Gourmet Business - January 2016

Are you Mobile Savvy? 

There is another revolution hap- pening in the digital space these days, and it’s important that businesses recognize the trans- formation. The iPad’s portability and large screen size has certainly had an impact on the way that people browse the Internet. Now that the screens on some phones have grown in size, using a mobile phone for browsing has become more feasible too. The result is that mobile technology is taking over the world. 

I read a recent study that suggests that a large percent- age of consumers report viewing the menu of a restau- rant on their mobile phone before making a reservation to dine there. I know I certainly fall into this category. If restaurants are not making their websites optimized for mobile, they are likely losing out on potential business without even realizing it. I hope everyone in our indus- try has addressed the issue of mobile optimization. At Gourmet Business, we have a separate app for mobile devices that makes it much easier to read our publications on the go, and readership in this environment is on the rise. 

Now that the world is armed with handheld devices that never stray far away from their person, it makes sense that a new breed of products that use Bluetooth and wireless technology to create new functionality never before possible are reaching the market. The successes of products like Nook have inspired an explosion of new products that approach a consumer need in a completely different way. This technology-enabled product approach is also altering into our industry, creating some fantastic new products that you will see featured in this issue. 

If you use a thermometer to check the doneness of your meal while it cooks in the oven, then a wireless thermometer is a great upgrade. But, if you stray beyond the kitchen, then having an app on your phone that communicates with the thermometer is even better! If you occasionally like to make cocktails for company, and you haven’t graduated from bartending school, then the new cocktail maker that uses a scale and an app to measure the amount of each ingredient that needs to be added will make you a pro instantly. You can easily see how the value proposition for some of these products is going to be very strong. If your product is intended to appeal to a younger demo- graphic that treats their mobile phone like a third hand, then the value added to your product and your brand by incorporating some cool technology could be truly signicant. 

My word to the wise is don’t be left behind. Understand how mobile will impact your business and be prepared to adjust accordingly. 

David Spencer
Publisher, Gourmet Business 

President, HousewaresDirect, Inc. 

dspencer@gourmetbusiness.com