Three Key Consumer Insights for the Food Industry

Key Insights for Your Restaurant

As a business owner, it is essential to continually learn more about the market, especially about the consumers who ultimately become your customers.

Understanding your customers' behavior involves observing their patterns:

• Who shops at your business?
• What do they buy?
• How do they buy?
• When do they buy?
• And why do they buy?

At Leal, we want to share three key insights into consumer behavior in the food industry. These insights will be highly useful for your marketing and sales plan, whether you own a restaurant, café, bakery, or similar establishment.

1. More People Are Eating Out

According to a study conducted by Nielsen, a leading consumer measurement company, 38% of Colombians eat out one or more times per week, and this percentage is increasing.

What does this mean?
Dining out is no longer reserved for special occasions. This behavior is becoming a way of life due to its convenience and practicality.

Restaurants, cafés, and bakeries generate over a million jobs in Colombia, making it one of the most active sectors in the national economy. However, it’s also a highly competitive sector, requiring extra effort to offer high-quality products for every time of the day that are easy to consume and reasonably priced.

In recent years, eating has evolved into a biopsychosocial process, where individual behavior is heavily influenced by the social references around them.

As a brand, aim to engage your customers' senses to leave a strong and memorable impression. Focus on the emotions and feelings that arise when they visit your business or place an order, as well as the curiosity your brand sparks in consumers.

2. More People Are Seeking Healthier Menus

One of the most significant shifts over the past 10 years is the trend toward a healthier lifestyle. Four out of ten Colombians are switching to the healthier version of their favorite product.

A complete, balanced, sufficient, and diverse diet is increasingly important for your customers—not only to energize their daily activities but also to protect their body and mind from short-, medium-, and long-term illnesses.

Always include one or two healthy options on your menu, and ensure these options are accompanied by environmentally friendly packaging. Explore the smart packaging solutions available and communicate a message of social responsibility through your brand.

3. Information Technology is Gaining Importance

As people age, they tend to spend more on improving their homes, health, entertainment, and dining out. At the same time, they develop a greater appreciation for excellent quality in both the products and services they acquire, as well as the information they receive.

Choosing a restaurant is no longer based solely on quality, price, or location. Technology, such as the ability to explore a restaurant and read reviews, has generated new behaviors that influence dining decisions.

For this reason, the information you share with your customers is of immense value to your business. It is crucial to:

• Keep your social media platforms updated.
• Always respond to reviews and comments.
• Explore all options for interacting with your customers.

Platforms like the one offered by Leal are ideal for understanding customer experiences and purchasing behaviors at your business. Use this information to communicate effectively with your customers and improve your company’s processes.

Make it as easy as possible for your customers to access your products through your own delivery service or dedicated platforms. Share your digital menu across various communication channels or your customers’ preferred platforms.

Enrich the Customer Experience

Always aim to enhance your customers’ experience. Beyond offering an excellent menu, provide options for entertainment or social relaxation. Make visiting your restaurant or consuming your products an unforgettable experience.

If you want to implement effective strategies based on these consumer insights, it’s also essential to consider your customers’ demographic and transactional behavior data. The goal is to adapt to market changes without losing your essence.

Discover the different solutions Leal offers to consolidate your database and maximize its value. With this, you can communicate assertively with your customers and become part of the largest loyalty network in the country.

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