Urban Eat has introduced Smart Retail Solution, a self-contained food-to-go unit with a chiller and pre-programmed microwave, aimed at helping retailers maximise sales for the brand’s micro-snacking range. The complete microwavable range from Urban Eat is showcased in a glass-fronted chiller, making it easy for customers to choose their items. After making their selection, users can then use the integrated microwave. It comes pre-programmed with Urban Eat’s micro-snacking range, providing a quality meal within 40 seconds. In addition, the Smart Retail Solution includes a built-in digital screen that provides product details to assist customers in making their selections. Anna Bond, senior customer marketing manager at Fresh Food For Now, the parent company of Urban Eat, said: “We are so excited to be able to offer our new innovative concept to operators. The Smart Retail Solution reflects our dedication to enhancing the food-to-go experience for both retailers and consumers”. She continued: “When in development, we listened to both parties to create something that would solve retailer’s current shopfloor obstacles, maximise sales potential across day parts and offer a quick and easy way to consume our great tasting products. This space-saving, easy-to-operate appliance is exactly what we are calling it – a smart retail solution.” #FreshFoodForNow #UK #UrbanEat

In a step towards achieving its vision of a circular economy for packaging, Coca-Cola HBC has inaugurated a new recycled plastic (rPET) production facility in Romania. A bottling partner to The Coca-Cola Company, HBC is now poised to deliver nearly 50% rPET usage across its EU and Swiss markets by the end of 2023 – an achievement which comes ahead of the 2025 deadline set by the UNESDA circular packaging vision for EU markets. This project, which followed an €11 million investment, including €3.5 million of state aid, showcases Coca-Cola HBC’s commitment to sustainability. Coca-Cola HBC Romania, through this facility, is now producing rPET in-house, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality rPET for its 100% recycled bottle portfolio. Romania has now become the first market within the Coca-Cola HBC Group to harmonise three key pillars of circularity: deploying 100% recycled bottles across its entire portfolio, establishing an in-house rPET production facility, and gearing up for the launch of a deposit return scheme (DRS) to facilitate the collection of bottles and cans for further recycling. This latest project sees Coca-Cola HBC Romania as the first beverage producer in the market to produce rPET in-house and marks the third rPET decontamination facility in operation across Coca-Cola HBC’s markets. In 2022, Coca-Cola HBC made strides by utilising 22% of rPET plastic across its EU and Swiss markets, demonstrating a substantial commitment to environmentally responsible practices. With this new investment and ongoing transitions to recycled bottle portfolios in markets such as Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Ireland and Northern Ireland, Coca-Cola HBC is well on track to achieve nearly 50% rPET utilisation in EU and Swiss markets by the close of 2023. The opening of the new facility is in line with Coca-Cola HBC’s dedication to achieving net-zero emissions throughout its value chain by 2040. As packaging accounts for approximately one-third of Coca-Cola HBC’s carbon footprint, the company has prioritised its efforts to reduce emissions and create a more sustainable future. The benefits of producing food-grade rPET are manifold, with one of the most significant being a substantial reduction in emissions across the entire value chain. Bottles crafted from recycled PET have an 80% lower carbon footprint compared to virgin PET resin. Moreover, the production line powering the rPET facility operates on 100% renewable energy sources, reinforcing Coca-Cola HBC’s commitment to clean and sustainable manufacturing practices. Over the past two years, Coca-Cola HBC has invested a total of €377 million in sustainability initiatives that align with its corporate agenda. Remarkably, since 2010, while global emissions have been on the rise, Coca-Cola HBC has managed to halve its direct emissions and achieve Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO of Coca-Cola HBC, commented: “I’m very proud of the progress we are seeing in our sustainability agenda and our mission to create a world without waste. At Coca-Cola HBC, our purpose is to ‘Open Up Moments that Refresh us All’ and this means that, beyond the functional refreshment that we provide, we strive to refresh our communities and the environment through the work that we do.” He added: “We are working to produce and deliver our drinks in more sustainable ways and in packaging that has a life beyond its initial use – and Romania is a great example of how we can work collaboratively with our stakeholders and the wider industry to create a circular economy for packaging”. #rPET #circulareconomy #Romania #CocaColaHBC #bottling #TheCocaColaCompany

Ecotone, an organic and plant-based food producer, has opened the doors to what the company claims is the largest 100% organic coffee and tea factory in Europe. The company, which owns brands across seven countries, has launched La Caféière with a €10 million investment to meet the growing demand for quality, organic hot drinks. With financial support from the European Union and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, La Caféière represents part of Ecotone’s global ‘Food for Biodiversity’ mission to meet the highest environmental and sustainability standards. According to Ecotone, La Caféière’s roasting smoke burner cuts CO2 emissions by 30% compared with traditional methods. Through green energy, wetland water management, 100% LED lighting and photovoltaic roof panels, the plant is designed to make the production of tea and coffee as sustainable as possible, with the aim to improve the standards of sustainability globally. The factory also operates a 100% circularity policy: 85% of total leftover materials are recycled or reused in compost and 15% are incinerated with energy recovery. Ecotone said that La Caféière’s suppliers operate agricultural practices that go beyond traditional organic standards. This includes the diversity of plant species grown per plot, fair income for small producers and positive action by partner cooperatives to combat deforestation in their areas. More than 60% of La Caféière’s sales will now be through Fairtrade certified products. The aim is to achieve over 70% Fair Trade coffee and tea within two years. The factory will produce 100 tonnes of tea annually and receive 3200 tonnes of organic coffee each year, with 5.5 million units of organic coffee sold annually. #Ecotone #EU

Primo Water has entered into a definitive agreement with Culligan International which will acquire a significant portion of Primo’s international businesses in a $575 million cash transaction. Primo, a provider of sustainable drinking water solutions in North America and Europe, said it will follow a more simplified operation with a greater focus on its North American water business following the transaction. The transaction excludes the Aimia Foods, United Kingdom, Portugal, and Israel businesses, but each of these will be sold across 2024. Primo will also accelerate the achievement of several previously announced 2024 targets, including improvements in adjusted gross margins, and earnings before tax adjustments. The company also claims that the transaction will allow it the financial flexibility to pursue organic growth and engage in “strategic opportunities complementary and adjacent to its core North American water business”. The deal would also allow the company to retain a diversified business mix across Water Dispensers, Water Direct, Water Exchange, Water Refill, and Water Filtration, as well as a balanced mix of residential and commercial customers. Tom Harrington, CEO of Primo Water, said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement that we believe unlocks significant value for Primo Water shareowners. The transaction simplifies and focuses Primo Water on our core North American water business. Looking ahead, we will be laser-focused on growing the North American business, increasing our profitability and margins, enhancing our balance sheet strength, and returning capital to shareowners.” The transaction is expected to close by the end of December 2023, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The closing transaction is not subject to any financing conditions.

BlueTriton Brands has announced the appointment of Joey Bergstein as its chief executive officer, effective 28 November 2023. Bergstein will step down from his role as the CEO at Sabra Dipping Company, a US-based producer of hummus and guacamole, a position he has held since 2021. Before joining Sabra, Bergstein held the position of senior vice president at Diageo from 2003 to 2011. Prior to that, he served as VP of marketing and VP of global business development at Molson Coors from 2001 to 2003. Bergstein said: “I’m honoured to bring my experience to bear at BlueTriton, where we are working to build a better water company and be a force for good. We have an amazing responsibility to help conserve, protect and responsibly package our natural resources for the long term while providing healthy hydration to millions. I am excited for the next chapter of BlueTriton and look forward to building on our foundation and positioning it for long-term growth and success.” Dean Metropoulos, chairman of BlueTriton’s board of directors, commented: “With more than 30 years of experience building and leading iconic consumer goods brands focused on sustainability, governance and corporate culture, Joey embodies what it means to be a purpose-driven CEO. His ability to help companies achieve commercial success while making a meaningful difference in the world is perfectly aligned with BlueTriton’s leadership priorities and principles.” Kimberly D. Reed, member of BlueTriton’s board of directors, added: “Joey has a proven ability to enhance businesses by establishing a clear strategy, building trust and driving results for stakeholders. The combination of his background leading sustainability-focused brands and his expertise in the consumer and beverage space makes him the ideal leader for BlueTriton as we look to differentiate ourselves within the category and continue to grow.” #BlueTritonBrands

GlobalConnect has announced the acquisition of Theft Detective, an automated video monitoring system designed for unattended retail environments. Theft Detective's patent-pending hardware integrates seamlessly with existing self-checkout kiosks, eliminating the need for expensive and disruptive system overhauls. It allows vending operators and their clients to identify and address theft "in a fraction of the time taken with traditional security cameras," said GlobalConnect. Theft Detective uses advanced AI to detect suspicious activity and provides instant notifications to operators or one-site security teams, minimising theft and associated losses. Jeff Whitacre, CEO of GlobalConnect, said: "We're excited to welcome Theft Detective to GlobalConnect's portfolio of vending and market technology products. This groundbreaking technology – automated micro market theft deterrence – perfectly aligns with our mission to empower vending operators with solutions that enhance efficiency and profitability." "Theft Detective will be a game-changer for unattended retail environments, providing much-needed security and automation, along with real savings." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. #GlobalConnect #TheftDetective

Design agency Layer has introduced Pebble, a new coffee machine for Korean coffee brand Kanu. Designed to "perfect" the Americano, Pebble is the third coffee machine that the London-based firm has created for Kanu. Available in off-white and charcoal grey, Pebble features a soft-touch polymer with gloss and satin finishes. The machine design is said to enhance the Americano experience, presenting the cup on an elevated drip tray. This user-friendly design includes a tactile interface on the top, ensuring seamless operation. Benjamin Hubert, founder of Layer, said: “Coffee is one of life’s little joys, and with Pebble, we look to elevate that experience in an affordable way. By combining a visually desirable form with an intuitive UI, we have reimagined the coffee machine as a lifestyle accessory capable of creating the perfect Americano.” #Pebble #Kanu

King Kongin has unveiled three new flavours for its energy drink line-up: Peach Mango, Blue Raspberry and Watermelon Strawberry. The additions come with a redesigned packaging featuring vibrant colours, set to debut this summer. King Kongin's new flavours contain zero sugar, calories, carbs and artificial colours. Each drink packs 200mg of natural caffeine from tea and essential vitamins, catering to those seeking a boost of energy without compromising on taste or health benefits. Myra Dulac, CEO of King Kongin, said: “The new flavours in our energy drink line-up are designed to support [consumers] during busy days and for working out. You will love the new beverage redesign, flavour enhancements and the new flavours to give consumers the energy they need to fuel their fun.” #KingKongin #US

Stuart, a specialist in last-mile tech logistics, has announced a partnership with delivery orchestration platform Nash to optimise local delivery operations for merchants in restaurants, grocery, retail and e-commerce sectors across Europe. Nash’s dispatch strategies and automation technology will integrate with Stuart’s network of independent courier partners, offering businesses improved digital ordering and delivery management. The partnership aims to provide enhanced visibility and control over the entire delivery process, catering to both recurring and one-off deliveries while adapting to changing demand. Cornelia Raportaru, CEO of Stuart, said: “The capability to tailor delivery to suit the unique size, reach, and needs of any one business is key to achieving success and sustainable growth. We’re excited to be starting a new chapter with Nash, combining our logistics and technology abilities to improve the delivery experience for both businesses and consumers.” Mahmoud Ghulman, co-founder and CEO of Nash, added: “Partnering with Stuart, one of Europe's leading last-mile tech logistics specialists, is key as Nash powers last-mile orchestration for more merchants, marketplaces and platforms across the globe. Through this partnership, we can further build upon our mission to give every individual business the control and multi-modal capacity they need to optimise, automate, manage and scale their last-mile logistics." #Stuart #Nash #Europe

Unilever-owned spread brand Marmite has teamed up with Marks & Spencer to launch a cheddar cheese and Marmite skillet sandwich. The sandwich features soft, vitamin-D-enriched white bread, a Marmite cream cheese spread and Marks & Spencer’s British farmhouse cheddar cheese. Melissa Wimble, UK&I licensing manager at Unilever, said: “We have a track record of creating disruptive and delicious Marmite products with Marks & Spencer, and we can’t wait for shoppers to take a bite of the new cheddar cheese and Marmite skillet sandwich. Marks & Spencer sandwiches rate number one on quality, and this already popular at-home sandwich filling has been perfected to join the retailer’s lunchtime offering." “Within the food-to-go category, innovation and stand-out design are big drivers of trial, especially amongst younger consumers. We also know more people are looking for tasty and affordable vegetarian lunchtime options. As a result, we’re expecting this product to introduce a new generation to the simple joys of Marmite at any time of day.” The new sandwich is available in all Marks & Spencer stores nationwide for £2.00. #MarksandSpencer #Unilever #Marmite #UK

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its first semi-annual coffee report for 2024. The report projects global coffee production for 2024/25 to increase by 7.1 million bags from the previous year to reach 176.2 million, driven mainly by Brazil's ongoing recovery and increased output from Indonesia. Due to increased supplies, global exports are anticipated to rise by 3.6 million bags to 123.1 million, driven primarily by robust shipments from Indonesia and Brazil. The USDA says that consumption is projected to increase by 3.1 million bags to 170.6 million, and ending stocks are expected to grow by 1.9 million bags to 25.8 million after declining for three consecutive years. Coffee production occurs predominantly in tropical countries, while consumption is concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the European Union and the US. According to the USDA, Brazil's combined arabica and robusta harvest is expected to increase by 3.6 million bags, while Indonesia's output is projected to rise by nearly 2.8 million bags. Production in Vietnam, the world's second-largest coffee grower, was reported to be stable at 29 million bags, with over 95% of its total output remaining as robusta. Regional overview The report highlights Brazil's pivotal role as the world's largest coffee producer, with a forecasted arabica and robusta output of 69.9 million bags for the 2024/25 season. Despite Brazil's recovery, challenges such as high temperatures impacting cherry development have tempered expectations slightly from previous highs. Colombia, the second-largest arabica producer globally, is anticipated to produce 12.4 million bags of coffee, marking a slight increase but still below peak levels due to heightened infestations of the coffee cherry borer insect. The country has faced significant production fluctuations in recent years, stemming from weather extremes and economic factors affecting fertiliser use. Meanwhile, Vietnam, known for its robust robusta production, is expected to maintain stable output at 29.0 million bags. The report notes that while robusta remains resilient in Vietnam, adverse weather conditions, including delayed rainy seasons and above-average temperatures, have affected yields. Production in Central America and Mexico is projected to increase by 300,000 bags to reach 16.6 million bags, predominantly driven by arabica beans, which make up 95% of the total output. Nicaragua anticipates a substantial rise of nearly 300,000 bags to reach 2.7 million bags, while Mexico is expected to see a more modest gain of 30,000 bags, totalling 3.9 million bags. Meanwhile, production levels are expected to remain unchanged in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama. Bean exports for the region are forecasted to rise by 500,000 bags to 13.4 million bags, supported by slightly increased supplies and an anticipated reduction in stocks. Combined arabica and robusta harvest in Indonesia is projected to increase significantly by nearly 2.8 million bags, reaching 10.9 million bags. Robusta output is anticipated to recover by 2.7 million bags to reach 9.5 million bags, benefiting from favourable growing conditions in the lowland areas of Southern Sumatra and Java, where about 75% of the robusta coffee is cultivated. Last year, excessive rainfall during cherry development adversely affected the crop, leading to sub-optimal conditions for pollination. Meanwhile, arabica production is expected to see a slight rise to 1.4 million bags. With the anticipated higher production levels, exports are forecasted to increase by 2.2 million bags, totalling 6.5 million bags. India's combined arabica and robusta harvest is forecasted to decrease by 100,000 bags to 6.0 million. arabica output is expected to drop to 1.4 million bags due to poor pre-monsoon rains, while robusta production is projected to remain stable at 4.6 million bags under normal growing conditions. Consequently, bean exports are anticipated to decline slightly to 4.2 million bags. European Union imports are projected to increase by 2.0 million bags, reaching 47.5 million, driven by higher shipments from Brazil and Indonesia. In the calendar year 2023, the top suppliers were Brazil (36%), Vietnam (25%), Uganda (8%) and Honduras (7%). Ending stocks in the EU are expected to rise by 2.1 million bags, totalling 11.6 million. The US, which imports the second-largest amount of coffee beans, is forecasted to see an increase of 900,000 bags, reaching 24.5 million bags, due to rising consumption. In 2023, the main suppliers were Brazil (27%), Colombia (19%), Vietnam (11%) and Guatemala (6%). Ending stocks in the US are expected to remain unchanged at 5.7 million bags. #USDA #coffeeproduction

Better Buzz Coffee Roasters, a California-based coffee chain, has launched a new range of Buzz Energy drinks. This marks Better Buzz's entry into the energy drink market and caters to consumers seeking caffeinated alternatives. The line includes ready-to-drink canned energy beverages and handcrafted mixed energy drinks. Each drink contains 110mg of caffeine, equivalent to a cup of brewed coffee. The handcrafted options include Burstin' Blue Raspberry, which offers a blend of blue raspberry, coconut and lime topped with popping candy; Always Sunny Citrus, features a mix of blood orange and vanilla topped with vanilla cold foam; and Prickly in Pink Mojito, a prickly pear mojito with lime and mint leaves. Meanwhile, the ready-to-drink cans come in Original, which the company describes as a "crisp and invigorating pick-me-up;" Berry Pomegranate, a combination of ripe berries and rich pomegranate; and Fruit Blast, a mix of tropical and fruity flavours. The coffee brand tested its energy drinks earlier this year at its new Phoenix location. Burstin' Blue Raspberry has emerged as the best-selling flavour. "We received great feedback from our guests in Phoenix about our Buzz Energy drinks," said Amanda Cameron, VP of marketing at Better Buzz. "Expanding these offerings, brandwide allows us to share these new, exciting flavours with all our guests so everyone can try a new Buzz this summer." The company plans to expand its product line later this year, introducing new flavours, sugar-free options, additional ready-to-drink beverages, and more. #BetterBuzzCoffeeRoasters #US