Since becoming the importer for the HLF range of bean to cup machines, The Brew Group have worked hard to ensure the machines have met market expectations. With vast improvements to cleaning cycles, bodywork modifications and general ease of use, the whole range is now in a very competitive position.

Already extremely popular around the world, the Let’s Pizza vending machine has finally arrived in theUK. Currently being installed in venues across the country, the pioneering technology is a cost-effective option for catering managers thanks to an innovative design which allows it to serve up freshly baked pizza around the clock – in just three minutes!

Soft drinks have once again demonstrated their resilience in spite of tough economic conditions, growing to £9.4bn according to the 2011 Britvic Soft Drinks Report published in March.

Take-home sales total £6.6 billion and growing by 6.6% in value. Impulse sales growth overtook the Grocery Multiples, as more consumers took advantage of ‘top up shops’ and single serve formats became more popular.

After what seemed like the longest winter in recent history, the sun has finally emerged victorious and consumers are thirstier than ever. Vending International takes a look back at 2010 to find out why the cold drinks market looks set for even hotter sales in 2011.

Soft drinks have once again demonstrated their resilience in spite of tough economic conditions, growing to £9.4bn - that's according to the 2011 Britvic Soft Drinks Report. Murray Harris, Customer Management Director, explains: “2010 was another a tough year for UK consumers, but soft drinks remained resilient. Although people were watching their pounds, they were still willing to spend a comparatively small amount on a soft drink, whether it’s at the train station on the way to work or at their local retailer on the way home from school."

With corporate and social responsibility (CSR) high on the agenda of many businesses, Lavazza is working hard to ensure that it can deliver against the expectations of ethically minded companies by providing a premium coffee product. Lavazza high quality solution ¡Tierra! provides the Lavazza taste that people love, while meeting Rainforest Alliance standards.

The UK soft drinks market grew overall by 1.7 per cent in 2009, according to figures in the British Soft Drinks Association’s 2010 UK Soft Drinks Report. The two previous years had seen slight falls, so this was a ‘welcome return to growth’ said the Association.

Total soft drinks consumption was 14,140 million litres, or 229.1 litres per person, with a retail value of £13.224 billion.

The road to sweet success!

We are a nation of confectionery lovers! Whether we turn to our favourite choice for a mid-day boost at work, for comfort, or a sporting moment – there is a time, and a snack, for all occasions. Stocking the right selection, and knowing what your customers want is crucial to ‘bagging’ sales opportunities and maintaining consistent momentum when it comes to sales.

Tayto Group Ltd have expanded rapidly over the last 5 years and is now positioned as a serious competitor in the market providing a comprehensive range of both branded and own label products. Brands within the company’s portfolio include Golden Wonder, Mr Porky Pork Scratchings, Real Crisps, Jonathan Crisp & Tayto NI.

According to FoodReference.com, Aztec emperor Montezuma drank 50 golden goblets of hot chocolate every day. It was thick, dyed red and flavoured with chilli peppers. Now a velvety brown, the drink has regained its natural colour, retained its air of indulgence and cut down on the calories!

Nestlé Toque d’Or®, the UK’s premier student catering competition, announces that the University College Birmingham has won the coveted title at the glittering 2010 awards ceremony, held on 16th July at the Dorchester, Park Lane, London.

In February last year, research published by the Tea Advisory Panel revealed that the caffeine consumed by typical tea-drinkers actually benefits the mind and the body. The study, published in the March 2009 issue of the British Foundation’s Nutrition Bulletin, showed that the caffeine obtained from the equivalent of one to eight cups of tea per day can improve alertness, short-term recall and reaction time, better mood and reduce levels of fatigue. In addition, the benefits of consuming modest amounts of caffeine, such as those present in tea, begin with the first cup of the day.

Highlights at Caffè Culture were the preview of their latest generation of coffee machines by Franke Coffee Systems. With its two main modules Pura pronto and Pura fresco, the Pura product line introduces many new options into its capacity class. Further innovations were presented in Franke milk systems and around flavoured coffee.