Applied Technology: Better knowing the consumer

Though many of the latest innovations are tied to suppliers and retailers, the consumer has not been left out of the technology loop.

Gary Hawkins, founder and CEO of the Los Angeles-based Center for Advancing Retail & Technology, LLC, says, there’s a great deal of research and testing that’s all about how to better entice the individual shopper.

Because 60 percent of all the people in the United States have one or more health concerns, Hawkins says store technology that guides them to beneficial products is already on its way to the market.

Of course, shoppers need to opt in and supply information for the technology to work.

“This will impact both the food industry and healthcare,” he explains. “Customers will have a virtual dietician on their smartphone, which will be a big gain for fresh produce.”

Trade groups and government agencies have long espoused diets with higher amounts of fruits and vegetables, and medical professionals are jumping on board, some even prescribing fresh produce for what ails patients.

This is the sixth in a series of six stories on Applied Technology. To read the whole series, click here.