Feature: Aimia Foods
Innovating through
the recession
Aimia Foods offers advice
Aimia Foods is one of the industry’s
leading players. Here Martin
Armitt, marketing controller of
Aimia Foods, comments
on the outlook
for vending in the
coming year.
Vending has a massive opportunity in a businesses and the public opportunity.
recession. We know this from evidence of sector alike look to cut However, when
previous economic downturns, which many of overheads and improve consumers buy from
us remember all too well. There aren’t many profi t margins. The options for vendors a vending machine, they are in effect making a
signs to suggest the market should behave any are endless; from pricing choice through to substitute purchase. Rather than visit a café or
differently from previous tough times, and for products and brands to stock, we really do staff canteen, they make a conscious choice to
this reason I would consider companies within offer viable solutions. purchase an alternative. Through vending we
the vending industry to be among the lucky must therefore offer desirable options which
ones. If we can get it right, we’re in a good Where are the satisfy consumers used to a canteen service
business to ride out the ‘credit crunch’ and opportunities? and encourage repeat purchases.
come out the other side stronger, wiser and The workplace environment is one area which This switch and save behaviour that
leading the way. we’ve identifi ed as a potential area for growth consumers are displaying provides an
We’re fortunate that we are part of an in the coming year. As businesses react to opportunity for hot drinks as the average
industry which society simply can’t do without. the downturn, employing policies across the selling price in vending is way below that of
Although the food and drink sector will change board to cut non-essential costs in a bid to high street retailers, but soft drinks vending
as players leave, and some join, vending has an avoid making enforced redundancies, catering prices have crept up to £1.00 or more for
opportunity to show its true worth and come will be one of the fi rst victims. As small staff bottles and that causes some concerns. It
into its own. Vending can offer quality products canteens are closed, vending becomes a could well be the case that soft drinks volumes
at fair and realistic prices; in some cases it direct and viable alternative to onsite catering, in vending fall as people switch and save back
may well replace canteens and cafeterias as which turns an overhead into a profi t making to retail stores.
Innovate to support the
change ahead
Over the next year we will see new ideas
brought to market as the economy either
forces or encourages companies to innovate.
Aimia is at the forefront of a great deal of
innovation and we are now ready to introduce
our latest new offering to the vending sector.
When Aimia launched the Pour Moi ‘coffee
shop concept’ for vending in January 2008
before economists began speaking about a
credit crunch, we produced a product inspired
by the high street. Pour Moi was the fi rst 12oz
cup and lid concept, and really represented
fresh thinking within the industry. Clients could
choose their own designer menu, and with
unique drinks such as a Babyccino, as well as a
big marketing support package.
36 April 2009 www.auto-vending.co.uk
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