EVA Study Examines Trends Consumer Behavior Toward Vending In Europe

BRUSSELS -- Bottled water is the No. 1 item that Europeans purchase from refrigerated vending machines, and 58% of those who frequent such machines do so at least once a week. These are some of the key findings of a new report published by the European Vending Association. EVA's "Coffee, Drinks & Snacks Machines 2015 Consumer Behavior Report" examines consumer habits related to the office coffee service and vending industry.

The study also found that the average weekly per-person spend at a refrigerated vender is €3.98 ($4.47), and three out of four consumers prefer to use a machine in the afternoon. Convenience is the No. 1 reason cited for using vending machines. Additionally, one-fifth of people surveyed said they drink at least five hot beverages a day, and 30% of them said they wish to see a wider variety of products in vending machines.

The EVA said it commissioned the report to gain an understanding of what the general public desires in their refreshment services. The study, segmented into an overall European report and 11 separate country reports, also divides the majority of responses into various age demographics to provide insight into how people -- particularly younger consumers -- are interacting with vending machines. The report features comparison data between several European countries.

EVA said the report identifies the main drivers and barriers for consumers to use OCS and vending equipment in public locations and at work. It examines breakfast and lunch consumption behavior, which EVA says can help operators identify trends or gaps for which vending can provide solutions. It also looks at overall hot beverage consumption in the workplace, including employees' opinions of what quality workplace coffee should be, and the type of machines that are currently used in these locations.

The online survey was developed by the EVA with input from its members, and was managed by Canadean, a researcher in the food and hospitality industries.

The report is free to EVA members and is available for purchase at the EVA website.