Beyond Retail

The food and beverage space isn’t what it once was – it’s much, much better.
 
Even before the pandemic, restaurants, bars and cafes were on a steady march towards modernisation. Takeaway apps were making it possible for restaurants of all shapes and sizes to deliver to customers, and new technologies like QR codes were slowly making their mark on the user journey.
 
But then the pandemic hit, and businesses went into overdrive. To stay open, they had to think fast to meet customer needs as expectations and regulations rapidly shifted. Ordering ahead, digital wallet payments, self-service kiosks – new technologies had burst onto the scene, permanently changing the face of the industry.
 
In this season of Beyond Retail we explore the world of food and beverage to understand how this sector has evolved, and discover the challenges and opportunities that continue to shape its future. 
 
In this episode, we look from past to present at the immense change F&B has undertaken. We speak with Adyen’s Head of Unified Commerce, Brian Dammeir about the parallels between food and beverage and retail, and we hear from Marketing Director for Just Eat for Business, Shane Mansfield to look back at the evolution of delivery over the years. Plus, we get a restauranteur’s perspective on all this change with the help of chef, broadcaster, and award-winning food writer, Gizzi Erskine.
 
If you want to find out more about the technology and behavioural trends influencing food and beverage retail, visit adyen.com/en_GB for more.

What is Beyond Retail?

It didn’t all change in March 2020. Not really. 

The UK high street has been in the throes of a gradual revolution for decades. From the rise of ecommerce, to the birth of mobile, social commerce, and a growing emphasis on experience, change has been underway for a while.

In fact for many, the pandemic has acted as a wake-up call. Digital transformation was no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a matter of survival. Necessity sparked innovation and customers are enjoying more flexibility and convenience than ever before.

But what now? What lessons should we take with us as we move forwards? And how can we ensure we’re ready for whatever’s next?

To find out, host Colin Neil embarked on a journey spanning the past 10 years. Using our latest consumer research as a launch-pad, we spoke to famous brands, industry experts, and consumers on the street.

The result is a five-part podcast series providing a unique insight into the rich, varied world of UK commerce in 2021 and beyond.