WE ARE OPENING UP! – CONTINUE WITH THE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES – STORYTELLING – MARKETING ADVICE FOR UK FOOD, DRINK AND HOSPITALITY SECTORS.

Introduction

With lock down easing next Monday so people can again visit all shops and hospitality venues with outside capacity, its time to really encourage people to visit retail outlets and pubs, inns and restaurants with gardens.  This is not to say that on line purchasing will cease – far from it – this is now a ‘learnt’  behaviour for many and will continue – but we all want to preserve our high streets and the various local hospitality sectors so digital marketing reaching out to people to visit is now recommended.

Good news from the Chancellor

Along with the £1.5 billion business rates relief fund which has been welcomed by food and drink wholesalers, the extended Additional Restrictions Grant means a total of nearly £2 billion is now available for food wholesalers through local authorities.  This is good news for the supply chain for the hospitality and food retail sectors – businesses within these sectors will rely on their wholesalers to bring their operations back to life.

Marketing advice – tell your story well

As is widely known (and reported by us) online food and drink sales have soared since Covid 19 arrived in the UK and the number of people buying online is still rising, according to the latest research from the ONS (Office for National Statistics).

For food and drink producers, showcasing products through online channels will continue to be an important way to gain traction with consumers post pandemic.  Linked social media campaigns driving customers back to retail outlets as well as showcasing product benefits via storytelling is important in strengthening engagement – as well as enhancing differentiation factors.  As many as 63% of consumers choose to shop with brands who also share their values so it is clearly very necessary to embrace this factor within the storytelling – so on your web site and within social media campaigns we recommend you emphasise your story, staff and values and you will appear to be more authentic and reliable.

Our bespoke virtual shop/tour concept, wherein values and authenticity are reflected in visuals and text, is one way in which we could help you in terms of engaging storytelling as in this example – https://www.realorganic.co.uk/explore-sauces/