When it comes to software in the food distribution sector, the importance of an intuitive and efficient User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX), especially across

Explore how Pepper helps food manufacturers advertise to foodservice buyers at the point of purchase for targeted, measurable marketing.

At Pepper, we’ve always been tracking toward one goal—to reimagine the way technology serves the independent food distribution industry. Today, there are more than 25,000 independent distributors that serve as the backbone of the food industry. Yet they have been largely overlooked and underserved by existing tech solutions. In an era of increasing consolidation and competition from large corporate distributors, we believe it’s critical to preserve the diversity of the industry. That’s why, since our inception, we’ve been obsessed with building software to both elevate and future proof the role of independent food distributors.

When it comes to software in the food distribution sector, the importance of an intuitive and efficient User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX), especially across mobile devices cannot be overstated. Mobile phone usage is trending upwards and accounts for over 60% of daily web traffic. A complex or confusing interface can create barriers, waste time, and ultimately cost businesses money. On the flip side, Forrester Research report states that, "a well-designed user interface could raise ecommerce conversion rates by up to 200%". Pepper understands this all too well, which is why we've committed to creating an industry-leading UI/UX experience across all devices, with a special emphasis on mobile. In this blog post, we'll delve into the design principles and forethought that make the Pepper platform stand out in the market. 

In an increasingly digital world, businesses are constantly seeking out technologies to increase their bottom line, streamline operations, boost efficiency, and improve user experiences. One area ripe for innovation is payments, a crucial part of every business transaction. Pepper, a forward-thinking technology solution, is stepping up to meet this need within the food distribution sector.

From 3-ring binder price 'Bibles' to Smartphones: The Evolution of Systems in Food Distribution and the Role of DSRs. Over the past century, advancements in technology and changes in consumer behavior have transformed the food distribution industry. Learn how DSRs have adapted to new ordering systems and leveraged data-driven insights to become more consultative in today's market.

Insights and observations from Pepper’s work at the intersection of food distribution and technology

With Promotions, you can drive product movement and increase basket size like never before—all directly within the app. Whether you’re running a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) sale or launching a seasonal special, Pepper has you covered.

DSR Connect, our new sales engagement suite, gives distributor sales reps a complete set of tools to prospect new customers and increase the profitability and penetration of existing customers. With the ability to edit item pricing on the fly, monitor upsell and churn alerts for key accounts, and even prospect and create sample order guides for new customers based on location and menu items.

B2C teams are racing full-speed into performance marketing channels, most notably retail media channels like Amazon, Target, and Instacart, with a 12% increase in marketing spend annually. It’s hard to beat the clarity and straightforwardness of placing product ads directly into the intent-based search experiences of end buyers, whether that’s for tomato soup at Target or a new USB charger from Amazon.

Distributor sales reps experienced a collective hand-wringing when we first saw the leap in AI technology that ChatGPT represented. A smorgasbord of generative AI tools were soon released, each promising to disrupt the sales motion more aggressively than the last.

We love the AI excitement here at Pepper, but if there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that distributor sales representatives (DSRs) are not going to be replaced with autonomous agents. Distributors are not merely transaction machines between suppliers and buyers, but are increasingly strategic partners that help buyers identify opportunities, suppliers, and ingredients that matter to their businesses. There’s a relational and human element to that that’s not going away.‍

As independent distributors continue to trailblaze with eCommerce solutions that push the foodservice industry forward, there is more than just a need for detailed, accurate, and up-to-date product information. Product content must be dynamic, robust, and constantly improving to fit the ever-changing needs of the savvy online shopper who demands a next-level shopping experience. Furthermore, it is critical that this information be acquired legally and ethically with brand owner’s permission. 

One topic consistently captures the collective imagination in food service, especially if you work in distribution or manufacturing: the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for the industry. The conversation around AI is not about an abrupt emergence reminiscent of sci-fi scenarios—far from being a sudden apparition akin to Jarvis from Ironman or Skynet from Terminator. In reality, AI has been subtly weaving its way into the fabric of food service for quite some time, albeit in less conspicuous ways. With that, let's take a look at where AI has been in food service, then dig into 6 ways we see AI playing in food service right now.‍‍