Revolutionising The Way We Snack In The Workplace
By David Llewellyn, chief executive of The AVA.
We’ve seen the way we work undergo a massive step change in recent years that’s affected everything from where we work to how often we’re in the workplace. And it’s also had an impact on office catering.
The AVA’s recent census reveals that Business & Industry now accounts for 51% of the vending industry’s turnover by sector. A drop from 70% in 2018. This shift highlights how much has changed in a short space of time, and what challenges facilities managers are facing as they continually adapt to changing needs and expectations at the office.
Flexibility Meets Quality With Micro‑Markets
Technically, micro‑markets use advanced POS systems that integrate seamlessly with various payment methods. This allows users to pay for their goods in a way that suits them, without making the system confusing or time consuming. These systems also mean FMs face lower labour costs, saving money and time. They also have access to the real‑time data produced by the micro‑market, ensuring they can keep it well stocked and minimising stock errors or wasted product.
The AVA census reveals that there are 660 active installations of micro‑markets across the UK. This growth reflects their effectiveness in meeting the dual demands of convenience and quality in the modern workplace.
Making Efficient Use Of Smart Fridges
An extension of the micro‑market concept, smart fridges have seen a massive 190% increase since 2022, according to our census. These units combine IoT technology with traditional refrigeration, allowing for secure, self‑service access to chilled items.
For facilities managers, smart fridges offer significant advantages. For a start, they track inventory in real‑time, reducing waste and ensuring freshness. Energy efficiency is another key benefit, with door sensors and adaptive cooling systems minimising power consumption.
That makes them a low‑maintenance, high‑value amenity that caters to the ever‑changing schedules of hybrid workers.
The Rise Of Bean‑To‑Cup Coffee
The office coffee experience has also undergone a transformation. Bean‑to‑cup vending has seen a 22% rise over the past decade, now sharing the market equally with fresh brew and instant options. Additionally, coffee‑to‑go machines have increased by 7% in the past year alone.
For facilities managers, investing in high‑quality coffee solutions is crucial for getting a competitive edge over the high street vendors. After all, a good office coffee experience is going to keep workers onsite. With IoT connectivity for remote monitoring and maintenance, ensuring consistent quality and minimising downtime, the modern bean‑to‑cup coffee machine offers the perfect solution.
In many ways, these coffee machines are a facility manager’s best friend. They can even be programmed to offer a wide range of different coffees, catering to individual preferences and dietary requirements, and adding a layer of personalisation to the experience.
Enhancing Workplace Experiences With New Tech
As hybrid work models become the norm, facilities managers must focus on solutions that enhance the overall workplace experience. The latest vending technologies, with integrated management systems, offer a powerful means to achieve this goal, not least because they can be seamlessly incorporated into broader smart building systems, contributing to a more connected, more personal and more efficient workplace ecosystem.
It’s clear, then, that this evolving landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. But by creating more attractive, efficient, and user‑centric work environments, facilities managers will cater to the changing needs of today’s workforce – and produce a workplace in which employees will actively want to spend their time.
