Trends that are set to stay since Covid
Despite all that has been thrown at them, the hospitality industry has responded with resilience and resourcefulness to keep going. Venues have had to do things slightly differently since re-opening and some of the trends that emerged during the pandemic look set to stay.
Hygiene
We are learning to live with Covid. All establishments are emphasizing hygiene as a way to limit the spread of the pandemic and to make their customers feel safe. Sanitising gel is now the norm as well as air sanitisation systems and frequent cleans of all areas a customer comes into contact with.
Contactless payments
Contactless payments have risen sharply since the beginning of the pandemic. Many businesses opted for a ‘card payments only’ policy in an attempt to protect their staff from contact when money changes hand. The ability to pay without having to touch a device when keying in a pin, especially after the limit was raised to £100 in October, made everyone feel safer.
Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay usage also rose again during the year and this trend is set to continue, especially among the younger population.
Omnichannel approach
Everybody had to get very creative during the lockdowns to keep going. From transferring to online sales or deliveries/click and collect, to taking to social media with the latest updates. Venues did all that they could to stay connected and present to their clientele. This cohesive approach to marketing communications was already taking hold within the industry and is set not only to stay, but to grow.
Integration is key
2022 will see the continuation of the upward trend for integration. Now more than ever, businesses need to be super efficient to survive. Integration of websites, card payment terminals and accounting packages with EPoS back office software is where owners will be able to take control of their business, improve service and maximize profits.
POS – The perfect blend of reliability and agility. Book a free demo today.
Posted: 11-01-2022