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!

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

Vending through the Looking Glass - curiouser and curiouser!

Last week was the EVA (European Vending Association) AGM and workshop.  Around 70 of Europe’s keenest Vending Professionals converged on Brussels to participate in energetic and topical conversations and issues affecting our industry. 

Whilst the AGM offered EVA members to understand more about the mechanics of its association, the Workshop offered the EVA the opportunity to learn more about what keeps their members awake at night!

It’s a very interesting time to be in the vending or unattended retailing world right now.  With so much technological change in the world, it’s curious in a very Alice through the Looking Glass kind of way. 

Vending is not new, particularly if you credit the ancient Greek Philosopher Hero with being the first in 215BC (or thereabouts!). Vending has come a long way baby and, until a few decades ago was way ahead of the field in terms of convenience and creating a “shopportunity” (if I may coin the phrase!) without directly involving a human to serve you.  Obviously, any humans involved with vending lurk before and after your engaging with the shopping or retail moment.  However, it’s probably fair to say that for most average vending moments, the technology leap that was so enjoyed in previous decades is now losing edge.   That’s an observation and not a criticism; it’s still a great way of shopping, just that there are rumbles in the vending jungle that it could be better.

That sense of “how can we make a great industry even better” was a theme in the room throughout the workshop and particularly apparent from all our guest speakers.

First up was David Hoskin, guru of vending data, who encouraged every active player in vending to get involved in providing insight and information.  In no other industry with the scale and breadth of vending would there be such paucity of qualified data.  It’s strange that everyone who cares wants the data to be accurate, on time and available and yet, those who seek it may, on occasion, be looking for the teeth of hens.  Anonymised and aggregated, this data has such power and insight that would surely help all of us to do our jobs better. 

Key message for us was “get involved”.

Second to the Podium was David Kirby from PWC, the global powerhouse of consulting.  A wide set of insights, case studies and market knowledge not limited to our own industry but others from which we can all learn.  Customer and consumer knowledge that can help shape our industry to be even greater.  Was a fantastic 20 minutes of information sharing, the likes of which can inform and shape business strategies. 

Key message for us was “know more, do more, achieve more”.

Our third guest speaker wasn’t called David and once we had all overcome that disappointment (!), it was great to listen to Rod O’Shea from Intel who was travelling with some of his team.  They work with a wide range of industries and again had data and customer/consumer insights that were incredibly thought provoking.  The giant touch screen vending machine on trial at a US Campus caused a lot of discussion and not just about its cost!  I don’t think anyone in the room was unconvinced that theatre in vending is a good thing; people were just grappling with how to make it work in their parish! 

Key message for us was “times are changing except perhaps not quickly enough in vending”.

This all sounds a little gloomy, but as we’ve said on many occasions, all issues are really opportunities in disguise.  The tension we feel between working in a technical industry and the fact that we aren’t necessarily able to embrace current technology quickly and effectively isn’t a bad thing.  There will be a game-changer out there for vending and the discussions last week show us that people care enough to try and find it!   

Let’s think back to Stephen Hawkings at the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony and the quotation I gave you then “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Be curious”

Let us know what you think - be part of the conversation