Certainly, stagflation will be having serious effects on vending, and that is why I make no apologies for covering finance and the economy in two sections of this issue of the magazine.

Firstly, a feature on Finance and Leasing includes a piece on credit lines and another about how to access the latest technology without the need for costly IT investment. Secondly, Kevin Reed is back, with the second article in his series in which he talks about interest rates and introduces us (or, at least, me!) to LIBOR - the London Interbank Offered Rate.

Bites with buzz. It could only happen in America - or could it! They are getting increasingly excited over there about performance confectionery - sweets and chews with an added buzz - a sector claimed to be growing at 40 per cent per year and having an impact on vending.

While the rest of the world is battling ahead with ‘healthy' confectionery products, on the other side of the Atlantic they are additionally looking at a potential new market - energy confectionery.

One of the larger brands is Buzz Bites chocolate energy chews. One small, individually wrapped cube, it is claimed, contains more caffeine than a strong cup of coffee; 25 per cent more than a can of energy drink like Red Bull; the equivalent of three cans of cola; and the same as 14 caffeinated mints. The resultant energy boost is claimed to last for hours.

Made by Vroom Foods, apparently well known in retail circles, the product is available to vending through the worryingly-named Mad Dog Energy Products (a company set up by a pair of experienced vending operators) which also provides branded machines, holding 160 chews. The 50 cent vend price is claimed to incorporate a 233 per cent mark-up! Energy-boosting Foosh Mints, from the same manufacturer, are expected to follow Buzz Bites into vending soon.

But it's not just one organisation that's fuelling the energy boost drive. The giant Mars Snackfood US has introduced Snickers Charged, a limited edition of its famous bar that is said to provide a boost of energy, with 60mg if added caffeine, taurine and B-vitamins. Otherwise, the familiar ingredients - nougat, peanuts, caramel and milk chocolate - are all there. It is available to the vending market in the US.

Is there a Mad Dog Energy Products equivalent over here to start the ball rolling?

Feedback is great - thanks for all the (totally favourable, I'm relieved to say) comments about the new ‘Vending Star Chamber' idea. I'm delighted for the 10 members that their carefully constructed comments on the future of AVEX in the last issue were obviously well-read and well-received.

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