Independent tea brand Birchall Tea has taken a step in reducing its environmental impact, operating what the company claims is the UK's first fully solar-powered tea factory. The facility in Amesbury, Wiltshire, features more than 460 solar panels on its rooftop, generating all the clean renewable electricity needed for Birchall's on-site operations. In fact, the factory produces twice the electricity it requires, allowing the company to put surplus power back into the national grid. "We want to make the UK as passionate as we are about good quality, great tasting tea as we are, whilst also having a positive impact on the planet," said Daniel Graham, managing director of Birchall Tea. The company's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its solar-powered factory. In May 2020, Birchall achieved the Carbon Neutral International Standard, meaning all of its tea products are now 100% carbon neutral. Birchall has also equipped its website with an automated energy counter, allowing consumers to view in real-time how much electricity is being generated by the factory's solar panels. "Our solar-powered tea factory has already generated over 500,000kWhs, and this is just the beginning of Birchall Tea's journey," Graham added. The family-run tea brand's focus on environmental responsibility reflects a growing trend in the industry, as consumers increasingly demand sustainable practices from the companies they support. "We have always taken our responsibilities to the environment very seriously and are committed to continually reducing the impact of our company's trading activities upon it," Graham commented. #BirchallTea #Tea #Solarpowered #UK

Lavazza has unveiled its new line of ready-to-drink iced coffee. The range features four Italian-inspired varieties: espresso and milk, caffè latte, cappuccino, and a limited-edition cappuccino protein can. Each is crafted with 100% Arabica beans and semi-skimmed milk. The espresso and milk variant offers a double shot of 100% Arabica and semi-skimmed milk. The caffè latte drink also features 100% Arabica and silky semi-skimmed milk, providing a velvety texture and balanced sweetness, which is described to be 'a cold version of a classic Italian coffee' said Lavazza. Meanwhile, the cappuccino combines Arabica, semi-skimmed milk and cocoa for a balanced blend of chocolate and coffee notes. Additionally, the limited-edition cappuccino protein can offer 25g of protein, combining Arabica coffee with semi-skimmed milk. The ready-to-drink range will be available through Lavazza's website, priced between £1.88 and £2.06 per can. #Lavazza #UK #RTD #coffee

Retail technology company 365 Retail Markets has announced the launch of a new self-service kiosk, the MM6 Mini, for dining and micro market applications. In a statement announcing the launch, 365 Retail Markets said that two types of kiosk technology have existed in the market for Food Service Operators (FSOs) until now – cheap tablet-sized solutions targeted to smaller spaces, and full-sized kiosks that address premium, high-touch and high-traffic locations. With the launch of the MM6 Mini, the company aims to balance flexibility and consumer experience to provide FSOs with a “middle ground” and enable them to better serve a broader range of location types without compromising customer satisfaction. The MM6 Mini is a compact point-of-sale with a 15.6 inch display, suited for midsize locations and as part of a ‘cluster’ of additional Minis to improve throughput in larger spaces. According to 365 Retail Markets, the MM6 Mini can help operators to cut down service time and drive additional income through digital advertising services powered by Advana. The 365-user interface for dining was enhanced to offer new capabilities including nutritional insight, upsell recommendations, order ahead and custom orders. For micro markets, the interface has easy item look-up for items without barcodes, highlights transaction detail and guides consumers through transactions. Operators with the two concepts adjacent can use a single kiosk for both market and café purchases. Boris Amegadjie, chief product officer for 365 described the MM6 Mini as the ideal solution for catering to workplace refreshment services in an evolving work environment. He commented: “Equipped with a flexible size that accommodates any setting and a remarkable combination of affordability and performance, operators are poised for successful outcomes wherever they take their business”. #365RetailMarkets

365 Retail Markets has acquired Impulsify, a US-based provider of self-service retail solutions for hotels and multifamily communities. Founded in 2013 by Janine Williams, Impulsify serves well-known hotel chains and boutique properties, with plans to expand into other high-traffic areas 'that would benefit from the convenience of grab-and-go retail,' said 365. Impulsify provides self-service retail outlets that enhance property and guest experiences while increasing revenue, aligning well with 365's growth plans. The acquisition of Impulsify will enhance 365 Retail Markets’ presence in the hospitality industry. The collaboration between the two companies is said to enhance value for existing customers by easing entry into the hospitality sector and offering more advanced solutions than traditional vending products. Joe Hessling, founder and CEO of 365 Retail Markets, said: "At 365, we believe in empowering the most convenient and enjoyable self-service retail experiences on the planet. The team at Impulsify shares that passion, and together, we are poised to offer solutions across even more touchpoints of consumers' daily lives. Our world is constantly on the move, and we want to be with them every step of the way," he said. Williams added: "The team at 365 immediately impressed me with their drive for innovation and focus on putting the consumer experience at the heart of what they do. We see this opportunity as a way to take what we have proudly built at Impulsify and lean on 365's experience and earned trust within the self-service industry to address the increasing demand for these types of solutions in even more places." Top image: ©Impulsify #365RetailMarkets #Impulsify #US

The right equipment can make all the difference. Ask any vending operator, and they’ll give you a list of their preferred machines. Give them additional information on location type, size and preferences, and chances are the perfect machine for that account will jump straight into their head. When it comes to micro markets, equipment is just as essential. While vending operators just need to pick a machine, micro markets require much more. You need to pick the right kiosk, shelving, coolers, freezers, and even auxiliary equipment like coffee machines and microwaves. There is no one-size-fits-all approach with micro markets. However, there are tons of great suppliers and equipment out there. We’re here to help you ask the right questions to get the best equipment for a successful micro market setup. The kiosk The kiosk is the engine of your micro market. Without the right solution, your micro market won’t be successful. So, it’s important to get it right. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your kiosk: Ease of use: How easy is it for customers to use the kiosk? Make sure the kiosk has features like accessibility options, an engaging interface and seamless checkout. For large accounts, rapid checkout is essential to accommodate busy breakrooms. Payment options: Everyone likes to pay in different ways. Look for a kiosk that appeals to your customers by maximising payment options. Cash, cards, virtual wallets, mobile apps – a good kiosk offers your customers flexibility. Reliability: The worst-case scenario for your micro market is a kiosk experiencing issues during a lunch break. Consider kiosks that have offline checkout, battery backup and durable components. Sales and management tools: Different kiosk providers have different levels of management tools. Look for inventory, routing and servicing features. Ideally, you also want custom promotions, rewards and loyalty programs. Any system that can let you manage your micro markets alongside vending or office coffee business lines is a bonus. A range of options: Different locations have different needs. Your kiosk provider should have a large option optimized for bigger locations and a smaller option for smaller locations – plus everything in between to help you maximise your return on investment. Racking, coolers and freezers Your snack racks should be modular – meaning you can get different sizes for different locations. Make sure they are flexible with their displays – you’ll want some mixture of pegs and racks to display products. Additional features like product pushers, custom branding and an attractive display will help attract and engage customers. And don’t forget ease of setup: some racking systems come pre-assembled, while others can require detailed installation. With coolers and freezers, reliability and safety are essential. Features like a health lock will lock the cooler if it loses power – ensuring your customers don’t buy spoiled products. Gravity trays do an exceptional job with sliding beverages down to your customer for easy purchase. Keep an eye on energy-efficiency as well to show your location you’ll go the extra mile. Signage, security and more Other items to consider in your physical micro market setup include contact information, kiosk how-to guides and custom branding. Some locations will ask you for coffee machines, microwaves or utensils, so be prepared to offer those if necessary. Good kiosks come with security options built-in, but some accounts will want you to take additional steps to deter potential theft: consider adding detailed signage or external cameras to provide peace of mind. To run a successful micro market business, you need the right equipment. With the right equipment, you can engage customers, maximise sales and provide excellent service to your accounts. 365 Retail Markets is a turn-key solution for successful micro market setups. We have everything you need to establish and operate a great micro market business.

Tropicana has expanded its portfolio with the addition of a new line, Tropicana Special Start, as well as two new flavours in its Tropicana Multivit Boost range. Tropicana’s new line of juices, Special Start, boasts three 100% pure pressed fruit juices; Sanguinello Blood Orange; Pink Grapefruit; and Pineapple. The fruits are sourced from locations specially selected for their ‘unmatched’ taste and colour, including from the foothills of Mount Etna, where Tropicana Sanguinello Blood Orange is sourced. In its Multivit Boost range, Tropicana has unveiled two new varieties: Mixed Berries and Smooth Orange. Each serving offers 100% of daily Vitamin C requirements, along with essential vitamins B1, B2, B6, E. These added vitamins play a crucial role in supporting normal energy-yielding metabolism, maintaining healthy skin and vision and protecting cells from oxidative stress. Tropicana Brands Group’s marketing director Elizabeth Ashdown, said: “We understand that consumers are actively seeking healthier beverage choices to enhance their daily routines, placing a strong emphasis on prioritising their vitamin intake. Expanding upon the inherent health benefits associated with juice consumption, our newest additions to the Multivit Boost range will provide our customers with a juice option that tastes great and helps fulfil their daily nutritional requirements.” Last month Tropicana introduced two new juice ranges, Tropicana Rise & Shine and Tropicana Fruit Sensation, to its ambient portfolio. The new Special Start range and the additional Multivit Boost flavours are available to purchase in UK retailers now.

Oasis is proud to launch a new range of products: New bottle fillers with reimagined alcoves are characterised by elegance, precision and, most importantly, meet all hygiene requirements and facilitate contactless access to water. The Oasis bottle filler has a new sleek stainless-steel skin, that’s bigger and better than ever before! With enhanced alcoves to fit even the largest of bottles. Stainless steel bottle fillers are an essential component of modern beverage production, offering a blend of durability, hygiene and efficiency that makes them an industry standard. As the beverage industry continues to expand and innovate, stainless steel fillers play a critical role in ensuring production meets demand while maintaining high quality and safety standards. Key Features: Accuracy and consistency: our bottle fillers accurately measure and dispense liquid to ensure consistent bottle fill levels. This is crucial for product quality and customer satisfaction. Sanitation: cleanliness and hygiene are vital in the beverage industry. Oasis bottle fillers are designed to easily clean and sanitise to prevent contamination. Speed and efficiency: Oasis bottle fillers have strong flow rates, filling bottles quickly and efficiently without compromising quality. Sustainability tracker: featuring an integrated bottle counter to showcase sustainability credentials. Contactless: we have added a fully contactless range of products that fill bottles without physically touching them. These systems utilise an electronic sensor to measure and dispense water into bottles with remarkable accuracy. By eliminating direct contact between the filler and the bottle, the risk of contamination is significantly reduced. Contactless bottle fillers represent the future of beverage production, offering unmatched hygiene, Drinking fountains, once a simple and often overlooked amenity, have seen a resurgence in popularity as communities strive to promote sustainability and public health. As cities and organisations recognise the importance of accessible water sources, drinking fountains have transformed from their traditional roots into modern, user-friendly installations. Oasis offers a combination of bottle filler and drinking fountain; a combo that meets everybody’s needs. Our modern designs focus on sustainability, accessibility and health. Oasis combo units encourage the use of reusable bottles with the inclusion of bottle-filling stations. These stations allow users to refill their bottles quickly and efficiently, whilst reducing plastic waste. Oasis advanced filtration systems ensure that the water provided is clean and safe. Benefits of bottle fillers and drinking fountains: Environmental impact: providing accessible water sources, drinking fountains, and/or bottle fillers helps to reduce the demand for single-use bottles. Public health: ready access to clean water encourages hydration and promotes overall health. Community spaces: drinking fountains and/or bottle fillers contribute to creating a welcoming and inclusive public space where people can gather and socialize. As the world becomes more focused on sustainability and health, drinking fountains and bottle fillers will continue to play a key role in public spaces. They not only provide refreshing water but signify a step toward a more sustainable and healthy future. Innovative designs and technologies will likely drive further improvements. Wondering how to reach your sustainability goals and to improve the well-being of people in your facility or the local area? Then look no further, we are the Oasis you need. Browse our hydration dispenser here.

Britvic-owned brand Pepsi has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new, limited-edition blue cola, Electric Blue. The new product was created to challenge what consumers expect from a cola, with the new launch providing a zesty taste encapsulated in a striking blue liquid. Ben Parker, Britvic’s retail commercial director in Great Britain, said: “Pepsi Electric embodies shopper preferences for fresh, special edition flavours while incorporating the unmissable vibrant blue cola liquid, which will grab shopper attention at shelf and capture the next generation…Pepsi Electric is set to help retailers increase basket spend and tap into the flavoured cola segment, a market which is growing three times faster than unflavoured cola.” Available for 12 months across the convenience, wholesale and grocery channels, Pepsi Electric is launching exclusively as a 500ml bottle format. The new product development is also sugar-free, designed to enable retailers to cater to growing preferences for zero sugar soft drink options, without having to compromise on bold flavour and taste. Pepsi Electric will begin rolling out across the UK convenience channel from May, following a broader launch across grocery, convenience and wholesale on 17 June.

In partnership with dairy giant Arla, Starbucks has unveiled its latest innovation, a new line of high-protein coffee-based RTD beverages. The #Starbucks Protein Drink with Coffee range contains 20g of protein per bottle and is made with low-fat milk and zero added sugar. The line has launched in three flavour varieties, Caffe Latte, Chocolate Mocha and Caramel Hazelnut. Adam Hacking, head of beverages at Arla, said: “We are passionate about finding new ways to provide our consumers with beverages that support their active lifestyles. Our new venture into the protein drinks space brings the delicious Starbucks taste to a high-protein beverage and does just that. By appealing to existing protein drinkers as a trade-up opportunity and by tapping into the penetration opportunity for new shoppers, Starbucks Protein Drink with Coffee will continue to drive growth in the milk-based beverage category.” Hacking continued: “This is a game-changing launch, so we have gone full strength, with not only one flavour but three. It is a whole new range that will further build our market-leading position and give consumers even more choice.” The new RTD high-protein coffees will be available to purchase in major UK retailers from 13 June.

Premium UK dessert brand Gü is making its foray into the frozen category, unveiling a new line of indulgent frozen sundaes that will debut exclusively at Waitrose supermarkets from 9 June. The range – featuring Double Salted Caramel & Mascarpone, Caramel, Chocolate & Hazelnut, and Clotted Cream & Chocolate Crunch – represents Gü’s first venture beyond its core chilled dessert offerings. “Gü is thrilled to introduce the new frozen sundae range, which opens up exciting opportunities for innovation,” said Emma Heeney, senior innovation manager at Gü. “These individual indulgent treats address a gap in the freezer aisle typically dominated by family-style desserts.” The move comes as Gü seeks to capitalise on a notable 12% increase in home indulgence over the past three years, as well as a 58% of UK consumers planning to reduce dining-out expenses due to economic pressures, according to industry data. The frozen sundaes, crafted by Gü’s master pâtisserie chef, Fred Ponnavoy, will be available in 253 Waitrose stores nationwide, with plans for broader distribution across other major UK retailers later this summer. Priced at £6 for a pack of four ramekins, the frozen range will be offered at an exclusive launch promotion of £4 from 10 June to 2 July 2024. Gü, owned by private equity firm Exponent, has established itself as a premium chilled dessert brand, with £73.3 million in sales and growing over 4.5% year-on-year. “We set out to create a new indulgence experience like never before with our sundaes, overflowing with our signature luxuriously smooth French salted caramel,” said Ponnavoy. “As masters of sweet temptations, we’ve crafted frozen delights that we believe redefine dessert. Our premium ingredients ensure exceptional flavour, whilst innovative textures add an extra layer of delight.”

Campbell Soup Company is tapping into the US’s love for pickles and spicy flavours with the launch of its new limited-edition Goldfish Spicy Dill Pickle crackers. The latest Goldfish flavour offering comes as pickle-related content on social media platforms like TikTok has surged past 300 million posts, while 53 million US consumers are actively seeking out spicier food options, according to the company. “Goldfish and pickle enthusiasts alike have continued to request this new flavour on social media – so much so, one single social post about pickle flavoured Goldfish received over 30,000 likes,” Campbell’s said in a statement. The new Goldfish Spicy Dill Pickle crackers aim to satisfy this growing consumer demand by coupling the tang of dill pickles with a spicy kick on the iconic fish-shaped snack. “With over 300 million pickle-related posts on TikTok and 53 million Americans requesting extra spice, Goldfish Spicy Dill Pickle crackers deliver on flavour and fandom with this latest LTO,” the company said. The limited-time offering will hit national retailers starting this June with a suggested retail price of $3.69. The move underscores Campbell’s efforts to innovate and expand its popular Goldfish brand to keep pace with evolving consumer tastes, particularly around flavour profiles that are generating significant social media buzz and engagement. Goldfish, first introduced in 1962, has become one of Campbell’s most recognisable snack brands, competing in the highly competitive $24 billion US cracker market.

Coffee maker brand AeroPress has released a new portable travel coffee system, the AeroPress Go Plus, designed to provide a convenient coffee experience for people on the go. The AeroPress Go Plus is designed as a complete travel coffee system, featuring a range of innovations backed by four pending patents. It combines AeroPress’s three-in-one brewing technology in a clear coffee maker that fits into a double-wall, lead-free, stainless-steel tumbler (available in black or cream) with a leak-resistant, magnetised slider lid. This cupholder-compatible system includes a travel scoop, stirrer and built-in filter holder, packing compactly and quickly for convenient use on the go. According to the company, the AeroPress Go Plus is the first product to feature the new AeroPress branding, including the ‘Press for Better Coffee’ tagline and a unique AeroPress-shaped slider on the lid. David Cole, AeroPress CMO, added: “People on the go have had a particularly difficult time finding good coffee on the road and there has never been a coffee solution that’s reliably delicious, convenient and fits their lifestyle — until now. The AeroPress Go Plus is a complete travel coffee system — you can unpack it, brew our velvety smooth, signature brew and repack it all in about two minutes. It brings the convenience and versatility AeroPress is known for to the car, office, campground, hotel, vacation rental or wherever adventure takes you.” AeroPress CEO Gerard Meyer added: “Over the past year, we have had a series of exciting new product launches, addressing community demand for variants and accessories of our existing line-up. The AeroPress Go Plus is a true innovation and a first-of-its-kind in the category. Our community is paramount, so in developing the AeroPress Go Plus, we incorporated their input to help shape the final product.” “A few of the features we prioritised are the ability to brew more coffee, the ability to watch the brewing process happen by utilizing a clear chamber and ensuring the tumbler was sized to fit comfortably in smaller car cup holders. For coffee lovers, worrying about a reliable, tasty cup of coffee while on the move — even if it is just a trip to the office — is now a thing of the past.” The AeroPress Go Plus currently retails for $79.95 at the brand’s website and will be available on Amazon in the coming weeks.