Food and beverage companies face much greater business pressures today than they did just five years ago. It’s a blitz of rising commodity costs, retailer price pressure, distributor consolidation, farm-to-table and other direct distribution models, and the entry of online retailers such as Amazon into the space.
In a reversal of longtime trends in the industry, large manufacturers of food and drink staples are now losing ground to smaller, more nimble competitors that are meeting consumer demand for more innovation, healthier options and door-to-door delivery. Even the most historically dominant brands are playing catch-up with the latest trends and consumer demands for transparency in food ingredients, sourcing and sustainability.