OFFICE REFRESHMENT Post mix is shaping office dispense solutions


Office refreshment is changing fast. Today’s workplace drinks offer needs to go beyond a standard selection of familiar soft drinks. As employers look to improve the office experience and encourage people to make the most of time spent at work, there is growing demand for drinks that support hydration, wellbeing, energy and focus throughout the day. One of the strongest trends shaping the


market is the rise of functional beverages. Consumers are increasingly interested in drinks with added purpose, from vitamins and electrolytes to caffeine, botanicals and natural extracts. In offices, this is especially relevant as employees look for options that suit different moments of the working day, from morning refreshment and lunchtime hydration to the afternoon slump. For operators, this creates an opportunity


to rethink both flavour choice and format. Low and no sugar options are now essential,


while profiles such as raspberry lemon, blood orange, peach iced tea, mango, elderflower and cucumber mint can bring a fresher, more premium feel to workplace drinks dispense. Caleb Simpson, managing director


at Simpsons Beverages, said: “Office refreshment is no longer just about providing a convenient cold drink. Operators are looking for variety, healthier choices and products that feel relevant to the working day. Post mix – a system used in the drinks and vending industry where a soft drink is mixed at the point of dispense – gives them the flexibility to deliver that, while helping reduce storage demands and reliance on single-use packaging.” Simpsons Beverages supplies post mix


syrups for office dispense solutions, helping operators deliver great-tasting soft drinks through reliable, efficient systems. With a strong focus on flavour development, product


Hybrid work transforms workplace refreshment offering


and unattended retail solutions are helping operators provide consistent service around the clock. Convenience remains a key driver, but


Hybrid and flexible working are now firmly embedded in office culture, continuing to reshape how businesses approach workplace refreshment. With employees arriving and leaving at different times and office attendance fluctuating throughout the week, traditional catering models can struggle to keep pace. As a result, vending, self-service technology and automated retail solutions are playing an increasingly important role in delivering flexible, cost-effective foodservice. Jill Bode, operations director at VMC explains. Well-stocked vending machines with fast,


reliable contactless payment options ensure staff can access food and drink whenever they need it, without relying on fixed catering hours or additional staffing. Today’s workplace environments demand flexibility,


expectations around workplace refreshment have evolved. Employees increasingly want quick access to quality food and drink with minimal waiting time, while employers are looking for solutions that improve efficiency, reduce waste and encourage staff back into the workplace. One of the biggest developments shaping the sector is the growth of self- service kiosks and pre-ordering technology. Kiosks are no longer simply payment terminals; they are becoming intelligent ordering hubs that help businesses better manage customer flow and service demand. Pre-order and self-service technology


can make a huge difference during peak periods. Customers can place orders in advance, choose collection times and avoid queues, while operators gain much greater visibility over demand. That allows kitchens and catering teams to plan production more effectively, improve service speed and reduce pressure during busy lunch periods. By controlling order flow and spreading demand across collection windows, pre- order systems also help reduce congestion in workplace restaurants. For operators, this means improved labour efficiency, more


predictable production levels and less food waste. For employees, it creates a smoother, faster and more convenient experience. Integrated platforms are also becoming


increasingly important. Combining vending, kiosks, EPOS, pre-ordering and cashless payments into a connected ecosystem gives operators greater operational insight and control. VMC’s Flex closed-loop solution, for example, allows businesses to manage additional functionality over and above payment such as subsidies, loyalty schemes, payroll loading and reporting across multiple service points while still supporting open payment options for flexibility. Workplace refreshment is moving towards connected, self-service environments that combine convenience, automation and data- driven decision making. Whether through vending, kiosks, click-and-collect or micro market solutions, technology is helping operators adapt to changing workplace habits while improving the customer experience. For the industry as a whole, these developments are creating smarter, more resilient refreshment services that benefit operators, employers and end users alike.


vendinginternational-online.com | 15


quality and changing consumer tastes, Simpsons can help customers create dispense ranges that reflect the growing interest in functional beverages, healthier choices and more adventurous flavour profiles. The office drinks offer of the future will


be flexible, flavour-led and increasingly functional. Through quality post mix syrups, flavour innovation and dependable supply, Simpsons Beverages aims to help operators deliver it.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28