Automatic_Merchandiser_February-March_2020 - 6

EDITOR'S NOTE

A Clear Vision For 2020
The new decade offers optimism for the
convenience services industry

WE'RE NOW A FEW MONTHS INTO THE YEAR 2020, BUT I'VE

Abby White
Editor
awhite@
vendingmarketwatch.com

Everybody seems
grateful for the opportunity for a fresh start
that a new year - and
a new decade -
offers.

noticed that there's still a sense of optimism in the air. Within the industry,
suppliers and manufacturers are excited to share information about
upcoming product launches, innovative technology, or new flavors of food
and beverage products. Operators have a renewed energy and refocused
intention to face the many challenges of running a business, including
staying on top of trends affecting convenience services, fulfilling everchanging consumer demands, and implementing technology to streamline
operations and improve their bottom line.
Everybody seems grateful for the opportunity for a fresh start that a
new year - and a new decade - offers. It is with that spirit that we offer
2020's first print issue of Automatic Merchandiser.
At this time of the year, the upcoming NAMA Show is certainly on
everybody's mind. This year, the conference will be held in Nashville,
Tenn., for the first time. As a longtime Nashville resident, I can't wait to
welcome you all to our beautiful city for The NAMA Show 2020. Flip to
page 40 for a sneak peek of what this year's show will offer.
Operators have many options when it comes to vending management
technology. We talked to several major suppliers to empower you with
the information you need to make an informed decision on the best fit for
your business (page 32).
As the category leader in both vending and micro markets, beverages are an essential part of every operator's business. As employer-paid
offerings like office coffee service (OCS) and pantry continue to grow, the
many options available to operators can seem overwhelming. We talked
to suppliers to identify four workplace beverage trends operators should
know to stay competitive in 2020 (page 18).
Each startup business has a unique story to share, and Melissa Brown,
founder of Well-Bean, has one that's sure to inspire. As a self-described
"sociopreneur," Brown started a for-profit business in 2013 to support a
non-profit in Nicaragua. Through Well-Bean's growth, Brown not only
supports Nicaraguan coffee farmers and their communities, but also provides superb locally-roasted coffee to The Triangle area of North Carolina.
As she continues to expand Well-Bean's footprint throughout the U.S., she
runs a company focused on sustainability, quality, wellness and philanthropy. Find out how she grew Well-Bean from a humble coffee cart to a
thriving roasting company on page 22.
We hope your 2020 has been great so far and that you have a clear
vision of what you hope to accomplish this year. Email us at editors@
vendingmarketwatch.com and share what you're focusing on in 2020.

Automatic Merchandiser * February/March 2020

Editorial
Advisory
Board
Joe Hessling
365 Retail
Markets

Josh
Rosenberg
CEO, PLNTSOP

John Reilly
Avanti Markets

Anant Agrawal
Cantaloupe
Systems
USA Technologies

Elyssa Steiner
Cantaloupe
Systems
USA Technologies

Carl Moser
Canteen
Corporate

Chuck Reed
Crane Payment
Innovations (CPI)

Jeff Whitacre
Food Express

Cory Hewett
Gimme
Michael Miller
Mondelēz
International

Paresh Patel
PayRange

Jeff Deitchler
Prairie Fire
Coffee

Jim Carbone
Tradecraft

Sandy
Thornton
VendEdge

http://www.linkedin.com/

Automatic_Merchandiser_February-March_2020

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