Beverage tendencies for merchandising, OCS and micro markets

In response to Automated Merchandiser’s annual State of the Trade for Merchandising and Micro Markets, discovered on this situation’s report, drinks are the most well-liked merchandise that customers purchase — from espresso and tea, both freshly brewed or in cans and bottles, to soda, power drinks and wholesome drinks. Some tendencies that operators have shared are that customers need extra product choices, better-for-you choices and sustainable options.

The next are just some examples of the various beverage choices out there for merchandising, OCS and micro markets, and suppliers shared their insights on what customers are searching for.

Workplace espresso service

In response to Alliant Espresso Options, a number one supplier of high-quality espresso and associated merchandise for the workplace atmosphere, greater than 92% of workplace espresso customers say that model is essential when deciding on their espresso.

“Our deal with high quality, dedication to sustainability and large number of merchandise provides OCS operators the liberty to create the proper espresso expertise for his or her clients’ distinctive workspaces, cafeterias or different foodservice environments,” mentioned Marina Cappagli, advertising and marketing director with Alliant Espresso Options.

“Now we have made nice strides in introducing recyclable, biodegradable and compostable supplies into our merchandise and packaging and proceed to search for methods through which we are able to enhance our practices and use of sustainable supplies,” she added.

Cappagli additionally shared that employers are searching for methods to spice up workplace tradition, and low can enhance productiveness by protecting employers engaged and energized, encouraging a optimistic workday, and growing social interplay with espresso breaks.

Alliant presents compostable delicate espresso pods, single-serve cups, entire bean, floor espresso, teas, portion packs, flavored sweetener packets, soluble powders, and extra. 

Its portfolio contains The Espresso Bean & Tea Leaf, Wolfgang Puck Espresso, Organa Natural Teas, Reunion Espresso Roasters, Donut Store Mix, Taste Singles Flavored Sweetener, Hurricane Espresso, Barnie’s, Carlo’s Bake Store, Man Fieri, Skinnygirl, Donut Store Drive Via, Cafexpress and Barista Choose solubles.

Nitro espresso

Additionally making strides in workplace espresso and tea service is Bona Fide Nitro Espresso & Tea, headquartered in Ventura, California. Bona Fide produces perfect-pour nitro espresso and tea kegs for esteemed roasters and specialty espresso distribution. It’s the first firm in the marketplace with a naturally secure keg brewing course of for espresso and tea. Bona Fide Nitro Espresso & Tea was based in 2015 with a mission to brew and ship nitro espresso and tea utilizing an modern, disruptive know-how that’s sustainable.

“Our course of reduces typical chilly brew waste by 50%, and our kegs are shelf secure and don’t want refrigeration throughout transport,” mentioned Spencer Weiner, accomplice and COO of Bona Fide Brewing Firm LLC.

The corporate’s latest merchandise embody a Scorching Nitro Espresso Dispenser that gives a continuing provide of scorching Nitro Espresso with the pull of a faucet deal with. It additionally presents a “No Nitrogen bottle required” countertop Chilly Nitro Espresso Dispenser Double Faucet. With the Bona Fide Bag-In-Keg “BIK” keg answer, kegs are pre-infused and ready-to-pour.

Roast profiles

Steve Erickson, senior supervisor enterprise growth of Caribou Espresso Working Firm, based in 1992, added that companions are asking for quite a lot of merchandise and roast profiles throughout program choices.

“Caribou Espresso craft roasts in small batches to convey out the complete taste potential of our beans,” mentioned Erickson. “We provide gentle, medium and darkish roast coffees, in each fractional pack and entire bean, that attraction to quite a lot of palates.”

Caribou Espresso beans are 100% Rainforest Alliance licensed, hand-crafted and roasted in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “This certification helps to create a extra sustainable world through the use of social and market forces to guard the atmosphere, whereas bettering the lives of farmers and their communities,” Erickson mentioned.

When requested about recommendation for operators, he added, “Now greater than ever the worth of offering distinctive customer support is obvious. One instance could be for operators to accomplice with their shoppers to create and supply employee-focused options that improve job satisfaction and worker engagement, guarantee wholesome workspaces and strengthen firm tradition.”

Caribou additionally presents a variety of ready-to-drink espresso, corresponding to its chilly brew for merchandising. The 11.5-oz.cans are shelf-stable and conveniently transportable.

“Along with our Chilly Brew Black and Vanilla Crafted, we launched our Caramel Crafted cans in March,” mentioned Erickson. “Chilly press espresso is a heritage product for our firm that we’ve got been serving in our shops for over 29 years. We are actually bringing these drinks to our clients in a handy ready-to-drink bundle.”

Caribou additionally presents a variety of teas corresponding to Earl Gray, Hibiscus Berry, Mint Verbena, Bou Black and Scorching Cinnamon Spice.

Sustainable espresso pods

One other firm with a deal with sustainability for workplace espresso service is Smile Beverage Werks, a Delaware Public Profit (“B”) company that makes sustainable and compostable espresso pods, espresso luggage and straws.

“The pods are the one ones licensed commercially compostable by each BPI and CMA. As well as, they’re carbon impartial and USDA bio primarily based,” mentioned Michael Sands, CEO and co-founder. “They’re essentially the most sustainable pods in the marketplace with the longest shelf life. They meet or exceed all state and federal composting legal guidelines. Now we have pods which might be appropriate with Keurig or Nespresso unique brewers and supply one-step disposal. 

Sands mentioned sustainability is a number one concern of consumers for pod espresso. His recommendation for operators is to be cautious: “Many declare to have sustainable options, however not all parts are licensed, or extra wasteful packaging is concerned.”

Probiotic water

Companies throughout the trade are presently trying to broaden better-for-you choices of their meals and beverage choices, mentioned Brad Coleman, vp of gross sales at Karma Tradition LLC.

“Right now’s customers are extra educated than ever and wish to know what they’re placing into their our bodies will assist cause them to a wholesome life-style,” Coleman mentioned. “That is a part of the explanation we proceed to develop robust double digits every year. With Karma Water, customers are getting one of many healthiest drinks within the market whereas delivering an amazing style and it permits operators (and corporations) to distinguish themselves from different merchandise.”

Karma Tradition presents its Karma Probiotic Water and Karma Wellness Water in merchandising and micro markets throughout the nation. Karma is offered as an 18-oz. bottle, highlighted by its patented cap know-how. The energetic substances (probiotics, nutritional vitamins, adaptogens) are saved within the cap till the buyer is able to drink.

“Simply peel, push, shake, thus making certain all probiotics (2 billion cultures) and nutritional vitamins (6 nutritional vitamins at 100% RDI) are delivered at most efficacy and acknowledged ranges on the label,” mentioned Coleman. “Shoppers additionally appear to benefit from the interactive strategy of seeing their beverage rework to wellness proper in entrance of their eyes.”

For its newest product line, Coleman mentioned the corporate is happy to introduce Karma CBD Water, which shall be out there in choose states starting March 2022.

Coleman’s suggestion for operators: “To have all beverage segments represented to appease the lots and to proceed to search for scorching trending manufacturers. Don’t fall into simply counting on the large beverage corporations to make their suggestions as a result of there are such a lot of modern manufacturers within the market that style nice, supply purposeful advantages and can help you stand out from the group.”

Prebiotic soda

One other fast-growing firm within the purposeful drinks class is Dallas, Texas-based Poppi, providing prebiotic soda for merchandising, micro markets and OCS in addition to pantry. Infused with apple cider vinegar, Poppi delivers wholesome advantages whereas solely containing pure substances like fruit juice and plant-based sweeteners. Poppi has 4g to 5g of sugar and 15 to 25 energy a can.

“The ACV is in stealth mode so all you style are nice flavors like Raspberry Rose, Strawberry Lemon in addition to traditional flavors like Root Beer, Cola and Doc Pop and extra,” mentioned David Smaltz, vp of foodservice.

“With the lingering results of the pandemic nonetheless foremost in folks’s minds, everyone seems to be extra cautious than ever as to what they eat and drink,” mentioned Smaltz. “All demographics are searching for added worth and performance in what they buy. Operators must proceed to broaden alternatives supplied in all channels of enterprise. There isn’t a ‘one dimension matches all’ POG anymore. It’s vitally essential to be tuned in to what your clients demand and to offer these objects or another person will.”

Kombucha

Rowdy Mermaid, based in 2012 and primarily based in Boulder, Colorado, presents two traces of purposeful wellness drinks, Kombucha and Adaptonic, in a classy, transportable and infinitely recyclable 12-oz. slim can for merchandising, micro markets and OCS area. “Our Kombucha is crisp, refreshing and light-weight (with out the “vinegary” chunk), making Rowdy Mermaid supremely scrumptious and straightforward to drink,” mentioned Danielle Eberly, director of gross sales, Foodservice. “Our success stems from our distinctive flavors that aren’t too candy, approachable, crafted with sustainably sourced substances in a smooth bundle with a playful identify, which appeals to a broad viewers.”

Eberly added, “Purposeful drinks present quite a few well being advantages which might be particularly related for these at their office the place entry to more healthy drinks may help them obtain their wellness targets.” Every of Rowdy Mermaid’s 9 kombuchas present a selected well being profit utilizing purposeful botanicals and herbs to handle modern well being wants, corresponding to immunity, focus, calm and power. 

Past Kombucha, its new line of glowing immunity tonics, Adaptonic, are made with vivid botanicals, fruits, herbs and reishi mushrooms for immunity with out the mushroom style.

“There’s a rising consciousness round the advantages of holistic residing, shifting folks’s priorities towards well-being. Consequently, we see that customers are searching for extra from their drinks,” mentioned Eberly. “Quenching your thirst or making an attempt new flavors isn’t sufficient. They’re turning to drinks and particular substances to assist heal, stop ailments, and deal with as we speak’s prevalent circumstances. However they need to even be supremely scrumptious.” ■