The Winter's Tale?

Hello Vending People!

To conclude The Winter's Tale, we just wanted to let you know that our letter, representing love's labour's lost has turned to being love's labour's won.

For whilst those of the yellow arches might have felt that it was all much ado about nothing, it really has been a case of all's well that ends well.

If our moment of Shakespearean wandering has you confused, the McCafé YouTube video to which so many (but particularly the BDV (German Vending Trade Association) and the EVA (European Vending Association)) took exception to has been taken down from the internet and will not be aired on German TV again!

So whilst we may not still be lovin' it, we thank them for doing the right thing... eventually.

Thought you might be pleased to hear this!

The friendly vending geeks @24vend

Not quite a letter to Santa!

Good morning lovely Vending people

Having told you all that we "weren't lovin'" the golden arches take on vending, we decided to put digital pen to paper...

In case you haven't seen it elsewhere, then read our open letter to the folks in charge

Not quite a letter to Santa, but at least there's no ambiguity about our thoughts!

Tell us what you're thinking on this Merry Monday!  Ho! Ho! Ho!

The Friendly Vending Geeks

What a difference a day makes...

24 little hours...

Hello Again!

Yesterday we were "Outraged of Oxford" by an advert from the famous yellow arches that portrayed our industry in very poor light.

Well, 24 hours later, what do you think of this little gem (no, we're not vending lettuce, just yet!)

A world of difference - I guess we're "Happy of Hampshire"

Have you had your cup of coffee today?

Let us know what you think

The Friendly Vending Geeks at 24vend

We're not "lovin' it"

Good morning lovely vending people

We're not sure if you've come across this advert yet, so we wanted to share it with you.  

Watch this clip

Thing is, we really thought that the clever people in the creative industries were done with lazy stereotypes and cheap jibes.

Seems not!

We're drafting a few words to the owners of the yellow arches, because frankly we're not"lovin' it"

We can add your name to that letter if you want; just get in touch with us and let us know

The Friendly Vending Geeks at 24vend

Jack and the Beanstalk

Reading over some industry data last week, we were struck by how coffee is an integral part of life as we know it in the UK.  It's probably that way too in many other countries around the world and "coffee culture" is growing, now slowing.  Being inquisitive types, we did some digging...

1 in 5 people in the UK go to a coffee shop every day - yes, DAILY!

The main colours of UK coffee shops are Red, Green and Blue!  Not sure which is your favourite of these high street brands, but they represent around 54% (market share) of the UK coffee scene...  In terms of locations, Big Red 1500, Big Green 760 and Big Blue 530; places to drink coffee, read industry reports and chat!  It's growing; + 7.5%  (2012); impressive no matter what colour you have pinned to the mast!

What's more interesting is that in total there are estimated to be just under 16, 000 coffee shops in the UK - that includes all of the independent and small chains (great coffee!) dotted on our highways and byways.

So, 16, 000; that's a big number, right?

Well, how about I raise you to 278, 000 as a B I G number?

278, 000 is the (2012) UK vending industry estimate of the number of hot drinks vending machines dotted in our offices, hospitals and leisure centres etc; down in 2012 by around 2.5%.

Another fact that you might find interesting is that the average cup of coffee in the high street will set you back at least a  rocking £2.20 and more if  you add 'ccino, frappé, mocha, decaf, soya, skinny, sprinkles (you get our drift) into the mix.  Growth, profit, loyalty are just some of the words you can associate with the Red, Blue, Green and other colours of the coffee world in which we co-exist.

I'm not sure how many of you reading this are supping a £2.20 cup of vended coffee.  Oops, didn't make you schlurp on your crema did we?

We've talked about this before on previous blogs and not much has changed.  The Big Colours of Coffee are eyeing our playground.  They love the high street as much as the next, but closed sites such as Offices must be on their maps!

Big Red has already made serious moves into Gourmet Vending!  Just calling it Gourmet changes the emotion that we engage when we think about buying from a machine...  they can dress it up all they like, and mess with our heads and our emotions but we know, truly we do, that it's just Vending (like we do!) by any other name.  Big Green is partying with a large Operator and who knows what Big Blue are up to in their Covent Garden coffee hot house.

As you're all smart boys and girls, you'll have spotted that nowhere in this article do we use the word Quality.  Now, you all know that we can't really tell a turnip from a tea-towel without a coffee fix, but it's pretty certain the the vending equipment we use makes excellent, consistent coffee that deserves more love and attention from the sipping public.  However, if we continue to flog it for 2 tenths of not very much because we've squeezed all value from the final brew, why are we surprised when our industry is slip, sliding away rather than racing to the top?

In the age old story, Jack watered his beanstalk and took great care; maybe we should all try to be like Jack... what say you?

So riddle us this; which would you rather be ...  growing at+7.5% or declining at -2.5%?

(all our data comes from Allegra Strategies or AVA)

Thanks for listening and let us know how you're winning the hearts and minds of vending consumers through great coffee!

Back in the saddle!

Hi lovely vending people

Well, what can we say?  Procrastination is indeed the thief of time and since the flurry, excitement and overall thrill of AVEX 2013, we have been remiss!  However, we're back in the saddle with news, stories and opinions about the wacky world of vending.  So, where to start?

Mmm, healthy vending.  This one will, as they say, run and run.  You know we're passionate about being healthy, living well and doing all that in the context of vending.  As such, it's been great to be asked back to support the AVA as they run the second year of their collaboration with UCB final year BA Culinary Arts students.  Just a quick recap if you're new to this topic.

In 2012, the AVA took the bold step of challenging the final year students to create products that can be both sold through the vending channel and are "healthy".  Since there's no agreed definition (anywhere) on what is healthy, they interpreted that in a number of ways, delivering ground-breaking, innovative and great tasting foods for different vending locations.  Well, so successful was the activity, that we are again challenging the students.  This year, however, we have set a calorie challenge!  We have asked them to aim for 250 to 300KCal for the product; that's about as tight as the specification gets.

Lots of industry experts have been on hand in the first few weeks to initiate the "Year of 2014" to the arts and crafts of vending.  A real honour and privilege to work with young chefs of tomorrow.  This week, they presented their concepts to an expert group of which I was a part - fantastic fun!  Without giving the game away, here are some headlines for me:

6 groups will present 6 unique branded, lower calorie vending products.  Awaiting the judging panel will be products that combine:

• Sensory sensations 
• Visual interest 
• Appetising aromas
• Sweet and savoury products many of which are allergen friendly or "free from"
• Fresh innovative combinations of flavours and ingredients 
• A range of  textures 
• Exciting earth-friendly packaging
• Social, Digital and Mobile brands that will engage their demographic and location

You see, I really don't want to steal their thunder and, as they hunker down in the test kitchens for the remainder of this academic term, they need to be able to perfect and develop their products for the judging panel.  I know it's a bit cheeky as I've had a sneak preview but trust me, it will be worth tuning in early in 2014 when the final products, brands and results will be known.

Get in touch and let us know what you think

Great to be on the bike again!

The Friendly Vending Geeks, Gillian & Neil at 24vend

Revolution?

Hello lovely Vending People

From Bob to Paul, Times are not only changing, but a Revolution is upon us!  Not a violent or discomforting revolution, but one that aims to move vending from vilified to venerated (not in the Papal sense, we’re optimists, not fools!)

Vending IS changing…  in quality, taste and content.  

Listen up, read on and book your place at Being Healthy taking place on 12^th June at NEC Hall 3, during AVEX.

WHY should I do that, you ask?  Well, we know you’re all very busy and terribly smart, but we want you to be curious, to be involved in the conversation and  most importantly part of the future.  Attending Being Healthy 2013 is the ONLY place where you will…

• Hear from UK and US vending colleagues on the positive benefits of broadening your offer to include healthy and “better-for-you” options and learn how to market these opportunities
• Receive, hot off the press, a first edition copy of “Vending is Changing”; a white paper written by the AVA summarising its ground-breaking project with young chefs of the future – more choices, more potential, more opportunities
• Hear hot off the press research from vending consumers on their needs and thoughts on healthy vending – and why it’s great for business
• Sample a wide range of new and tasty healthy and free-from vendable products from some new UK based food companies

Thing is, good people, you have to be in the Seminar Marquee at AVEX on 12^th June to experience all this and be up front and centre with these discussions.

Book now – only a few places remain and we’re laying on a fantastic lunch as part of the conference.  What’s not to love?

Be momentous, not inert!  The more, the merrier.

See you next week

Gillian & Neil, The Friendly Vending Geeks at 24vend

71% growth... crazy, or curious?

Hello Lovely Vending People

Apologies that it’s been a while, but no worries! The thrills, spills and adventures of the Friendly Vending Geeks continue; Right here, right now!

71% growth – did that headline capture your imagination?  If not, listen up!

Health and Wellbeing are no stranger to this blog; in fact, they are no stranger to any of us, if we’re honest.   What may be strange to some reading this are the business statistics associated with some of the sectors associated with health and wellbeing, in particular the “Free From” trends..

In the UK (source Mintel), the market for Free From food grew by 109% between 2006 and 2011 and the predicted growth between 2011 and 2016 (ie now-ish!) is 71%.    Yes, 71% growth!

If some of you are less comfortable with % and prefer the more familiar GBP (£), then in value (source Kantar World Panel) UK Free From is currently approximately £240m, growing at 15.5% YOY.

The point?  Well, there are a lot of consumers out there buying foods that are free from, because those numbers are real.  Are we in vending serving those consumers because, if not, surely you recognize an opportunity when you seen one?

Some of you may scoff (in the non-eating sense of the word!) and exclaim that 24vend is frankly, crazy, with their attempts to interest the Vending Village to look more broadly, offer more choice and even consider selling what may seem to be non-core products.  Maybe we are (crazy, that is!), but would it really hurt to take a look? 

The point of our conference BEING HEALTHY2013  on 12^th June, is to offer some different perspectives.   Not only will you hear from Vending Operators who are successfully embracing change and offering healthier choices, but you will also have the opportunity to sample some fantastic new products.  Further, through our working partnership with FoodsMatter.com, we will be presenting Vending Consumer insights hot off the press.  All of this is only available if you attend – as they say, you have to be in it to win it!

So, acknowledging the first track to reach number 1 (in the UK) from downloads alone, CRAZY we are happy to be! 

See you on 12^th June, Seminar Marquee at AVEX – Being Healthy 2013

Have a fantastic week!

The Friendly Vending Geeks at 24vend

And now for something completely different?

Hello Vending Friends

  

Sorry that the Sunday Scorcher has been scarcely seen of late!  Nothing to do with the 1971 Monty Python movie, I promise!

There are many reasons for the busy-ness including most recently FitPro.  As you sit, scratching your heads, let me explain; FitPro is probably one of the biggest European Fitness Conventions, held annually at Loughborough University.  2 days of Masterclasses, Workshops and Inspirational Presentations by leaders in the industry.  I’m there to make sure that I’m up to date with current trends and to invest in my continuous professional development.  Frankly, it’s also a very sociable event and there are always people you see once a year for a chat.  I’ve enclosed a link to show you the kind of things we get up to and the beady eyes amongst you will spot one of the Friendly Vending Geeks live, loud and dangerous!  The FitPro video. Move more and eat well, being the motto of the day!

Whilst we're at it, a quick shout out to our friends at Gem Vending - they run the machines at Loughborough University and it was great to see well-stocked, clean and appetising vending machines about the place!  Not only, but also, packed full of intelligence be it for environmental, consumer or health reasons.  Love the QR codes for nutritional information!

All of this talk of fitness and nutrition leads me neatly into BEINGHEALTHY 2013!  It’s easy to book a seat; your ticket, including lunch, is confirmed immediately.  12^th June 2013 during AVEX at NEC, Hall 3, Birmingham.

You should be there because, aside from anything else, we have a fantastic line-up of Industry Speakers;  you will learn everything about running a healthy vending business, equipping yourself with knowledge on how to market health and wellbeing, how to be part of the changing consumer landscape and tasting fantastic products that are also good for you!  We’re also very excited that through our connections in the world of healthy, allergen-friendly and tasty foods, we will be bringing * NEW * products for * SAMPLING *.  Thing is, lovely people of vending, you have to be “in it to win it”. 

So, if the Fitness Industry can get themselves updated and educated on a regular basis, so can we as leaders in Vending.  Get booking as places are filling fast!

So, how about…  read this blog, watch the FitPro video, and then click the BEING HEALTHY 2013  link and head over to book your seat!

See you there!

The Friendly Vending Geeks at 24vend

Health and Vending - still no oxymoron!

Hello Vending Friends

This week we’re going to be talking health and vending; and not for the first time!  We’re really excited that we have released bookings for our 2^nd Being Healthy Conference taking place on 12^th June 2013 during AVEX at NEC in Birmingham. 

We hope that as you’ve taken the time to read our blog you’ll be curious enough to book a place at Being Healthy 2013 and get involved in the conversation.  Book early as space is limited.  We have an exciting line-up of Presenters and will also offering sampling of a range of  products that are *NEW to VENDING *

Here are the details for booking your seat at this not to be missed event.

Just to set the record straight, Being Healthy 2013 is not saying that traditional vending is bad; that would be bonkers and untrue.  In the same way, we strongly believe that there aren’t good and bad foods, but there are ways to eat and live more healthily.  Balance in your diet, lifestyle and activity levels make a massive contribution to feeling better and raising your levels of wellbeing.  So, just to be very clear, our long held belief is that Traditional and Healthy vending complement each other for the good of the consumer as well as being profitable for the vending industry.  That is the point of Being Healthy 2013.

Vending, as a consumer retail channel, has, of course, to make good business sense, that’s without question.   It also has to recognise responsibility for supporting its customers on their road to a healthy way of living; we must take our responsibilities seriously and with an open mind or prepare for “help” along the way in the form of rules, regulations or outright bans!  That may sound dramatic but deliberately so.   Do or be done to?  We know which we prefer!

Let’s face it; Vending has an image problem.  Those that have neither the time, interest nor inclination to understand what vending actually is (or can be!), take a swing at us by portraying vending as villains of the health landscape; sometimes introducing what we perceive as mad and crazy rules that limit our opportunities.   Vending needs to be on the offensive (in the sporting sense of the word) and show that we do “get” health, we do care about our consumers and that we are taking action.  That is the point of Being Healthy 2013.

We hope that this has whetted your appetite to join us on 12^th June 2013.  It promises to be a landmark day for Vending.  Being Healthy 2013 precedes the judging and showcasing of new vending products; created through a project pioneered by the AVA and with which 24vend is delighted to be associated.  The final year Culinary Arts BA degree students at University College Birmingham have accepted their challenge to create new and exciting healthy vending products addressing many of today’s consumer trends including levels of salt, sugar and fat, packaging and environmental considerations and, of course, affordability.

Reasons aplenty to book your place at Being Healthy 2013 and visiting AVEX.

See you there!

The Friendly Vending Geeks at 24vend