NEWS | Industry Updates


Protect your vending business from the Single-Use Cup Levy


(pictured) warned: “If this levy is introduced for vending it would have a terminal effect on many operating businesses.” After months of engagement with


The Vending & Automated Retail Association (AVA) has made an urgent call to suppliers based in or trading in Scotland to respond, either individually or as a company, to a consultation on a move by the Scottish government to push forward with a Single-Use Disposable Beverage Cup Levy with proposals that could have devastating effects on vending businesses. AVA chief executive David Llewellyn


Recent data from Square, the technology company that makes commerce and financial services easy and accessible, shows oat milk is the UK’s favourite choice of milk in coffee, accounting for over half (56%) of coffee sales nationwide. It has officially overtaken cow’s milk as


Brits’ preferred option, with traditional milk accounting for just over a third (39%) of coffee sales, while almond and soy milks lag behind accounting for just three and two per cent of total coffee sales. The research also revealed lattes (28%)


have edged out flat whites (27%) as Brits’ favourite coffee, while overall coffee consumption continues to rise with almost two thirds (63%) of the population now coffee drinkers. While lattes have taken the crown as the


nation’s favourite coffee, accounting for almost a third (28%) of all coffee sales in the UK, they were only just ahead of flat whites (27%). Surprisingly, the perceived hugely


popular cappuccinos came in at just under a fifth (18%) of all sales, while americanos count for 15 per cent of the total. Cortados are the least popular type of


coffee in the UK, responsible for just two per cent of sales, behind espressos and mochas at three per cent each. Square’s research found cold brew


coffees are the most expensive type of coffee in the UK, with an average price of £3.79, followed by mochas at £3.71, while espressos were typically the cheapest at around £2.67. Meanwhile, the UK’s most popular coffee


is setting Brits back an average of £3.36 per cup, compared to £3.31 for a flat white and £3.37 for a cappuccino.


Oat milk takes top spot as most popular milk in the UK


“It’s rare to see a consumer base


coalesce so quickly around a new product, but that is what we’ve seen with oat milk, which has dominated market share for alternative milk in recent years,” said Ara Kharazian, research and data lead at Square. “What is remarkable is that oat milk can be a fairly costly add-on, but one consumers are clearly willing to pay for. For businesses, this represents a win-win: meeting customer demand for quality


while boosting profit margins with more premium offerings.” Square’s latest research into seasonal


drinks found contrary to the cultural trend of pumpkin spice lattes during autumn, it has remained the least popular drink during the colder months since 2019. That being said, drink sales for pumpkin spiced lattes doubled in 2023 compared to 2022, suggesting an increase in consumer demand for seasonal drinks.


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Scottish environmental and governmental bodies, the AVA has successfully raised concerns, and a potential exemption for drinks sold from vending machines has been included in the current consultation. However, this exemption isn’t guaranteed. Why this matters: If this legislation


passes without an exemption for vending, it could spell disaster for operators in Scotland, leading to significant financial impacts. Even if your business only trades in snacks, confectionery, or soft drinks, this


could still impact your customers – and therefore your business. Here’s what you need to know: • The current proposal includes a 20p to 50p (or more!) levy on single-use disposable cups starting in 2025.


• Question 6 of the consultation asks if drinks sold from vending machines should be exempt. Vending businesses are being encouraged to respond to this question. Responses must be in before the


deadline of 14th November. You can get all the details of how to respond here https://www.the-ava.com/news/ava- response-template-scotland-consultation- on-single-use-disposable-cup-levy/


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