REDMOND, WA - You may have heard of virtual reality before in one of our previous stories, but augmented reality takes that technology one step further. With augmented reality, virtual objects are projected right in front of you, allowing you to interact with them as you would with any physical object. Microsoft’s HoloLens is helping to make this possible. Keep reading to see how this technology can help your business.
Check out the full article in The Snack magazine by clicking here, or continue reading the full piece below.
If you want to subscribe to The Snack magazine, click the green button below.
Holographic Computing is Here
Is that greenhouse in your living room just a figment of your imagination? Not quite. With Microsoft’s HoloLens, seeing is truly believing.
A new era of holographic computing is upon us. With some analysts projecting the augmented reality market to hit $120 billion in revenue by 2020, this new vision of the future is capturing the hearts and minds of tech giants from Google to Facebook to usher in a wave of groundbreaking technology. Who would have thought that we’d be wearing headsets that could allow us to walk and interact freely with three-dimensional, holographic objects in a virtual world, or even a virtual greenhouse, from the comfort of our own La-Z-Boy or office chair? Microsoft’s newest tech gadget, HoloLens, is making it all possible. Whether you’re a farmer planning his or her next crop, a real estate developer or retailer experimenting with architectural possibilities, or a marketer looking to sell in an innovative way to a mass audience, look no further than augmented reality.
What is Augmented Reality?
My first experience with augmented reality, or AR, was bizarre to say the least. In front of me, standing in my living room, was a virtual, miniature 3D cartoon character interacting with real-life objects like a chair or my sofa. The character, which was projected on the screen of my smartphone, would sit down on the couch or walk around the room avoiding objects in its path as if it were actually there with me. What appeared to be some form of clever witchcraft was actually the latest innovation in virtual reality.
AR is a type of technology that combines the real world with the virtual, or rather, attempts to make the virtual world indistinguishable from the real. A computer generated image is superimposed onto a real-life scene so you can interact with it. Microsoft’s HoloLens takes this concept a step further. Here’s how it works:
Meet Microsoft’s HoloLens
At first glance, you might think it would be silly to strap a bulky, Robocop-like headset onto your face. While most examples of augmented reality don’t require futuristic goggles, HoloLens comes equipped with advanced sensors and hardware that captures information about what you’re doing and the environment that you’re in to project a computer-generated image of anything that you could possibly imagine, depending on the software.
Using state-of-the-art gyroscopes and accelerometers, the device tracks and captures information about every subtle movement you make. It understands your physical whereabouts in the environment such as your position and movement in space, your head and hand gestures, and even your gaze. Like other AR technology, HoloLens also tracks objects in the environment to project images inside or on top of them. Say you want to look at a plot of land on a farm in the comfort of your office. You could project that image onto a desk or coffee table and mold it to your specifications like you would a piece of clay or sand in a sandbox. You can even fully immerse yourself in the field right in your office, but these examples barely scratch the surface.
Augmented Reality vs. Virtual Reality
When you first slip on HoloLens, you’re not going to see a virtual world like you would if you were to use an Oculus Rift or Samsung’s Gear VR. Instead, you would only see the world around you as if you weren’t wearing the headset at all. In fact, there’s actually a big difference between augmented and virtual reality.
The goal of virtual reality is to immerse users inside a virtual world that’s been created by a software developer, hence the name. It’s more akin to a video game, but there are commercial uses for the technology that are available, like videoconferencing for example. Augmented reality, however, seeks to help users better interact with the real world using high-definition holograms.
For better insight into augmented reality technology, check out some of these examples to see how your business could benefit from Microsoft’s HoloLens.
Agriculture:
Out on a business trip, but you need to get a closer look at what’s happening on the field in real-time? Whether you’re across the globe or just feet away, HoloLens allows you and a colleague to see the world from each other’s perspective. Additionally, if either of you have a tablet on-hand or a PC nearby, you can also draw instructions that would appear as holograms in the real world.
Have ideas for expansion? HoloLens allows you to create holograms to visualize how something will look in the real world, whether it’s new desks in the office, a new greenhouse, packing facility, or more.
Retail/Foodservice:
Want to re-design your store layout? You can pin a blueprint of your store on a table and use your finger to trace your ideal arrangement. Once you’re finished, you can project that environment as a hologram and explore it to your liking in the real world.
Have new POS material, but not sure where to place it? Create full-scale holograms and share them with your colleagues.
Want to plan a new distribution center? HoloLens is an architect’s dream come true. By using full-scale holograms, you can better communicate your vision to construction industry professionals.
The Future of Augmented Reality
According to a report from Digi-Capital, augmented reality will hit the mainstream by 2020, meaning it could be a major revenue source for enterprise, advertising, TV/film, and consumer apps such as Facebook. With forecasted revenue of $120 billion by 2020, there is a huge opportunity for businesses to bring their brand to a whole new dimension.
Tim Merel, Managing Director of Digi-Capital, said that augmented reality could “fundamentally disrupt mobile” and that the next Apple might come out of AR.
“AR could disrupt the mobile market, and Microsoft’s HoloLens could be the start of regaining the glory lost to Apple in the last decade,” said Merel, who believes that augmented reality’s addressable market is similar to the smartphone/tablet market.
What was once only thought possible in science fiction is now a reality. With AR technology like Microsoft’s HoloLens, we can now communicate on a level never seen before. Businesses across the produce and retail industries can work more effectively with holograms and collaborate in an entirely new dimension. Indeed, holographic computing is here.
ST. LOUIS, MI - Monsanto hosted a series of investor presentations in which both consolidation and future acquisitions were put on the table, though who the seed company is eyeing is still up in the air, according to President Brett Begemann.
“We’re discussing every possible possibility, just like every other company is discussing,” Begemann said, according to Reuters, when speaking to reporters ahead of an investor event yesterday. “Talking about and doing are two different things.”
On the table, along with other prospects, is the resurrection of the company's endeavors to acquire pesticide company Syngenta after having walked away from the bidding war in August.
As we previously reported, Monsanto had pitched almost $47 billion for the European rival before walking away to focus more on its research and development. Those costs, according to reports, have also led to a need for consolidation.
Begemann added that when it comes to that aspect, it is discussing all options.
"Everybody is talking now," Begemann said. "We are going to deliver our plans regardless of whether or not there is consolidation. If there is, we would be interested in participating where it makes sense."
Whether or not Monsanto will come full circle and rekindle its pursuit of Syngenta, or who else the company is shopping for, remains to be seen.
AndNowUKnow will continue to follow this story, and all other possible acquisitions that could influence the industry, as more information comes to light.
MISSION VIEJO, CA - When it comes to maximizing avocado retail sales, understanding shopper priorities is essential, according to the Hass Avocado Board (HAB). HAB’s new study, Shopper Purchase Decisions and Influences – Driving Hass Avocado Sales at Retail and its companion piece, Path-to-Purchase Action Guide help marketers and retailers meet the needs of avocado shoppers by detailing what matters most to shoppers when purchasing avocados at retail. The study also looks at how shopper priorities differ between heavier and lighter buyers.
According to HAB's study, retailers can maximize avocado sales if they meet shopper needs for the following:
- Quality/Ripeness
- Selection
- Price
Emiliano Escobedo, Executive Director of the Hass Avocado Board says that the avocado category is at the forefront of exciting change and growth taking place in fresh produce departments across the country.
"Understanding how shoppers make the decision to purchase avocados is essential to optimizing shopper satisfaction and driving sales of Hass avocados in produce departments," says Escobedo, explaining that shoppers are adding more and more avocados to their shopping carts these days. "This study helps us understand which factors and perceptions drive larger than planned avocado purchases; trigger an impulse purchase; and what factors and perceptions might derail a purchase.”
The study found that both heavier buyers (purchasers of 37 or more avocados per year) and lighter buyers (purchasers of 1 to 36 avocados per year) rank ripeness, firmness, unblemished/unbruised as very important or somewhat important attributes.
- Approximately 43 percent of shoppers prefer to purchase avocados that are perfectly ripe, with somewhat smaller percentages of shoppers selecting under ripe or mixed as their preferred degree of ripeness, depending on the need.
“Understanding what matters most to heavier and lighter avocado buyers enables marketers and retailers to meet the needs of all avocado shoppers and maximize sales of Hass avocados,” explains Escobedo. “This study provides in-depth insights into these two shopper segments and is a must-read for those interested in gaining and applying useful information.”
Another key to increasing avocado sales, according to HAB’s study, is providing a selection of bulk avocados that are purchased by both heavier and lighter shoppers. HAB explains that many shoppers look for bulk so they can select the individual avocados they purchase.
- 70 percent of heavier buyers and 93 percent of lighter buyers purchased bulk avocados during their last avocado shopping trip.
Interestingly, heavier buyers are more likely than lighter buyers to purchase bagged avocados. Pricing also ranks as a top concern for all buyers and can spur incremental purchases, HAB says. For example, heavier buyers selected “they were the right price” or “they were on sale” as reasons for adding more avocados to their basket than planned.
To learn more about how shoppers make the decision to purchase avocados at point of sale, visit hassavocadoboard.com/retail to obtain a copy of the Action Guide and/or the full report.
NEW YORK CITY, NY - With Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, and so many others offering opportunities for consumers and foodservice to showcase their plates as a main subject, it may come as no surprise that some are starting to ask if food can be art.
It’s a question that Baldor Specialty Foods is pursuing with vigor.
“Is food art? We think so,” Benjamin Walker, Baldor’s Marketing Director, said in a press release. And to prove it, the company has released the NYC Chef Series, a series of prints that showcase some of its most unique ingredients.
“We started running a photo spread in our company’s magazine to showcase the raw ingredients that our chefs transform into dishes we all know and love. We thought it was just a cool way to honor our customers’ incredible creativity and to inspire the readers of our magazine, who are all in the business. But, we were surprised to get this awesome surge of curiosity and support from people outside of the industry,” Walker said.
Shot by professional photographers, the series pays homage to real orders placed by Baldor’s customers, many of which, the company said, are amongst the biggest names in the New York City restaurant scene.
“We can’t give away all the tricks up our customers’ sleeves,” Walker added, saying the company would not reveal the names of the chefs featured in the coming series. “But, if you’re savvy about the NYC restaurant scene and you read the titles closely, you should be able to guess a few of them.”
Available in different sizes on Society6, an e-commerce portal, the NYC Chef Series can be ordered in any of the following formats:
- As high resolution art prints.
- As framed art.
- As canvas art.
The prints can be viewed and ordered here. Additionally, Baldor’s Society6 gallery features a photo series titled “Fresh + Fancy,” as well as holiday-ready gift cards featuring produce snowflakes.
If you choose to purchase and showcase some produce art, let us know! Post your print on Instagram and tag @andnowuknow or email us at [email protected].
ENCINO, CA - Look out Southern California grocers: Gelson’s has now officially entered the ring with the purchase of 8 locations from bankrupt retailer Haggen.
Following Gelson’s purchase of the stores for $36 million, CEO Rob McDougall told with the San Diego Union-Tribune that the company has been trying to get into the San Diego market for years, and thinks it has the chops to succeed in a niche market and while still increasing its growth.
“I think we bring an offering down there that isn’t in San Diego, at least not to the level we do,” McDougall explained as he talked about celebrities and chefs that shop at his establishments. “We’re more high-end. We really want to attract that foodie customer that is looking for the best quality.”
Gelson’s plans to hire back former Haggen employees along with the addition of new workers, McDougall confirmed to the paper. The company will be holding a job fair at its new Del Mar location on December 5th, with the aim to be officially open in early 2016.
“We see future growth. I don’t see 10 more stores in San Diego,” McDougall continued. “But, I think it is safe to say if we get these three, there’s at least another two to four that, if I could pick the location, we would plug it in right now.”
As far as how he plans to take on other retailers in the competitive Southern California marketplace, McDougall compared Gelson’s to a more equal opportunity version of Whole Foods, which has four stores in San Diego County, saying that his stores make an effort not to tell people what they should eat.
“Whole Foods won’t sell Diet Coke,” McDougall said. “I have customers that like Diet Coke. I’m not embarrassed to say it.”
Even more bids for Haggen stores will be decided by a judge next week, so keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for updates.
CHICAGO, IL – Hot off the heels of last month’s announcement, C.H. Robinson is once again growing its operations in the Windy City.
The logistics provider has signed a seven-year lease for a 235,000 square foot commercial office building in Des Plaines. The facility, which will house approximately 150 employees, is expected to open in early 2016.
The facility will primarily serve two functions, namely as a major hub for both North American and international freight consolidation operations and as C.H. Robinson’s in-house TSA Certified Cargo Screening facility (CCSF). According to a press release, 36,726 square feet of the warehouse space will be dedicated to state-of-the-art screening technology to ensure expeditious service to shippers. Customers will also be able to track their freight before, during, and after the screening process thanks to C.H. Robinson’s global technology platform, Navisphere®.
C.H. Robinson’s President of Global Forwarding, Mike Short, said that Chicago is one of the most important markets in the company’s global shipping network because of its connectivity to Class I rail, ocean shipping, truck transportation, and one of the world’s leading airports.
“This move will enable our customers to have better access to these transportation options, and will position our company to build on our decade of rapid expansion in Chicago,” he said.
C.H. Robinson’s growth in Chicago has been substantial since 2005. Ten years ago, the company signed its first lease for a 30,000 square foot Chicago-based freight consolidation facility. Since then, the company’s employee base has virtually doubled in the city to nearly 2,000. That number accounts for approximately 15 percent of its global workforce, according to a press release.
“The fact that we just leased a facility with 235,000 square feet speaks to the immense growth we’ve been able to achieve in Chicago over the past decade, and the aggressive plans we have for the future,” said Eric Shover, C.H. Robinson’s Vice President of North America Global Forwarding.
The lease was executed with Liberty Property Trust, which owns 50 buildings, offering approximately 13 million square feet of space in the Chicago/Milwaukee corridor.
The facility is located at 333 Howard Avenue in Des Plaines, near O'Hare International Airport.
SOLEDAD, CA – Long-time produce expert Chris Devan is making the leap to Braga Fresh Family Farms’ sales team.
“I’m so excited to be part of the Braga Fresh team working on the Josie’s Organics brand and contribute my knowledge and experience from all areas of the industry,” the over 26-year industry veteran said in a press release.
He will be responsible for managing and expanding upon key customer relationships and contributing to the continued growth of the Josie’s Organics brand, the company announced.
“Chris’ wealth of experience, particularly with organics, is an advantage,” said Rod Braga, President and CEO. “He brings industry knowledge and key relationships that will complement our existing team, and he will help make sure service quality remains high as distribution of Josie’s Organics continues to grow.”
His interest in produce began when he was just fifteen years old working as a bag boy in Alpha Beta in San Diego. From there, he was promoted to produce clerk. Eventually, he found his way into Melissa’s/World Variety Produce as an organic vegetable buyer, and most recently, as Account Manager for Grimmway Farms where he was responsible for overseeing major, national accounts.
With that level of experience, he is well equipped to take on any challenge that comes his way.
Braga Fresh is part of the vertically integrated Braga family of farming companies, headquartered in Soledad, California since 1928 and still led today by third-generation farmers producing in California and Arizona.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Vision Produce’s very own Sales Coordinator Eddie Portillo is lacing up his running shoes to take on the 2016 Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon.
“As a company we are constantly looking for new ways to promote a healthy lifestyle, increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, and support our employees’ endeavors,” Donald Souther, Vision’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales Development, said in a press release. “When Eddie approached us with the idea, we saw it as an opportunity and jumped on board.”
Eddie is a veteran runner, having previously participated in the 2012 San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon, the 2014 Huntington Beach Marathon, and the 2015 Malibu Triathlon (Classic Distance).
To further encourage its employees to participate, Vision Produce is offering to pay for their participation in the accompanying 5K walk/run.
The 2016 Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon is a net downhill course that runs from Dodger Stadium to Ocean Blvd in Santa Monica.
Participants will have six hours and thirty minutes to complete the course, which goes through downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Sunset Strip.
Join Eddie at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, February 14 to cheer him on as he takes on this endeavor!
BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart is continuing to build momentum in its fresh and organic pursuits as it beat expectations in the third quarter of 2016.
“In food, we saw our best topline results of the year, despite minimal inflation, which negatively impacted our total box comp by approximately 90 basis points,” Greg Foran, President and CEO of Walmart, U.S., said during a conference call with analysts. “Momentum from a solid Labor Day weekend continued through to Halloween. We’re particularly pleased with the results in fresh, where we brought in new products, developed strong price leadership through strategic buys, and promoted locally sourced and organic product.”
As of 2:10 pm EST, Walmart's stock was up 3.82% to $60.08.
Foran reiterated that fresh continues to be a key focus for the retail giant, who continued to accelerate its growth in the grocery line by adding 85 more locations to its online grocery pickup.
“We now have almost 140 locations across 25 markets that offer the customer the ability to order their groceries online and conveniently pick up at a time of their choosing,” he said, adding that while e-commerce sales and traffic were “softer than we would like.” Walmart also introduced a digital wishlist in time for the holiday shopping season.
Overall, the retailer’s e-commerce sales contributed about 15 basis points, having globally increased approximately 10% according to the report, and while it made solid progress in fresh for the last year, Foran said it still has a ways to go.
Other financial highlights in the report included:
- Total revenue was $117.4 billion. On a constant currency basis, total revenue was $122.4 billion, an increase of 2.8%.
- Comp sales at Walmart U.S. were positive for the fifth consecutive quarter, up 1.5%. Traffic increased 1.7%.
- Customer experience scores continued to strengthen. Neighborhood Market comps increased approximately 8%, with strong growth from newer stores.
- Walmart International net sales were $29.8 billion. On a constant currency basis, sales reached $34.7 billion, led by Mexico and Canada. Operating income decreased 6.4%. On a constant currency basis, operating income increased 8.5%.
CNBC reports that currently Walmart sells fresh produce in 11,000 retail units worldwide, with grocery and health and wellness making up about 67% of the company’s overall business.
BANCROFT, WI – RPE and Discovery Garden’s, a subsidiary of Cal-Ore Seed, Inc., are banding together in a new partnership.
RPE will now act as the exclusive marketing partner for Discovery Garden’s brand of gourmet potatoes, the company announced in a press release.
“We are more than thrilled about the opportunity to work with Discovery Garden’s and promote their exceptional brand,” said Russell Wysocki, RPE’s President and CEO. “We look forward to working with their talented and dedicated team and we’ll do our best to represent the high quality potatoes they grow.”
Two of Discovery Garden’s proprietary branded potatoes, Sierra Gold® and Sierra Rose®, are expected to be a big hit among consumers. Both varieties are grown and packaged in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
Sierra Gold, named the 2012 Gold Medal Winner for yellow potato varieties by the Oregon Potato Commission, combines the creamy texture of a golden potato with the hearty skin of a russet. Sierra Rose, the 2014 Gold Medal Winner for red potato varieties, offers an “irresistible creamy texture” that’s “perfect for any recipe,” according to a press release.
Both potatoes are offered in 5-pound and 10-pound poly bags and 50-pound cartons.
Look forward to seeing these full-flavored potatoes from RPE and Discovery Garden's.