Vending

COVID-19 hammers convenience services sales in Europe

July 15, 2020

Convenience services operators in Europe have experienced sales declines of 61% to 99% in April compared to last year on account of COVID-19, according to a survey by the European Vending & Coffee Service Association.

The survey also found that 70% of operators believe the crisis will result in changes in vending customers' consumption habits.

Product and equipment suppliers, for their part, are not optimistic about the near future, as only one in five expect operator sales to improve by Spring 2021.

Sixty-percent of suppliers believe cashless demands will continue to increase.

The COVID-19 impact report is based on survey responses from both vending operators and suppliers in 13 European countries. The survey asks a range of business-related questions in relation to the restrictions in place from March to May. The report is published as a combined European report of all the responses, as well as seven individual country reports: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain and the U.K.

Reponses from the survey also provide an understanding of the specific reasons companies saw a reduction in sales, which segments of the industry saw the biggest falls and when and to what degree industry players consider the business will recover throughout different periods in 2020, as well as early next year.

For an update on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected convenience services, click here.