ve come, and even where we might be headed in the future.
Protein consumption is finding its way into the domain of traditionally grain-based snack items such as crackers. Packing protein into everything convenient was prevalent throughout the show floor. Adventurous palates are gravitating to internationally-tinged flavors and some not-so-common delights, such as nutrient-dense edible insects. Ever tried Scorpion? Thousands did at this year’s IDDBA Show.
Entertaining
With the aforementioned labor issues at foodservice and higher cost of living contributing to changes in consumer behavior, one trend that sits in the wheelhouse of the IDDBA membership is in-home entertaining.
IHA’s 2023 At-Home Entertaining Survey found that 82% of consumers expect to entertain in their homes at the same, or increased frequency in 2023. Thirty-five percent expect to entertain in their home more often or much more often.
* IHA, 2023
So it’s not surprising that the industry has responded in force, with Charcuterie leading the way in the meat and cheese segments of the business. Artfully crafted pre-portioned cuts of meat and cheese on impressive slabs of wood and tile was on full display. There was no shortage of consumer-ready options to make in-home entertaining more convenient and approachable for the average consumer.
Technology and Innovation
In addition to robots and the aforementioned automation on display, leveraging technology in order to move at the speed of today’s consumer has placed a premium on getting it all right in real time.
In-store merchandising, preparation techniques, and innovation were all on display as speakers drilled into the insights driving consumer decisions and market dynamics. The IDDBA What’s In Store Live Workshop showed that integrated data from fresh sales and shopper buying patterns point to continued growth in the Deli, Dairy, and Bakery segments.
Other key highlights in this segment include the importance of frictionless customer experience and interactive ordering technology.
Traditionally, food inflation often tempts retailers to focus on winning on price alone. New and developing technologies have the potential to alleviate some of the pressure, as highlighted in the seminar Through the Stormy Seas: The Consumer Seascape.
Conclusion
Another fantastic display of knowledge and how to convert insights into action at this year’s show. Circle June 9-11, 2024 on your calendar and see how things will progress at next year’s show in Houston, TX.
