NEWS | Industry Updates


Europe’s installed base of water dispensers passed 6.6 million units in 2025, up around 2% on the year, according to the 2026 West Europe and East Europe Water Dispense Market Reports from Zenith Global Commercial. The two regions moved at very different speeds. West Europe grew 3.0% to more than 4 million units, adding around 118,000 units over the year and extending a five-year run that has compounded at 4.2% a year. East Europe grew 0.6% to almost 2.55 million units, its first increase since 2021, after a five-year contraction that removed close to 180,000 units from the regional base. The East European recovery is stronger than


the regional headline suggests. Excluding Russia and Ukraine, the base rose 1.5% in 2025 to about 1.13 million units and has grown 5.8%


since 2020. Zenith Global Commercial treats that cut as the investable view of the region, since Russia has been closed to Western buyers since 2022 and Ukraine remains at war. Growth came from mains-fed formats on


both sides of the continent. Integrated tap systems were the fastest-growing segment in each region, up 5.8% in West Europe and 8.1% in East Europe, with point of use up 2.0% and 7.3% respectively. Bottled water dispense grew 3.4% in West Europe on the strength of Iberia and slipped 0.4% in the East, where bottled users continue to convert to mains-fed alternatives. Spain is West Europe’s largest market


at more than 1 million units, after a 13th consecutive year of growth and more than 100,000 net placements in 2025 alone, driven by residential subscription models such as


Aquaservice. Zenith Global Commercial forecasts Spain to approach 1.4 million units by 2030. In East Europe, Russia remains the largest market ahead of Poland, Ukraine, Romania and Czechia, with the Russian and Ukrainian bases still far below pre-war levels following the exits of BRITA and Eden Springs from Russia in 2022. “Europe is two markets with one name,” said


Akos Petri, Managing Director of Zenith Global Commercial. “One has compounded at more than 4% a year for five years on mains-fed conversion. The other lost close to 180,000 units to war and market exits and has only just stopped falling. Anyone sizing an acquisition in the East should be looking at the region without Russia and Ukraine in it, because that is the part they can actually buy.”


SNACK’d takes off with British Airways Club as growth accelerates Packaging has been another major


British oat bar brand SNACK’d is now being served to British Airways Club customers as the challenger brand accelerates its expansion across travel, vending, foodservice and retail. The listing sees SNACK’d Apple & Raisin


Gut Friendly Oat Bars served in Club, putting the brand in front of consumers through one of the world’s best known airlines. It comes during a period of strong momentum for the business. SNACK’d has also been named a finalist in the Great British Food Awards 2026, with Apple & Raisin reaching the final in the Free From category. The brand has received recognition


from the vending industry too. SNACK’d received five finalist nominations across four categories at The Vendies 2026 and was Highly Commended in Best New Product, Snacks & Beverages.


focus. The Grocer highlighted SNACK’d’s 100% recyclable packaging when it covered the brand’s launch into Booths, while the packaging has also been selected as a finalist in The Grocer’s packaging awards. Founder and chief executive Damien


Gray said:“British Airways Club is a fantastic platform for us and what is particularly exciting is seeing the same proposition resonate across very different channels. “Whether it is an airline, an office, a hospital, a vending machine or a retailer, customers want products that taste amazing but also deliver more in terms of nutrition, dietary inclusivity and sustainability. “The recognition from the Vendies, Great British Food Awards and The Grocer gives us further confidence that we are building something genuinely different.”


vendinginternational-online.com | 7


British oats and is available in Apple & Raisin, Peanut Butter & Banana and Double Cacao & Orange.


SNACK’d is manufactured in the UK using


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