FOOD & DRINKS TO GO


From infrastructure to retail: the next phase of unattended coffee


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onsumer expectations in food and drink have always been set by cafés, convenience stores and modern retail. Those environments define what quality, choice and experience


look like. Unattended coffee has never set the benchmark, but it is now expected to meet it. Ariadni Skliri, global product manager – Coffee at Crane Convenience explains Speed and availability remain essential, but they are no longer enough. Consumers expect intuitive choice, clear visual communication and a sense of freshness and theatre, whether a transaction is attended or self service. Retail coffee has adapted by becoming dynamic. Menus


flex by daypart. Promotions and pricing are actively managed. Loyalty, upsell and advertising have turned stores into responsive commercial platforms, not static points of sale. Unattended coffee has historically optimised for longevity. Machines are built to last seven to 10 years, with reliability and uptime as priorities. While this delivers strong operational economics, it has limited flexibility. Updating pricing, promotions or visual communication has often required physical intervention, slowing change and increasing cost. That model is now under pressure. Workplaces, hospitals, universities and transport hubs are everyday consumption environments. Consumers do not lower expectations simply because a purchase is unattended. When machines fail to meet familiar retail standards, they feel outdated rather than efficient. The solution is not singular. Progress requires both new platforms and intelligent upcycling, applied deliberately. In high traffic and high visibility locations, new machine designs


are needed. Purpose built platforms that integrate immersive interfaces, improved drink presentation, native connectivity and commercial flexibility from day one. These machines are conceived as retail assets, not just equipment. Alongside this, many existing machines remain mechanically robust. Where appropriate, targeted upcycling can extend relevance


and earning potential. Interface upgrades, connected software and remote promotional capability allow proven hardware to participate in a more dynamic retail model without unnecessary replacement. What matters is not whether a machine is new or upgraded, but whether it can perform commercially. Treating machines as retail touchpoints also unlocks new revenue.


Screens become media assets. Advertising and promotional partnerships support both new deployments and upgrades, strengthening return on investment across estates. The future of unattended coffee is defined by value per interaction


and relevance per location. Smarter machines, whether new or intelligently evolved, behave more like retail and perform accordingly. Against this backdrop, Crane Convenience will be introducing a new generation of unattended coffee innovation. Designed to support both next generation installations and the evolution of existing estates, it aligns long life infrastructure with modern retail expectations and marks a clear step forward for the category.


Cookie dough treats for on-the-go consumers


Doughlicious, is redefining permissible indulgence within the vending sector through a unique range of cookie dough-inspired treats designed for today’s on-the-go consumer. From award winning ready-to-bake cookie dough and innovative


Gelato Bites for ice cream and frozen vending, through to premium ambient grab-and-go cookies, the brand offers vending operators a versatile range of products across multiple temperature formats. With every product being gluten-free and many also vegan, Doughlicious combines indulgent taste with modern dietary credentials, helping operators deliver a more inclusive and premium snacking experience without compromising on convenience or quality. The ‘to go’ market is evolving fast, driven by a consumer who


expects convenience without compromise. Today’s shopper wants products that deliver on taste, quality and dietary needs while fitting seamlessly into a busy life. Nowhere is this more visible than in


20 | vendinginternational-online.com


vending, where the old perception of limited, low-quality choice is being replaced by curated, high-quality offers that genuinely excite. The trend defining this shift is permissible indulgence. Consumers


are done choosing between “healthy” and “treat”, they want both, and they won’t settle for less. This has fuelled demand for products that deliver a real indulgent experience while aligning with modern dietary preferences. Premiumisation is accelerating, with shoppers actively trading up for better ingredients, provenance and brands with something genuine to say. Doughlicious was built around this consumer. Its ambient cookie


range delivers a soft-baked, indulgent experience that happens to be both gluten free, vegan and peanut free, not as a compromise, but as the product itself. For vending operators, that’s a powerful combination: premium appeal that simplifies ranging while broadening reach.


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