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

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!