The Vending and Automated Retail Association will be holding a webinar on 13 June to discuss the Extended Producer Responsibility legislation in the UK and the implications for vending. The AVA Environment Committee’s summary paper for April 2023 highlighted key developments in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the UK. Under EPR, the government has decided that the entire cost of […]

New analysis by Oxfam claims big chocolate companies are failing to pay prices that support a living income for cocoa farmers in Ghana. The Oxfam survey of more than 400 cocoa farmers across Ghana found that their net incomes have fallen on average by 16 per cent since 2020, with women’s incomes falling by nearly 22 per cent. Nine out […]

The winners of the 2023 InnoBev Awards were announced on 16 May in an awards ceremony during the 2023 UK Soft Drinks Conference in London and online. Organised by the food and drink experts Zenith Global with support from category sponsors Saniton Plastic and Salomons & Partners, the seventh annual awards attracted 144 entries from soft drinks innovators worldwide. The […]

The vending and automated retail industry continues to show signs of recovery following a challenging two years, with almost 16% growth reported in the sector from 2021 to 2022, according to new research from AVA: The Vending & Automated Retail Association. The findings from the AVA’s annual Census for 2022, which consists of submissions from the operators of thousands of […]

Final preparations are being made ahead of The Vendies 2023 which will be held for the second time at the iconic Grand Connaught Rooms, in London, on 7 June, starting at 12pm. And now, after revealing our 2023 finalists, it’s time to book your tickets. Even if you are not in the running, this is an unmissable opportunity to network […]

Invenda Group AG, the specialist in next-generation automated retail, has announced a new partnership with Adyen, the global financial technology platform. The partnership furthers Invenda’s 360-approach to automated retail by incorporating a more efficient, streamlined, and cost-effective digital payments process. Adyen’s advanced technology will be incorporated to enable Invenda Wallet, a download-free web app that enables mobile shopping for consumers. […]

Coffee machine specialist Rhea’s futuristic AI operated Monolite, the concept machine designed by opera artist Davide Livermore and environmental photograph Simona Ghizzoni, has received the Good Design Award 2022. Selected among more than 900 design and graphic projects nominated from 47 countries, Monolite was included in the Retail Fittings category as an example of good design for the hospitality sector, […]

Hawco Limited, a leading distributor in the refrigeration industry has been sold to Bay Tree Private Equity LLP. The deal incorporating Abbeychart, well established in the liquid dispense industry, sees the business purchased by Bay Tree from previous owners of 20 years, Diploma PLC. The Hawco group sells a wide range of industry leading products and has rebounded strongly from […]

365 Retail Markets, the unattended retail technology specialist, has announced its acquisition of Kafoodle, a UK-based food technology company that specialises in menu and kitchen management, nutritional data, and allergy compliance. Adding Kafoodle’s technology into 365’s portfolio will complement the company’s existing offerings and enhance its ability to provide comprehensive solutions to its clients. The acquisition also expands 365 Retail […]

The Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP, Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, has signed the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) on behalf of the UK Government, strengthening the industry which contributes billions of pounds to the UK economy each year. The signing took place at the International Coffee Organization (ICO) headquarters in London, alongside an event organised by the […]