Refreshment focuses on the water dispenser/cooler, office coffee service and vending sectors, while also taking an in-depth look into products for vending from bottled water and drinks, to snacks and confectionery. It also focuses on hydration, health and wellness, new technologies and environmental and social responsibility issues.
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Research
Coffee & tea
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Exclusives
Beyond thirst: Key takeaways from the UK Soft Drinks Conference 2026
The 26th annual UK Soft Drinks Conference took place on 12 May 2026 in London. From circular economy efforts to premium functional beverage opportunities, we delve into the highlights.
AI, automation and sustainability take centre stage at Venditalia 2026
Automation, frictionless retail and sustainability emerged as defining themes at Venditalia 2026, as the vending and unattended retail sectors gathered in Rimini, Italy, to showcase the technologies shaping the future of consumer convenience.
Interview: Connect Vending’s Elyas Coutts on the rise of healthy workplace vending in the UK
Connect Vending's CEO, Elyas Coutts, discusses how employee expectations are shifting, which healthier categories are performing best and how technologies such as micro-markets and smart fridges are reshaping workplace refreshments.
Hospitality solutions: Automation drives efficiency in beverage service
Economic uncertainty, rising costs and inflation are squeezing the hospitality sector – and operators are turning to new technology to stay ahead.
Start-up spotlight: Elder Water
FoodBev speaks to James Gould-Porter, founder of Elder Water, a new British spring water brand that uses a closed-loop glass bottle system to help hospitality operators reduce single-use packaging.
Behind the scenes: Premium and ‘better4you’ beverage innovation at Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages’ global R&D hub
On a visit to the Nestlé's NPTC in Vittel, France, FoodBev’s Rafaela Sousa gets a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people, processes and cutting-edge technologies driving innovation, sustainability and consumer-led product development.
Rethinking the 'mature' water dispense market
Akos Petri, managing director of Zenith Global Commercial, explains how operators that focus on strengthening their core business, creating more value from existing customers and expanding into higher-growth segments are the ones outperforming the market.
Grounds for change: GLP-1 is reshaping coffee consumption
GLP-1 use is changing coffee habits, with consumers drinking less but more deliberately, focusing on ingredients, timing and functional value. Stephanie Hoffman, Bulletproof’s vice president of operations, explains more.
Payment preferences: How vending operators can stay ahead in a fast-changing market
Today’s consumers expect speed, convenience and flexibility in every transaction. But with bricks-and-mortar retail stepping up its game, can progressive payment technology help vending operators to stay competitive? Refreshment's Bryony Andrews explores.
2026 outlook: How the vending and water sectors are shaping a smarter, more sustainable future
Representatives from the Automatic Vending Association (AVA), the European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA), the Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA) and Zenith Global offer their insights into how technology, consumer behaviour and legislation will shape the future of automated retail and hydration.
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