How Nékter Juice Bar Is Using Technology To Engage Consumers During Covid

We asked Steve Schulze, Co-Founder & CEO of Nékter Juice Bar, what technologies his company is finding most effective for connecting with consumers during Covid.

The secret to success in reaching customers during the Covid era lies in your ability to meet them where they are. You must create innovative digital models that bring comfort and convenience to interacting with your brand. For Nékter this included curbside delivery, delivery through third parties, ordering ahead, and promotions for our rewards members through the app.

With this foundation rooted in technology and innovation, we saw sales across both digital and delivery platforms increase 200% year-over-year amid the pandemic (2019 compared with 2020); and now, same store sales continue to rise, up 11% year-over-year (2020 compared with 2021).

With this multi-tiered approach, we’re able to gather complex customer data and deliver customized offers and messaging based on individual purchase history and preferences. This strategy has driven customer engagement, loyalty, and frequency. It all comes down to the simplistic marketing formula: right time, right location, right reward. 

Covid-19 has also significantly affected the importance of social media marketing. Traffic has spiked exponentially because of consumers spending more time on their phones and scrolling through social platforms. It’s become imperative to engage with your audience in a way that is authentic, honest, and empathetic. But how do you inform this strategic approach? It begins with social listening and community engagement. Use real-time data to better understand the customer’s current situation and needs. Engaging with your customers across social media platforms and using contact forms such as surveys and reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and Google become vital elements of your marketing mix. 

Other effective, low-cost technology solutions include email content, social influencers, and simple signage. When combining these efforts, you’re able to increase brand engagement and begin driving foot traffic back to your locations as we inch closer to pre-pandemic consumer behavior.