Chainging market

During the ‘Cha(i)nges in Food’ congress organised by the Food Service Institute (FSIN) at the Dutch trade show Horecava, statistics confirmed what we actually already knew deep down. Recent research by GfK has revealed that consumers are attracted to innovative ‘blurring’ concepts such as Markthal in Rotterdam, Foodhallen in Amsterdam, Jumbo Foodmarkt and Deka World of Food. And with its Versmarkt fresh food store, Dutch hotel chain Van der Valk attracted 6,000 paying customers in the first week.

Consumers want something more and something different. Are you already involved in blurring? Seek out opportunities, utilise your network and collaborate with others. The future is ‘together’, since going it alone will no longer get you very far. And once you’ve started innovating, you’ll want to tell your customers all about it. But how? On 10 February, OSV members attended a workshop at the TechAcademy Food in Ede and run by John Wallbrink, called ‘Get a grip on your e-mail marketing’. A future article  will report on the event and participants’ insights. I believe that we can learn a lot from one another’s knowledge and above all experiences.

Send me a press release if you’ve got something new to tell people. This publication is also a marketing tool which is within easy reach. We even have a special section for news from OSV and YFM members, which currently includes photos of our well-attended Winter Barbecue (a little out of season now!) and much more.  

There was definitely a sense of ‘The future is together’ during our Winter Barbecue; 200 members and their guests networking, sharing knowledge and having fun together, including dining on delicious beef from Groothedde Vaassen. A future article  will explain more about this family-owned company and its products. I could go on for ever…but I won’t, since this column is limited to 275 words. But I have plenty more ideas for the future.

Until next month!

Saskia Stender