Thank you to aman -
one stop mount nod
Starting up a new company and trying to gain awareness of your brand is never easy, no matter which industry you are in. So, when a helping hand comes along to get you underway with industry experience and advice, it is the most welcome contact you can have.
We have written this article to thank a person that has done just that for us, and we are only at the beginning of this extremely valuable relationship.
Aman and his family have run a convenience store in Mount Nod for over 30 years. For the last 6 or so years they have traded as a One Stop which has become quite a destination convenience store in recent years. Aman saw an increasing trend in the drink-to-go market and understood that consumers would be looking for variety. Over the years he has built up a wealth of experience in how to satisfy consumer demands and now, as part of his One Stop Eat Street range has a number of different drinks options available, there really is something for everyone!
Why Choose Smart Soda?
Seeing that there was a gap in the market for a healthier alternative to the on-the-go drinks range. Aman came across Smart Soda who was gaining traction in the US working with the likes of 7-Eleven convenience stores and learnt that the UK arm was just getting set up. Smart Soda UK and Aman soon began to work together on developing the brand to suit the UK market. Not just for convenience stores, but with a range of drink dispensers that suit offices, bars, restaurants and hotels as well.
These early-stage communications with Aman were invaluable in ensuring that the product could not only meet the more health-conscious consumer but would also tick the HFSS (High in Fat, Salt and Sugar’) compliance box by offering a far more sustainable solution by reducing plastic and can wastage.
Aman added “From a consumer’s point of view, it is important for us to offer a healthier alternative drinks option. The added benefits to us are that Smart Soda can meet new regulations. Their systems are HFSS compliant and will also meet the requirements of the DRS (The Deposit and Return Scheme) legislation which is also imminent. The Smart Soda systems benefit us as a store, meet consumer demands as well as being kinder to the environment.”
You can learn more about what HFSS means and how we are compliant by reading our blog.
Everything we do begins with alkaline water.
A First for Europe
Friday 20th May 2022 saw Europe’s first installation of the Smart Soda Juli Touchscreen Dispenser at Aman’s One Stop in Mount Nod. Aman said “We are always keen to be the first to trial new products, we were the first in Coventry to install a Tango Blast dispenser and now we are the first in Europe to offer Smart Soda!
So far, the launch is going very well. The feedback from my customers is very positive, they really like the taste and the fact that the drinks are either low sugar or zero sugar with natural sweeteners. The drinks are particularly popular with parents who want to buy a healthier drink for their children.”
Aman’s Smart Soda Dispenser offers a choice of flavours including:
- Cola
- Pink Lemonade
- Strawberry and Watermelon
- Mixed Berry
- Orange
- Lemon and Lime
You can also add a Functional Shot to give an energy boost, enhance immunity or to help relax.
Aman will also be looking to change the flavours around, to keep his customers coming back and trying something new.
What About the Competition?
Following our attendance at the National Convenience Show and with some very powerful introductions to people with the convenience store community via Aman, interest is most definitely hotting up for Smart Soda dispensers. We asked Aman how he felt about having some industry competition. He smiled and said “Any competition is welcome! The more stores that offer Smart Soda the better as it will help build the awareness around communities which will drive the demand from the consumer. I hope to see Smart Soda everywhere!”
Future Plans
Aman is a key influencer within the C-store industry and an active member of the ACS (Association of Convenience Stores). To remain ahead he looks to worldwide trends and will be joining the ACS study group going to Europe to see what is new there. As for Smart Soda, we also have big plans for the future, including introducing a Smart Soda Healthier Slushie range. We asked his thoughts on this “Being able to offer a healthier slushie option would definitely be of interest.” Perhaps Aman will be the first in Europe to install one of these as well!
A Sincere Thank You
The Smart Soda team were in Coventry this week to see how Aman and his team were getting on. While there, Mark Butterfield, Smart Soda UK Sales & Marketing Director, happily commented:
“Being able to draw on Aman’s experience, enthusiasm and industry contacts has been of huge value to us at this early stage of our launch. We would like to send our sincere thank you to Aman and his amazing team at One Stop Mount Nod, Coventry. Their support of us is very much appreciated and we really look forward to developing this working relationship as we begin to push Smart Soda out UK wide.”
Want to Read More?
Read our blog C-Store Benefits to learn more about how offering a Smart Soda Drinks Station to your customers can benefit you. You can also read our blog On-The-Go Consumer Benefits to learn more about how our healthier drinks options can benefit your customers.
Are You Ready for Smart Soda?
Then get in touch with one of our friendly, experienced team members to take the first step.
