Drip Water is seeking to raise between $3 million and $5 million through convertible bridge notes to support its US expansion strategy following a series of sports partnerships and retail launches across the American market. The lifestyle bottled water brand said the funding will be used to scale US operations, support inventory and logistics infrastructure, execute confirmed retail roll-outs and expand its operational teams across key markets. Founded in 2024 by Luke Davis, Paul Hayes and Matt Dodds, Drip has positioned itself as a culturally driven hydration brand operating across sport, entertainment, music, fashion and wellness. Drip said it has gained traction in the US retail market through confirmed launches in QuikTrip stores across Oklahoma and Kansas, ahead of broader roll-out plans covering more than 1,200 locations. The brand has also expanded onto Walmart's website and Amazon Marketplace. According to the company, it is also in advanced discussions with retailers and operators including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Spec’s, Wawa, Terrible’s, US Foods and Wynn Resorts. Drip’s initial US expansion strategy is focused on Texas, Nevada, Florida, Illinois and California, with the company targeting wider national growth by 2027. The company said its strategy centres heavily on combat sports and athlete-led partnerships, particularly through its UFC collaboration, which it believes can help drive visibility, credibility and retail access. Drip said it has also assembled a US executive team with experience across businesses including Campari USA, Q Mixers and Liquid Death. Davis said the company aims to position Drip as the global “water of sport”. Top image: © Drip Water

Community Coffee has expanded its core product line with two new permanent flavoured coffees, Chocolate Lava Cake and Cinnamon Roll, as it responds to growing demand for dessert-inspired coffee blends. The family-owned US coffee brand said both new medium roast flavours are available now and contain no added sugar or sweeteners. The launch broadens its flavoured coffee portfolio with what the company described as bakery-inspired profiles developed in response to consumer feedback. Chocolate Lava Cake is described as a medium roast with semisweet and dark chocolate notes intended to evoke the dessert’s molten centre and rich cake base, while Cinnamon Roll features spiced cinnamon and icing notes designed to mirror a freshly baked pastry. The company said both flavours are allergen-free and made using a blend of South and Central American coffee beans. It added that the development of Cinnamon Roll focused on capturing a buttery, dough-like profile, distinguishing it from its existing Mardi Gras King Cake flavour. Kristi Crump, chief commercial officer at Community Coffee, said: “Chocolate Lava Cake and Cinnamon Roll are completely new to our lineup and are a direct result of customer feedback. They wanted the warmth and indulgence of their favourite bakery treats in every cup, so we created these 'from scratch' flavors to deliver that cozy feeling to their morning ritual." Tom Corley, CEO of Community Coffee, commented: “For over 100 years, Community Coffee has stood for quality, family and the joy of a great cup. Adding Chocolate Lava Cake and Cinnamon Roll to our permanent lineup reflects our commitment to growing with our consumers and bringing the flavours they love into their everyday ritual.” The new coffees are available through retail stores in the US, as well as online via Community Coffee’s website and Amazon, in ground and K-Cup formats.

Nestlé has announced new research showing that planting a mix of six robusta coffee varieties in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, can increase yields by up to 86% compared to the country’s commonly used local coffee variety, while also improving flavour and resilience to climate stress. The findings come from a multi-year study conducted by the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences in collaboration with Côte d'Ivoire’s Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA). Since 2018, researchers have evaluated 18 robusta coffee varieties across four coffee-growing regions in Côte d'Ivoire, assessing factors including yield, bean quality, flavour profile and drought tolerance under changing climate conditions. The six best-performing varieties – two developed by Nestlé and four by CNRA – were then tested as a combined varietal mix. According to the companies, further trials demonstrated that planting the six varieties together delivered the strongest overall performance, increasing yields while improving tolerance to climate-related stress and enhancing cup quality. Sensory testing also found that the robusta blend produced a smoother flavour profile, with reduced bitterness and fewer woody notes typically associated with robusta coffee. The six varieties have now been officially registered in Côte d'Ivoire and will be distributed to farmers through cooperatives participating in the Nescafé Plan, Nestlé’s sustainable coffee sourcing initiative. Hubert Coffi, agronomy manager for the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Côte d'Ivoire, said: “Côte d'Ivoire, the third-largest coffee producer in Africa, is feeling the effects of climate change, with shifting rainfall and rising temperatures impacting crop health and yield.” “Together with partners such as CNRA, we are exploring resilient coffee varieties to help protect farmers' livelihoods and ensure consumers can continue to enjoy great-tasting coffee in the future.” Nestlé said its coffee breeding programme in Côte d'Ivoire is led from its experimental farm in Zambakro, alongside local research partners and the company’s plant sciences department in Tours, France. The company added that farmers visiting the Zambakro site also receive training in regenerative agriculture practices aimed at supporting the long-term sustainability of coffee production. The project forms part of Nestlé’s wider coffee breeding efforts focused on developing higher-yielding, drought- and disease-tolerant coffee varieties for key coffee-growing regions.

Shaken Udder is entering the functional dairy drinks space with the launch of a new high-fibre milkshake range. The new Shaken Udder Fibre range will debut exclusively in Tesco stores nationwide from 13 May, launching in two flavours, Mint Choc and Banana, in a 330ml ready-to-drink format. Designed to combine functional nutrition with the brand’s signature thick and creamy texture, the range targets consumers seeking convenient ways to increase fibre intake without compromising on taste. The launch comes as fibre gains traction as a key wellness priority among UK consumers. Despite growing awareness around gut health, Shaken Udder noted that 96% of people in the UK are still not consuming enough fibre in their diets. The Mint Choc variant contains 8.9g of fibre per bottle, providing just under 30% of the recommended daily fibre intake for adults, while Banana delivers 7.6g per bottle, equivalent to around 25% of daily requirements. In addition to fibre fortification, the milkshakes provide nearly 50% of the recommended daily calcium intake and are made without artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners. The products are formulated using real mint extract and bananas, aligning with continued demand for cleaner-label ingredients. The new range reflects growing convergence between indulgence and functionality within the chilled dairy category, where brands are increasingly incorporating digestive health, protein and nutrient claims into mainstream products. Rob Reames, CEO of Shaken Udder, said: “Consumer interest in fibre continues to grow and as the UK’s number one premium and fastest growing milkshake brand, we are bringing something new to the category that still puts quality and taste at the heart of the product with the added bonus of fibre." Founded in 2004 by Jodie and Andy Howie, Shaken Udder initially built its reputation through festival sales before expanding into retail. The brand secured its first grocery listing with Harvey Nichols in 2008 and is now stocked across all major UK supermarkets, wholesalers, schools, cafés and farm shops. Its wider portfolio includes classic milkshake flavours such as Chocolush, Vanillalicious and Raspberry Ripple, alongside protein-enhanced and ambient product ranges. The company was acquired in 2025 by Spanish food business Idilia Foods as part of the group’s strategy to expand its presence in the UK beverage market. Shaken Udder Fibre will retail at £2.30 per bottle.

Mini Melts USA has partnered with The Magnum Ice Cream Company to expand the availability of frozen treats through a nationwide roll-out of branded vending machines in the US. Set to launch in summer 2026, the partnership will see Mini Melts operate Magnum-branded automated retail machines across high-traffic locations including entertainment venues, transit hubs and retail sites. The machines will stock a selection of products from The Magnum Ice Cream Company’s portfolio, including Good Humor novelty bars and Ben & Jerry's ice cream pints, alongside Mini Melts’ signature beaded ice cream products. The collaboration combines Mini Melts USA’s frozen vending and distribution network with Magnum’s portfolio of ice cream brands, as the companies look to expand access to premium frozen desserts beyond traditional retail channels. Dan Kilcoyne, founder of Mini Melts USA, said the partnership would create “a powerful platform to delight consumers in new and convenient ways”. Bryce Carroll, senior commercial development manager at The Magnum Ice Cream Company, described the agreement as “an important step” in expanding the company’s reach beyond the traditional freezer aisle. The companies said the initiative is designed to create new out-of-home consumption occasions while also introducing Mini Melts products to additional locations across the country.

Waterloo Sparkling Water has introduced three limited-edition flavours for summer, expanding its portfolio with seasonal offerings inspired by nostalgic American desserts and drinks. The new line-up – which includes, Apple Pie à la Mode, Coconut Lime Cooler and Root Beer Float – has been launched ahead of the summer season and in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Developed in collaboration with Flavortown inspiration from Guy Fieri, the range aims to recreate classic summertime flavours in zero-calorie sparkling water format. Apple Pie à la Mode combines tart green apple notes with warming spice and vanilla flavours, drawing inspiration from the traditional state-fair dessert. Coconut Lime Cooler blends creamy coconut and key lime flavours for a tropical-style beverage designed to evoke poolside refreshments, while Root Beer Float recreates the flavour profile of the classic dessert drink with herbal spice notes and vanilla undertones. The limited-time flavours are rolling out at retailers nationwide throughout the summer.

US-based Royal Cup Coffee and Tea has completed its acquisition of Farmer Brothers, bringing together two long-established coffee and tea businesses under the Royal Cup name. The deal, which was first announced in March, expands Royal Cup’s national footprint and strengthens its position across foodservice, hospitality and retail channels. The combined business will also operate a route-based distribution and equipment service network serving sectors including healthcare, convenience and private label across the US, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. The merged company will remain headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, with Royal Cup president and CEO Chip Wann continuing to lead the business. “Today officially marks the beginning of a new chapter for Royal Cup and Farmer Brothers – one built on decades of combined experience and a genuine dedication to the people and customers we serve,” Wann said. “I couldn't be more proud of both organisations, and I look forward to the work ahead as we come together and grow.” As part of the transaction’s completion, Farmer Brothers president and CEO John Moore, CFO Vance Fisher and vice president and general counsel Jared Vitemb will exit the company. Royal Cup acquired all outstanding shares of Farmer Brothers in an all-cash transaction following shareholder approval of the merger agreement at a special meeting on 1 May 2026. Braemont Capital partner Wali Bacdayan said the acquisition supports Royal Cup’s strategy to build a larger national coffee platform. “This highly complementary acquisition accelerates Royal Cup’s strategy to build a scaled, national platform in the coffee industry,” Bacdayan said. “The closing of this acquisition represents a significant milestone, and we look forward to continuing to support the team as they move into this next phase.”

Watercoolers Europe (WE) is gearing up for its WE Event in Torremolinos, Málaga, a key date for professionals in the watercooler and hydration industry. Delivered in partnership with FoodBev Media, this year’s event promises a lively, insight-packed programme built to inform, inspire and connect. Set in a vibrant international location, the event will bring together industry leaders, suppliers and decision-makers from across Europe and beyond. Attendees can expect a mix of keynote talks and networking opportunities designed to keep professionals up to date with developments in the rapidly evolving market. For the first time, the programme features two keynote speakers offering both European and global perspectives. Michaela Merk, a leading expert in branding and customer experience, will explore how emotional connection drives brand success, while international keynote speaker David Avrin will focus on customer experience, innovation how businesses can stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Alongside the conference, the WE Trade Fair will showcase leading suppliers and solution providers, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the latest products, technologies and services shaping the industry. With a strong focus on interaction and engagement, the exhibition floor will serve as a hub for meaningful conversations, collaboration and business development. Networking sits at the core of the event, with a range of informal and structured opportunities for attendees to meet peers, build partnerships and strengthen industry connections. Interest is already building, and early booking is encouraged. Registration is now open online, with full programme details and booking information available.

Starbucks is expanding its at-home coffee range with the launch of Starbucks Coffee Craft, a new premium coffee concentrate designed to let consumers recreate iced café-style drinks at home with minimal preparation. Rolling out to retailers nationwide, the product is aimed at growing demand for iced coffee and customisable drink formats outside the café environment. Starbucks Coffee Craft is a concentrated coffee made with arabica beans and developed to retain the brand’s signature taste profile. It can be mixed simply with water, sparkling water, milk or plant-based alternatives, offering flexibility for a range of iced drinks. The launch comes in two variants: Rich Black and Signature Caramel Flavour. Each bottle contains enough concentrate for around eight servings and is designed to support a variety of recipes, including iced Americanos, iced lattes and caramel-style iced beverages inspired by Starbucks café menu items. The product is positioned around personalisation, encouraging consumers to adapt drinks with syrups, whipped cream, and other toppings to suit individual preferences. Ingrid Hayes, coffee marketing director at Nestlé, said iced coffee trends continue to grow but replicating café-style drinks at home can feel complicated for consumers. “With Starbucks Coffee Craft it has never been easier to create delicious, iced drinks from the comfort of your home,” she said. “It’s perfect for those who rely on convenience but are still looking for the premium quality and taste that Starbucks is known for.” Hayes added that the concentrate is intended to support experimentation with different flavour combinations and homemade recipes. “Our new coffee concentrated opens the door to endless iced coffee possibilities,” she said. “Whether you prefer a rich Iced Americano or an indulgent Iced Caramel Macchiato, Starbucks Coffee Craft is designed to cater to your taste preferences.”

Soluble coffee has been included in the European Commission’s draft update to the scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), published as part of its Simplification Review. The European Coffee Federation (ECF) said the change marks a step towards a more coherent regulatory framework for the sector. Under the draft delegated act amending Annex I, soluble coffee (CN 2101 11 00) would be brought within the scope of the EUDR. The product is made from green coffee, which is already covered by the regulation. Its inclusion is intended to align treatment across coffee categories and address differences in how products are regulated within the EU market. Previously, EU-produced instant coffee was subject to due diligence requirements, while some imported finished products were not, an inconsistency the ECF has raised with policymakers since 2023. “Including soluble coffee in the scope would support fair competitive conditions within the internal market and reinforce the Regulation’s environmental integrity,” said Eileen Gordon-Laity, secretary general of the ECF. “Aligning requirements across coffee categories is essential for both the effective implementation of the Regulation and for operators preparing for compliance ahead of the application date.” The ECF also pointed to environmental considerations, noting that producing 1kg of soluble coffee requires around 2.6kg of green coffee, compared with 1.19kg for roasted coffee. The EU produces roughly 280,000 tonnes of soluble coffee annually, with major production centres in Germany, Spain and Italy.

FoodBev Media is proud to announce the winners of the UK Soft Drinks Awards 2026, celebrating the brands innovating UK soft drinks sector. This year’s awards present a shift in the market, defined by an intersection of flavour and holistic wellness as the industry redefines the role of the soft drink in the modern consumer’s life. The 2026 cohort reflects an evolution of sector categories, most notably the surge in functional and wellness-led drinks. Established household brands have leveraged their heritage to launch strategic extensions, successfully pivoting into the health-conscious space. This movement signifies a maturing market where the primary driver of new product development focuses on the wellness-benefits to the health-conscious consumer. A dedicated panel of industry experts meticulously evaluated and tasted submissions from more than 30 UK-based brands, each retailing within the United Kingdom. This turnout provided a comprehensive snapshot of the ingenuity currently being poured into UK soft drinks, from disruptive start-ups to legacy leaders. The winners were unveiled during an exclusive live ceremony at the UK Soft Drinks Conference in London on 12 May 2026. As the premier forum for the nation’s beverage leaders, the conference provided a fitting backdrop to celebrate the brands at the forefront of the industry’s functional revolution. Melissa Bradshaw, group editor of FoodBev Media, presented the awards and reflected on the exceptional quality of this year’s submissions: The quality of submissions we’ve seen this year is testament to the resilience and creativity of the UK beverage sector. It is particularly inspiring to see how established players are reinventing themselves through functional extensions, highlighting the opportunity soft drinks brands have to pave the way for a health-forward future. This year's winners balance wellness-centric innovation with exceptional taste profiles, responding to consumer needs while putting their own refreshing twist on today's top trends. Congratulations to all! With competition more rigorous than ever, securing a UK Soft Drinks Award in 2026 remains a definitive benchmark of excellence. These winners are actively shaping the future of hydration through bold, tasty, soft drink innovation. UK Soft Drinks Awards 2026 results Best products of 2026 Best brand extension WINNER Carlsberg Britvic | Tango Sour FINALIST Bottlegreen | Bottlegreen non-alcoholic Bitter Orange Spritz FINALIST Phizz | Daily Immune+ COMMENDED Radnor Hills | Radnor Spring Pineapple & Grapefruit COMMENDED Refresco | Pink Ting COMMENDED Remedy Drinks | Remedy Sodaly Best carbonated drink WINNER Hip Pop | Hip Pop Lemonade FINALIST Nestlé Waters UK | Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks FINALIST Carlsberg Britvic | Tango Sour FINALIST The Root Co | Original Ginger Beer COMMENDED Carlsberg Britvic | Tango Strawberry Smash COMMENDED Refresco | Pink Ting COMMENDED Nutriju / Wow Cacao | Wow Cacao Sparkling Water Best children's drink WINNER Pip Organic | Pip Organic Pineapple and Mango Smoothie FINALIST Carlsberg Britvic | Star Wars Fruit Shoot FINALIST Pip Organic | Pip Organic Apple Cherry Fizz Best dilutable product WINNER Carlsberg Britvic | Robinsons Creations Strawberry, Cherry & Lime FINALIST Bottlegreen | Bottlegreen Wild Elderflower Cordial FINALIST Holy Softdrinks | Holy Energy – Raspberry Raptor COMMENDED Nichols (Vimto) | Vimto Wonderfuel Mango & Orange Functional Squash Best fruit/juice drink WINNER Tiger Tiger Foods | Pulp + 100% Real Lychee Juice With Pulp FINALIST Carlsberg Britvic | J2O Sparkling Best functional drink WINNER Medahuman | Greens FINALIST Fizz with Purpose | It's Giving Apple & Elderflower 330ml FINALIST Hip Pop | Hip Pop Cherry & Blackberry CBD Kombucha FINALIST Remedy Drinks | Remedy Kombucha Ginger Lemon FINALIST Xoxo Soda | Xoxo Soda Sparkling Lychee COMMENDED Goodrays | Goodrays Raspberry & Guava CBD Drink COMMENDED Ka-Ex | Ka-Ex Boost COMMENDED TranquiliTea Wellness Beverages UK | TranquiliTea Citrus Chill COMMENDED Vitamin Well | Vitamin Well Hydrate Best low or no alcohol drink WINNER Bottlegreen | Bottlegreen non-alcoholic Bitter Orange Spritz FINALIST Nutriju / Wow Cacao | Wow Cacao Sparkling Water FINALIST Refresco | Ben Shaws Bitter Shandy Best low or no sugar drink WINNER Nestlé Waters UK | Sanpellegrino Zero Added Sugar FINALIST Dot Dot Bubble Tea | Dot Dot Bubble Tea Lychee & Rose in Glass FINALIST Remedy Drinks | Remedy Kombucha Wild Berry FINALIST Vitamin Well | Vitamin Well Zero FINALIST Xoxo Soda | Xoxo Soda Sparkling Lychee COMMENDED Holy Softdrinks | Holy Energy – Strawberry Shark COMMENDED MacB | MacB Strawberry & Kiwi 500ml Best natural/organic drink WINNER Pip Organic | Pip Organic Apple Fizz FINALIST Pip Organic | Pip Organic Strawberry, Banana and Purple Carrot Smoothie FINALIST The Root Co | Passion Fruit Ginger Beer COMMENDED Equinox Kombucha | Equinox Sicilian Orange & Yuzu Organic Kombucha Best new brand WINNER Aqua Glow | Aqua Glow Sparkling Collagen Drink, Berry Crush FINALIST Fizz with Purpose | It's Giving FINALIST Nolo | Nolo Classic Decaf Oat Milk Latte COMMENDED Belly Dance | Belly Dance, gut-groovin' water kefir soda (cherry berry / kiwi mango / fiery ginger) COMMENDED Muush | Muush Sicilian Lemonade Functional Soda with Lion's Mane Best new drink concept WINNER Holos Kombucha | Mulled Spice Kombucha FINALIST Dot Dot Creative | Dot Dot Bubble Tea Lychee & Rose FINALIST Fizz with Purpose | It's Giving Mango & Passionfruit 330ml COMMENDED Boba Moshu | Boba Moshu – Mango Flavour COMMENDED Holy Softdrinks | Holy Energy – Cherry Cheetah COMMENDED Sneak | Frostberry Blast Best plant-based drink WINNER Belly Dance | Belly Dance – water kefir soda (kiwi mango) FINALIST The Root Co | Passion Fruit Ginger Beer Best premium drink WINNER Bottlegreen | Bottlegreen non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz FINALIST Goodrays | Blood Orange & Grapefruit CBD Drink FINALIST The Root Co | Original Ginger Beer COMMENDED Nutriju / Wow Cacao | Wow Cacao Still Water Best sports/energy drink WINNER We are Onest | Onest Energy FINALIST Holy Softdrinks | Holy Energy – Fruity Frog FINALIST Nocco | Nocco Electrolyte COMMENDED Ghost Lifestyle | Ghost Energy – Blue Raspberry Best wellness drink WINNER Trip | Trip Wild Strawberry FINALIST Aqua Glow | Aqua Glow Sparkling Collagen Drink, Mango Passion FINALIST Hip Pop | Hip Pop Ginger & Yuzu Kombucha FINALIST Medahuman | Greens FINALIST VitClear | Brain Health Nootropic Soda COMMENDED Nichols (Vimto) | Vimto Wonderfuel Mango & Orange Functional Squash COMMENDED Phizz | Daily 3-in-1 Orange COMMENDED Vitamin Well | Vitamin Well Recover Best drink designs & businesses of 2026 Best in can WINNER Hip Pop | Hip Pop Tropical Peach FINALIST Belly Dance | Belly Dance - water kefir soda (fiery ginger) COMMENDED Nocco | Nocco Electrolyte Best in PET WINNER Dot Dot Bubble Tea | Dot Dot Bubble Tea Lychee & Rose FINALIST Boba Moshu | Boba Moshu - Strawberry Flavour COMMENDED Roxane | Aqua Pura Mineral Water Best packaging/label design WINNER Holy Softdrinks | Holy Energy - Raspberry Raptor FINALIST Dot Dot Bubble Tea | Dot Dot Bubble Tea Lychee & Rose FINALIST We are Onest | Onest Energy COMMENDED Ghost Lifestyle | Ghost Energy COMMENDED Roxane | Aqua Pura Mineral Water Best marketing/social media campaign WINNER Roxane | Aqua Pura Mineral Water Congratulations to all the UK Soft Drinks Awards winners, finalists and commended brands for their outstanding products! About FoodBev Awards FoodBev Media awards schemes have been running for more than 20 years and are now recognised among the most credible and respected awards schemes to influence the international food and beverage industry. For more information about our selection of awards programmes, please visit foodbevawards.com or email awards@foodbev.com.

365 Retail Markets has completed its acquisition of Cantaloupe, a global provider of end-to-end self-service commerce technology, following the deal’s initial announcement in June last year. The combined business will operate under the 365 Retail Markets brand and unites Cantaloupe’s payments infrastructure, telemetry systems and global device network with 365’s self-checkout, smart store and software platforms. The integration is designed to broaden the company’s reach beyond traditional vending and food service operations into additional environments including hospitality, sports and entertainment venues, transit hubs, corporate campuses and industrial sites. 365 Retail Markets is a portfolio company of Providence Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on growth-oriented media, communications and education businesses across North America and Europe. Joe Hessling, founder and chief executive of 365 Retail Markets, said the deal would significantly expand the company’s customer base and product offering. He highlighted the onboarding of nearly 40,000 new customers through the acquisition and said the combined platform would strengthen the company’s position in a retail sector increasingly shaped by automation and connected consumer experiences. Jeffrey Dumbrell, chief revenue officer at Cantaloupe, said the integration would help customers “maximise the value and reach” of available technology solutions. He pointed to rising demand for micro-retail in non-traditional settings such as hospitality and warehousing, adding that the combined capabilities would enable more flexible and tailored retail experiences delivered closer to consumers. Providence Equity Partners said the transaction reflects growing demand for data-driven, automated retail models across a wider range of locations. The firm said the merger expands opportunities for scale, diversification and enhanced service delivery across geographies and sectors. Scott Marimow, managing director at Providence, highlighted that unattended retail is increasingly present in locations ranging from airports to corporate and industrial sites, adding that the combination of the two companies creates stronger potential for growth and operational reach. Joshua Selip, also a managing director at Providence, stated that the sector continues to evolve toward more customised solutions across different customer environments, and that the combined business is positioned to support that shift. The companies said the global unattended retail market, valued at around $86 billion, continues to grow as operators invest in automated, connected systems aimed at improving efficiency and consumer convenience.