Micro Markets


Micro markets making their mark


There’s no stopping the growing trend for micro markets, but what does this mean for the future of vending. This is what the vending experts have to say…


The Trade body


David Llewellyn, chief executive of The Vending & Automated Retail Association (AVA) As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, consumer behaviours have changed considerably over the last two years. All industries have needed to adapt and evolve in order to meet new demands and routes of access, and the vending industry is no exception. In recent years, consumers have become increasingly comfortable


with the use of smart and cashless technologies. Not only has this opened the door for more cashless catering, but it also has enabled the introduction of more automated retail opportunities – such as micro-market vending – a custom designed vending market or mart with a self-checkout kiosk. According to the 2020 AVA census, at that time there were 200 new


micro-markets in operation since 2019, with around 320 installed around the UK. When the 2021 AVA census data becomes available in May, we expect that this number will have increased further. It is important to recognise that events over the last two years have


likely changed the way we work forever and going forward we are going to see a much greater level of flexibility from employers, which will have an impact on the services businesses choose to offer within the workplace, especially regarding catering and refreshment options. In a post-Covid-19 workplace, micro markets are likely to play a


much greater role to provide refreshments, as there is likely to be less demand for the traditional catering or 24-hour canteen services. This is where vending machines naturally become the ideal solution, as they can cater for these smaller numbers of people effectively, at a much lower cost than having a fully staffed canteen. This level of technology in vending not only


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shows that the industry is currently future-proofing, but that it is preparing for changing consumer behaviour surrounding contactless and human-free interaction, putting customer safety at the heart of the experience.


The manufacTurer


Nebrak managing director, Paul Howard The line between vending and micro markets have blurred, they’re not mutually exclusive anymore. Nebrak has seen a huge growth in barista-style coffee vending


operators, OOH food brands and healthy snacks drive the demand in micro markets. A stand-alone offer doesn’t meet the needs of the hybrid workplace, so through partnerships and collaborations, vending operators are creating opportunities and reaching new markets via the micro market concept. We build bespoke modular micro market and vending furniture


that enables operators to leverage their offer and ultimately, optimise revenue. We replicate the experience and brand touchpoints you would get in the high-street through the furniture solutions we build for clients in the workplace. We can transform equipment and perceptions, even accommodating the emerging demand for DOOH – Digital Out of Home Advertising, into micro market designs. Vending has evolved, through advances in touchless technologies, smart fridges and payment systems to the growth in premium and healthy hot and cold food & drink SKUs. As a result, vending is more attractive, flexible, and relevant. Vending operators are consistently approaching us for micro


market solutions to meet a gap in the market created by the hybrid working model. It makes sense, they're experts in providing food and solutions with added service support. Micro markets in our experience, have only presented an


opportunity for vending. Collaborations have been the catalyst. If vending maintains the mindset that the possibilities are endless, then the future looks exciting.


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