London-based operator Cafepoint LLP has won ‘a major contract’ to supply Tower Hamlets Borough Council with refreshment and snack vending machines. 
The machines will serve customers at the Town Hall and four other buildings in East London. The contract was won ‘in the face of intense competition’ in a competitive tendering process.
‘We’re delighted to have been awarded yet another large vending contract with a Borough Council’, Cafepoint Director Gary Lewis told PV. ‘They’re important contracts to win, because we’re required to provide a vending and refreshment solution both to council employees and the general public.
A first-class retail experience
‘We spent a lot of time painstakingly identifying the most advanced vending machines in the world to ensure customers enjoy a first-class retail experience’, Gary told us. ‘Hot drinks come courtesy of N&W’s Canto Touch, complete with a full HD touch screen with a visual drinks menu. The product icons are customizable and the machine is ‘fully interactive’. The snack and cold drink machines are also N&W. The Samba Touch Combi boasts a 7″ touch screen, and a ‘basket’ facility, which allows us to offer multi-buy promotions. The customers also have easy access to nutritional information.
We can constantly monitor product sales and check stock levels, as well as identifying sales hotspots, trends and promotional variance.
‘All the machines are fitted with up-to-date payment technology, including a contactless device that facilitates purchases both by Credit and Debit Card and Smart Mobile pay technology – including Apple Pay and Samsung Pay’, Gary added. ‘The machines have remote management to so we can carry out pre-emptive maintenance to reduce downtime. They also provide real-time machine alerts and information. It means we can constantly monitor product sales and check stock levels, as well as identifying sales hotspots, trends and promotional variance.’
Very well received
Cafepoint’s innovative refreshment solution has been very well received at all the new sites. ‘The vending offer has been completely re-vamped by the introduction of state-of-the-art machines offering first-class products’ Gary said. ‘There’s a generous selection of ‘healthier’ products available and of course there’s the coffee… We’re serving top-quality, ‘coffee shop’ beverages, created using beans that specially selected for us and roasted in Italy; in smart, 12oz paper cups.’
N&W Managing MD Dave Ward told us: ‘Cafepoint LLP is an extremely innovative company and we’re proud to be working with them on this project. They’re a very professional outfit and their branding on our equipment delivers an excellent showcase for both companies.’
