The 5 food and FM trends defined by 2020
Beyond the current crisis, preparing for the long-term future means being aware of the world’s great transformations.
We define 11 major megatrends on an ongoing basis with demographic, social, environmental, economic and technological implications. This year, some of these megatrends have accelerated faster than others as a result of the pandemic. Here are the big developments which define the ‘new normal’ after 2020 for the foodservice and FM industries:
Innovative meal experiences
Disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics or the Internet of Things... all are profoundly transforming the world of work. The traditional workplace food offering with kitchens serving on-site employees, at set hours, is one dimensional. As behaviors and perceptions of work have evolved, so have expectations when it comes to food in the workplace and how it supports people during their day.
In all countries, we continue to enhance our current services with tech-enabled solutions, building partnerships to meet new and evolving guest expectations and developing new capabilities. Examples of this include the Enjoy offer which has been launched in France that delivers food solutions to companies without kitchens and our investment in Meican, China’s leading corporate digital foodservices platform.
Continued benefits for working from home
Working from home is now part of everyday life, accelerated by the onset of Covid-19, companies are becoming more flexible on their employee’s working location. However as working from home has become very normal, employers have been looking for ways to boost productivity, wellbeing and quality of life for employees without being able to bring them together in a workplace.
Through our Benefits & Rewards Services, specifically meal and food vouchers, we’ve launched new products to support those workers who have been working from home such as the Employee Experience Card in the United Kingdom and a combination of Foodservice solutions, as well as a meal card, in France which provides access to local restaurants and food delivery, through FoodChéri and other providers.
Workspace solutions
70% of top CEOs agree that creating a great workplace experience is essential for productivity, retention, or sense of belonging. Once Covid-19 lockdowns have lifted throughout the year, many of our clients have been encouraging their employees to come back into the office for this very reason.
Our corp-up, WX, helps organizations optimize their workplace experience through ethnography, IoT and data science. With both consultancy services and technology solutions, WX helps clients to define a functional and sustainable working environment. From wireless sensors that measure occupancy to machine learning algorithms and a space analytics platform, WX ultimately leads to better decision-making and an enhanced employee experience and productivity.
At-home care
Developed countries are faced with a rapidly aging population due in part to slow population growth estimated at 2.9% between 2015 and 2030. At the same time people all over the world now have unlimited access to information and expect personalized services and experiences. As people are living longer and are choosing to live at home to maintain their independence.
We work with senior or disabled individuals and their families to help them live independently and as comfortably as possible at home. Our caregivers around the world are specially trained to provide care within the safety and comfort of home. Whether it’s picking up prescriptions and grocery shopping or providing day-to-day companionship and personal care, Comfort Keepers (U.S.), Amelis (France) and The Good Care Group (United Kingdom) help ensure safety and wellbeing.
From global to local
8.6 billion inhabitants in 2030: the demographic boom is weighing on natural resources, heightening global warming and disrupting traditional consumption pattern. The current crisis has raised the level of consciousness on this issue.
Our Supply Management experts are committed to promoting low carbon emission products and prioritize local and seasonal offers to reduce the ecological footprint of our supply chain. Our global Supply Chain Inclusion Program promotes the integration of small and medium-sized enterprises, businesses owned and/or run by women or persons belonging to minorities, and suppliers who are actively committed to diversity and inclusion. Through our Benefits & Rewards Services we also highlight local restaurants or restaurants sourcing locally to consumers in order to encourage consumers to spend locally.