search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
NEWS | Industry Updates


Extra 7m contactless payments as new £45 limit kicks in


Since the introduction of the new £45 contactless limit in the UK and Ireland, Barclaycard, which handles half of all contactless transactions in the UK, has processed over seven million contactless payments above the previous limit of £30, and up to the new £45 limit. This means that up to seven million additional cardholders have been


able to use contactless to make in-store payments, helping to combat the spread of COVID-19. The higher limit helps prevent the spread of the virus by allowing more shoppers to pay without touching card terminals or handling cash. It also helps reduce the volume of people in stores by reducing queue times – contactless transactions are, on average, seven seconds faster than Chip and PIN, and 15 seconds faster than cash. Barclaycard data also reveals that 43 per cent of in-store transactions


between £30 and £45 are now made using contactless. This is expected to increase as public awareness of the new limit grows and as more businesses implement the technology change on their card machines. Deployment of the new limit is being prioritised for retailers in key


sectors, including grocery & supermarket stores, bakeries, pharmacies and petrol service stations. Barclaycard will be supporting the deployment of the higher contactless limit to other sectors in due course. The new limit has led the average value of contactless transactions to


jump from £9.28 in 2019, to just under £14. The average value of all new contactless transactions above the previous limit of £30 is just under £36. The total amount spent using contactless on transactions over £30 is already over £264 million. Rob Cameron, chief executive of Barclaycard Payments said: “We want


to play our part in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so we are delighted to have reached seven million transactions so quickly. We would like to thank our clients both large and small for working with us to make the required changes, and for promoting the new limits to consumers. This rapid adoption would not have been possible without them. We believe that contactless is the safest, fastest and most responsible way to pay in store, and we encourage all consumers to take advantage of the new higher limit where possible.”


Call to postpone single-use


plastics directive European Plastics Converters (EuPC) has called on European Commissioners to ‘recast’ or postpone the single- use plastics (SUP) directive, in light of the COVID-19 crisis.


In an open letter Alexandre Dangis, EuPC President said:


“We would like to draw the attention to the benefits of plastic products and in particular single-use applications during the difficult times we are experiencing at this moment in history.”


Mr Dangis said the legislation did not take into account the


hygienic consequences of banning or reducing single-use plastics but only reflected on littering aspects. “Today and tomorrow we are and will be in a completely


different world where hygiene and consumer health will be the number one priority for all of us so it is time to reflect on adjusting strategies for Europe and the world in particular related to the use of plastics. “Unfortunately, the coronavirus has shown us that not all


materials are the same. Single-use plastics are not easily substitutable, in particular in keeping the same hygienic properties to safeguard consumers. Many independent studies repeatedly show that plastics is the material of choice for ensuring hygiene, safety as well as preservation from contamination. “The freedom of circulation of these goods is necessary to


keep hygiene, health and safety in the supply of many products, such as food contact materials, protective equipment, medical devices and medicines. We cannot afford, in any sense, to forget such basic precautions that plastic products can provide and is already providing in the field right now to assist in the fight against this crisis. The EuPC is calling for a postponement of the deadline for the implementation of the SUP Directive for at least an additional year at national level and to lift all bans on some of the single-use plastics items.


UK sales of plain, flavoured, juicy and functional waters have increased by more than one billion litres over the past five years, according to the new 2020 UK Water Drinks market report from the food and drink experts Zenith Global.


Volumes excluding water coolers rose


from under three billion litres in 2014 to over four billion litres in 2019, dipping by 4% in 2019 after the hot summer of 2018. The overall sales value of UK water drinks in 2019 was £3.3 billion. Plain water has grown substantially faster


than other water types, up 39% since 2014, and accounts for 87% of total volume. Flavoured water on 11% is up 9%, juicy water on 1.3% is up 15% and functional water on 0.4% is up 21%.


UK water sales up a billion litres in five years Water drinks have been growing strongly


in recent years,” said Zenith Global Chairman Richard Hall, “but I don’t believe the water plus group of flavoured, juicy and functional waters have yet reached their potential. “They have all the advantages of water for


natural, zero calorie healthy hydration. They have the added attraction of flavour and fortification with fruit, vitamins and more. It seems UK consumers are essentially happy with all the other choices of drink available as well, from carbonated soft drinks through to other categories from coffee to kombucha.” Among other findings in the Zenith Global


report, which incorporates the 2020 UK Plain Water market report and the 2020 UK Water Plus market report:


• The UK water plus market was worth £560 million in 2019. • UK consumers drank 7.6 litres of water plus products in 2019, compared with 52.5 litres of plain water. • UK water plus volumes fell 9% in 2019. • Sparkling water plus products increased their share to 34% of volume, with still products accounting for 66%.


• Most water plus distribution is in retail, with 66% sold in supermarkets and 27% in convenience outlets, compared with 7% away from home.


Zenith Global forecasts overall recovery in the UK water drinks market in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, but cautions about difficulties from 2020 taking time to be reflected in consumer confidence.


8 | vendinginternational-online.com


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  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32