Coffee time?

Ah, belated we know but HAPPY 2014!

Is it coffee time where you are right now?  Things are definitely bubbling away in the percolator of interest in coffee, vending and big brands right now.


In case you haven't heard the latest, the Big Red has purchased a 10% stake in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters; ostensibly to create a brave new world of cold drinks via pods (that's going to be some very interesting R&D for sure!); the Keurig Cold Platform (sounds like an abandoned UK station to me….).  Not sure if that will rock, roll and rumble into the world of hot drinks, but let's watch and wait with interest…

Of course, the Big Green mermaid of coffee (or more accurately, milk!) long ago declared their interest in office coffee and is marching full steam ahead in their alliance with Selecta.  So they have definitely pinned their colours to the veritable mast of vending…  and in the technology corner we have the oft discussed and much critiqued Costa Express...

Boys and Girls of vending… the big brands "get" coffee - in fact, they have probably done as much to craft a growing global coffee habit as anyone (although coffee shops have been around a long, long time - just without the wifi, fancy sofas and complicated ordering procedures!).  Looks like they are now "getting" vending; even if they don't want to call it that…  (I'm a gourmet on the go, don't you know!) and the fact that people (mostly) buy brands means that we in vending really need to "get" coffee; with all its fancy names and swirly art… our playground is getting full and if you're not already talking like a Barista, maybe it's time you were!

To close, how about this playlist to keep you on topic!

Make good choices - and excellent coffee :)

The Friendly Vending Geeks wishing you a good day

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

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

Back in the USSR?

Hello everyone

Before you all cry out, we know it's not called the USSR anymore, but no matter your age, it's likely that John, Paul, George and Ringo made that phrase very popular when they released their single of the same name in 1968!

And, here we are; back in the (now named) Russian Federation, Moscow to be precise.  Enjoying the sights and sounds of 21st Century vending and unattended retailing at EEVEX being held at the Crocus Exhibition Centre and supported by the Russian vending association RNVA.  Clearly, if you are a native Russian speaker, here's your link to EEVEX!  There is another show this week managed and presented by the Vending Press.  For such a small market (relatively!), it is strange that there are 2 shows... however, I'm sure there are reasons for it!  If you are going this week, send us some pictures and we can share via our blog!

Having first visited Russia over a decade ago, it's clear that change is ever present!  From the automated machines selling you train tickets (touch screen, 6 languages) to the increasing choice through more traditional vending machines, it's quite a happening place.

Here are a few snaps from our visit, and a few comments on what's going we saw, felt and learned as we drive our mission to Make Vending Better!

Get in touch if you want to know more

The Friendly Vending Geeks, Gillian & Neil

Live long... and prosper

Good Weekend Vending People!

A slight aside from Vending Tourism, I read an article recently describing 10 ways to live longer.  Obviously very topical in the UK at the moment where rarely a week goes by describing our toxic lifestyles and the very perils of being mere mortals!

So, in the spirit of sharing and educating, I've created a little survey (if you click on the link) that highlights the 10 ways that were suggested to us for longevity in the UK.  It really will only take a minute and it's a little bit of fun!  Completely anonymous and maybe an opportunity to reflect (honestly and privately!) about your lifestyle.

To all our non-Brit friends, feel free to take part too - everyone's welcome.

I'll publish the results in a month or so; to let you know just how healthy we are!

Even Spock may not have been spared as (and here's a geek-filled fact) he's half human and half vulcan!  Live Long and Prosper!

Another day, another report?

Another day.  Another report on the state of the UK’s health.  The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which represents nearly ever doctor in the UK, has deemed ballooning waistlines a “huge crisis” and made a number of recommendations to drive lifestyle changes that they believe will undo the current state of affairs. Amongst their recommendations is the old chestnut close to the heart of anyone in the vending industry; a ban on vending machines in hospitals.

Let me say, straight up, that there is no denial about the situation.  26% of the adult population of the UK categorised as obese* (based on BMI**) is not good news.  But bans on vending machines?  Really?  And what of the retail outlets in the same hospitals – ban those too?   

Of course hospitals should be places of health, wellbeing and education to support all of us in a healthy lifestyle.  However, removing a few vending machines could be seen as merely window “undressing”.  There it was, gone!  Actually, would it not be better to stock machines with different products and support people through education? 

Interestingly, 24vend were involved in some research where sales from vending machines located in a busy city NHS hospital were tracked (via a telemetry system) over a period of a month.  No surprise that the peak of sales occurred consistently at 8pm and 2am when all other forms of refreshment were probably unmanned or unavailable.  Convenience is at the heart of vending and those who were hungry at 8pm and 2am (I would take an educated guess) were not unwell patients being mended and made better, but the amazing NHS staff who were working long and arduous shifts at anti-social hours.  Remove vending and then what?

The report goes some way to parallel the food environment with that of tobacco.  Whilst, we’re here to think about vending, I would just make the comment that whilst you don’t need to smoke; you do need to eat and drink.    That’s why the staff in the hospital were buying things in the dark hours of the night; they were working and needed refreshment!

So, our message today is that we know too many people in the UK are not as healthy as they ought to be and that things need to change.  However, banning without intelligent conversation on how things could be different is missing a massive opportunity.  There is huge good work going on in the global vending community supporting people on their journey to better lifestyles.  If any of you are thinking of attending AVEX this year, there will be an entire day dedicated to the topic of health and wellbeing; save the date - June 12th 2013, NEC Hall 3. Birmingham. A day that was planned a long time before this report came to light!  Get in touch if you want to know more.

So, let’s not be lazy and just ban things we think aren’t right; let’s enter into good old thrust and parry, intelligent debate and drive change.  We love to talk vending, health and innovation!

So, on that note, I’m off to the gym!

*OECD statistics 2012

**BMI is a calculation of weight/height ratio 

Nothing more certain...

Than death, or taxes... or so the saying goes.

Today, in the UK at least, there is news in some way related to both and here we go again if you like.  The idea of taxing products that are believed to contribute to the ever burgeoning problem of Obesity.

It's tricky...

It's also very complicated to unravel the environmental, behavioural and situational factors that cause human beings to be larger than might otherwise be good for them.  In its complexity comes the desire to create simple solutions that can, if you'll excuse the metaphor, lead the horse to water ie help people to lead healthier lifestyles.

We're not for a moment going to add any theories to that debate, save to say, that taxation may or may not work.  Denmark looked at a "fat tax", brought it on to the statute books and then gave it up.  Hungary has a similar taxation scheme (on high fat, sugar and salt products), which they seem to have implemented to be workable.

Bravo if the tax that is paid can be used to educate, inform and provide; Educate consumers of all ages on the ways to lead a healthy lifestyle, including cooking and shopping skills to "make from scratch".
Inform consumers of the reality of their choices; just because a product contains fruit or vegetables doesn't always guarantee it's nutritional "cleanliness" - the ability to look beyond the obvious, particularly in small font on the back of a packet, is tricky, nay almost impossible to the untrained observer
Providing good school meals (that children will eat!), enabling access to well priced and high quality produce isn't as easy as it sounds.  Without the foundation of education and information, it could all be for nought.  Oh, and let's not forget the thorny issue of Olympic Legacy.  As someone who gave so much time to volunteer at London 2012, it is disheartening to continue to read of the poor provision of sport, competitive or not, at many of the UK's schools.

Well, to avoid further political debate, let's see what all this means for vending...

If there is a tax on certain products that are popular, there are choices; increase the price to the consumer and take the business impact; certainly that is possible, if not palatable.  Alternatively, is it time to look to offer the consumer more choice?  For vending, as a channel, to do its bit to help consumers on their route to a healthier lifestyle? Man cannot live by bread alone, so a broader selection of products may just be what the doctor ordered.

If you're interested at all in looking beyond the obvious current menus you offer, then perhaps our conference "Being Healthy 13" should be in your diary.  Taking place on June 12th from 10:30 to 12:30 at NEC, we hope to see lots of you taking part in the conversation.  We will be taking bookings for the conference from late February 2013 and will, of course, keep you posted.

Definitely a topic for #talkTuesday, so let us know what you're thinking

Stay well, stay healthy

The Friendly Vending Geeks
Gillian & Neil

NY NY?

Well, happy 2013 to one and all!  For those humming to themselves "New York, New York; so good they named it twice", you're close, but no cigar!

New Year - New You!  Even though we are but 2 weeks into 2013, it's been hard to escape endless articles about how this year is going to be THE year that you, me and everyone else can change.... seemingly, even if we neither need nor want "change", there's plenty of advice out there.

So, you may ask, what has this to do with our favourite topic, VENDING? Well, our industry is impacted by economic, social and environmental factors just as much as any other.  Changes or trends that are alive and kicking on the High Street, Wall Street or Fleet Street will affect us sooner or later.

Taking a punt at what that might mean for 2013, here are 24vend's predictions for the winds of change in vending!!

Consolidation - happening everywhere!  Some of you who follow us on twitter would have seen our little joke on 21st December (the day that, according to some who follow the Mayan calendar, the world would end) that whilst the world hadn't ended Crane had made moves to purchase MEI.  So, we predict there will be more changes like this...  ears to the ground, and all that!

Health and Wellbeing - well this truly will run and run although, of course, if we were all running and running, we might not be in this pickle!  Perhaps pickles will be proven to be the way forward in 2013, but we doubt that very much...  we won't bore you with numbers, but the fact is too many of us are carrying a bit of extra timber and life seemingly conspires to prevent the local lumberjack from making a dent on the excess.  We predict more debates about how to get more people moving more often; how to limit our excesses; how to educate us with labelling schemes (that still confuddle and confuse!) and etc.... Surely, lest we forget, there will be the old chestnut of taxation to cure all ills when everything else doesn't work...  personally, we're hoping to see some exciting new products that will tempt, taste and teach us that eating can still be fun whilst being healthy and genuinely good for us!  Oh, and remember, move a bit more (thanks!)

Social, digital and mobile - well, cash will always be King but it's true that it's probably surrounded by the elegant Queens and Princesses of cashless.  Everyone's talking mobile wallet and the rise and rise of smartphones and tablets cannot be denied.   With retailers beginning their journey of tablet as cash register/till, it's no surprise.  All that computing power in such small and mighty packages enables an internet of things as well as business solutions.  In other news, tablets and screens are being touted as the great saviours of vending (by some quarters at least).  Getting the integration right and cost structures sorted will definitely help this but (hold the front page!), maybe not as fast in vending as in more established retail.  "Slow and steady, when we're ready", we reckon!

Sustainability - in its broadest sense and across machines, ingredients and the manner in which we operate.  With corporate social responsibility high on political and economic agendas, vending will make progress; at varying rates and with different strategies but truly, vending does "get" it and will make it work!

So, we aren't fortune-tellers, but that's our two-penneth.  We'd love to know what you think, so feel free to get in touch with us.

Otherwise, good people of the vending village, all the very best for 2013!

Gillian & Neil
The Friendly Vending Geeks at 24vend

Brussels, anyone? Brussels!

Well hello all you good people in the Vending Village

With just a couple of weeks before the great end of year festivities, it seems only fitting that today's blog is all about Brussels...  

Entrée:  Brussel Sprouts

The Brussels sprout is a cultivar in the Gemmifera group of cabbages (Brassica oleracea), grown for its edible buds. The leafy green vegetables are typically 2.5–4 cm (0.98–1.6 in) in diameter and look like miniature cabbages. Apparently (and we have not verified this fact with our friends in Belgium), the Brussels sprout has long been popular in Brussels, Belgium and may have originated there.  What we do know is that they are better after a sharp overnight frost and that they somewhat divisive!  Love them or hate them, they appear on Christmas menus across the UK

Après:  Brussels served in the style of EU

The place where EU regulations and other such jolly tomes are created.  Currently, we are grappling with Regulation 1169/2011, Food information for Consumers.  Whilst this may be briefly inconvenient and thought-provoking for the vending industry, it bodes well for the consumer.  Many of you may know that we have a Coeliac consumer at 24vend for whom all things gluten are pretty unpleasant.  Gluten is just one of the 14 allergens with which we need to grapple.  Everyone’s favourite allergen has to be the Lupin (Lupinous for those out there who love a little bit of Latin before breakfast!).  Any road up, 24vend believe that this regulation is a little bit of Newton; for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction ie an issue is just an opportunity in disguise…  So to our friends in Brussels, we embrace you, gluten, shellfish, lupin and more! 

Enfin:  Brussels served in the style of EVA

If you’re not planning to be at this week’s EVA AGM and Workshop, get booking.  The agenda is brimful of topics that are important to our industry and we should all be part of the conversation.   It’s no secret that 24vend will be there and that part of our agenda is to find the amazing chocolate train that we showed you a few weeks ago.  We will, of course, be blogging and tweeting the news, so if business is keeping you busy elsewhere, you need look no further; happy to be of service.

Anyway,  whatever you’re up to this week, we hope it’s successful and advendturous!

From the friendly Vending Geeks – go Brussels, go!