5 Ways a Mobile App Can Increase Bakery Sales and Cut Waste

TLDR

How can a mobile app increase bakery sales and cut waste for your business? With the right features, a mobile app provides bakeries powerful tools to better manage inventory, attract customers, and improve the bottom line. Read on to discover five must-have capabilities that enable bakeries large and small to sell more baked goods and reduce spoilage. We’ll review app features like out-of-stock markers, custom box building, subscription management, scheduled notifications, and seasonal promotions. Adopt these mobile features, and watch your bakery thrive.

‍

Enable "Mark as Out of Stock" to Avoid Wasted Inventory

Prevent Over-Ordering

One of the biggest challenges bakeries face is accurately predicting demand to avoid over-ordering ingredients that go to waste. Per Diem's mobile app integration with Square allows you to easily mark items as "out of stock" when they sell out. This prevents accidentally placing orders for ingredients you don't need until that menu item is back in stock.

Seamless Inventory Tracking

The "Mark as Out of Stock" feature seamlessly syncs with your Square inventory management system. As items sell out, your team can mark them in the app, automatically updating counts across all your locations. This real-time visibility ensures you never accidentally order too much of an ingredient you're already stocked up on.

Reduce Food Waste

With precise inventory tracking, you can drastically cut back on expired ingredients and baked goods hitting the trash. Only order what you truly need based on current stock levels and demand. The less food winds up wasted, the more profits stay in your bakery.

‍

"Build Your Own Box" Increases Customization

Personalized Ordering Boosts Sales

Offering customers the ability to customize their bakery box orders directly through your mobile app is a great way to boost sales and customer satisfaction. When people can handpick the exact treats they want in their box, it creates a personalized and memorable experience.

For example, through the "Build Your Own Box" feature in the app, customers of Chip City Cookies can mix and match their favorite cookie flavors into one perfect box. No more settling for pre-made assortments with flavors they don't love.

Tap Into Customer Cravings

Giving customers this level of control taps right into their specific cravings and preferences. They feel empowered to get exactly what they want, when they want it. No more compromises or disappointments when the bakery selection doesn't match their tastes.

This customization can lead to larger orders as customers load up their custom boxes. It also encourages more frequent orders when customers know they can satisfy those unique cravings anytime through the app.

Memorable Gifting Experiences

The "Build Your Own Box" feature isn't just for personal indulgences either. It enables customers to create one-of-a-kind gift boxes tailored to the recipient's tastes. These thoughtful, customized boxes make for memorable gifting experiences that keep customers coming back.

By putting this level of personalization and control in customers' hands through your bakery's mobile app, you're setting yourself up for increased sales, customer loyalty, and standing out from the competition. Don't miss this opportunity to truly delight your customers.

‍

Offer Subscriptions for Recurring Revenue

Offering subscription options through your bakery's mobile app is a smart strategy for generating predictable, recurring revenue streams. Just look at Panera Bread's successful coffee subscription which has attracted over 1 million subscribers.

Convenient for Customers

Subscriptions make it ultra-convenient for your loyal customers to get their favorite baked goods on a regular schedule. No need to remember to place an order - their treats just show up like clockwork.

This level of frictionless service builds strong habits and brand loyalty. Customers appreciate the seamless experience and you get steady, predictable sales.

Customizable Options

With Per Diem's mobile app builder, you can offer a variety of subscription tiers and options tailored to different customer needs. For example:

• The "Pastry of the Month" club delivers a new pastry creation each month
• The "Bread Basket" provides weekly loaves and rolls for busy families
• A "Coffee & Muffin" combo for the morning crowd

By bundling products together in creative ways, you upsell more items per transaction while providing real value.

Valuable Data Insights

Subscription data gives you powerful insights into your customers' purchasing behavior and product preferences over time. Use this intel to fine-tune your menu, promotions, and inventory management.

Having a base of recurring subscription orders also helps forecast demand more accurately, reducing waste from over-production.

‍

Streamline Operations With Category Schedules and Push Notifications

Maximize Efficiency

With Per Diem's category scheduling feature, you can streamline production by assigning specific baked goods to designated bake days. This level of organization ensures your bakery maintains optimal stock levels while minimizing overproduction and waste.

Scheduling by category also distributes production demands across your facilities. You won't need to push production lines beyond capacity to meet spikes in demand for certain items. The balanced workload enhances operational efficiency.

Notify Customers About Items

Schedule Per Diem's push notification capabilities to alert customers when out-of-stock items return to the bakery case. Send notifications to let patrons know when their favorite treats are back in stock.

These notifications help minimize lost sales from out-of-stock items and can drive sales to specific locations if implemented strategically. Customers appreciate being informed when the products they want become available again.

Monitor Inventory Closely

Operation management tools like BakeBoost enable real-time inventory tracking across all your locations. With automated stock level monitoring, you'll have precise insights into which items are running low and require an imminent production run.

Combine this inventory data with category schedules and push notifications to guarantee your bakery case stays enticing while minimizing last-minute rushes and shortages. Customers receive prompts about returning favorites while you maintain ideal operations behind the scenes.

‍

Final Thoughts

You've now seen the top 5 app features that can help your bakery reduce waste, boost sales, and keep customers satisfied. Will implementing even one of these solutions revolutionize your business overnight? No. But taking small, consistent action to improve your processes with technology can add up to big rewards over time. Don't wait for the perfect moment to start. Sign up with Per Diem and take the first step toward better inventory management and customer service.

‍