So what does currently do for food Retailers?

Market and Product Research

Market and product research are among the most popular uses of the Internet by the food industry and many other industries.  Think for a moment about the ways that you use the Internet to conduct research. You can find:            

• Demographics of store regions
• Potential customer base for specialty foods
• New products and those that customers request
• New inputs for food manufacturing
  
  
  

Knowing Your Competition

If the Competition’s Online…

Who specifically is your competition?  For grocers, it might be another local grocery, one of the national chains – Kroger, Wal-Mart; it might be the new dollar store that carries food; or area convenience stores.  For a direct food marketer, it more likely is another local direct marketer or a distant supplier of a competitive product. Food professionals also use technology to keep up with their completion. This is another form of online research.

Think about your competitive advantage against each competitor. Think about their advantages against you.  Where will you compete or not bother to compete? On meat quality?  On price?  On selection?  On novelty value? Take your time to look-up your competition and see what they are offering.

There is a lot that you can learn about what you do and don’t want from checking out competitors who are already online and doing what you’re considering trying.

Before you begin searching out competition, beginning product searches and looking at Web site design. Take an  timeout and check out tips on how to conduct good online searches.