Convenience Archives - Smart Soda https://smartsoda.co.uk/category/convenience/ Drink Brilliant Wed, 26 Apr 2023 10:34:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://smartsoda.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/favicon-150x150.png Convenience Archives - Smart Soda https://smartsoda.co.uk/category/convenience/ 32 32 Europe’s First Healthier Drinks Station https://smartsoda.co.uk/europes-first-healthier-drinks-station/ Thu, 26 May 2022 11:16:34 +0000 https://smartsoda.co.uk/?p=8507 In our latest blog we would like to sincerely thank Aman of One Stop Mount Nod for being Europe's first healthier drinks station adopter.

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Europe's First Healthier Drinks Station

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.

This blog is written for Aman Uppal of One Stop, Mount Nod in Coventry

One Stop Mount Nod

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.

Contact Us
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]]> Are We HFSS Compliant? https://smartsoda.co.uk/are-we-hfss-compliant/ Wed, 25 May 2022 09:31:38 +0000 https://smartsoda.co.uk/?p=8485 In this blog we explain what HFSS is, how it is affecting businesses and the consumer and answer the question - are we HFSS compliant?

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Are We HFSS Compliant

Is Smart Soda HFSS Compliant?

HFSS is a hot topic right now, particularly for our convenience store customers. But what is HFSS? How will it affect businesses? How will it affect the consumer? And are Smart Soda HFSS compliant? We will answer all these questions in our most recent blog…

What is HFSS?

HFSS stands for ‘High in Fat, Salt and Sugar’. As part of the government’s strategy to tackle obesity they will be restricting unhealthy food promotions in stores from October of this year.

How Will HFSS Affect Businesses?

This will see the end of the ‘buy one get one free’ type promotions on HFSS products. This also means that promotions on less healthy products can no longer be featured in key locations in stores, such as the checkout area. To learn more about the regulations, you can visit the GOV.UK page here.

How Will HFSS Affect the Consumer?

With almost two-thirds of adults and one third of children in England overweight or obese, obesity related illnesses are costing the NHS billions every year. The HFSS restrictions will help support people in achieving and maintain a healthy weight to improve their overall well-being. With convenience stores and supermarkets focusing more on healthier choices, this will encourage a positive change in consumer behaviours.

Are Smart Soda HFSS Compliant?

In short – YES!!

All our drinks offer the consumer a healthier alternative to mainstream drinks brands. First of all, we offer a unique alkaline water platform which provides the healthiest water available. Added to this, the flavourings are vitamin-infused and are either low in sugar (lower than the HFSS threshold) or zero sugar. We only use Stevia plant-based sweetener in our syrups, which are natural tasting, vegan, kosher, antioxidant rich and gluten-free.

Everything we do begins with alkaline water.

Watermelon Water

Why Smart Soda?

If you are looking for a unique healthier drinks station which is HFSS compliant for your store, then you found it!

Our eye-catching self-serve touchscreen dispensers will give the ‘wow’ factor for your customers. And while they serve themselves, you free up more time for your staff, free up shelf space with less stocking of canned and bottled drinks, gain high gross profit margins, all while remaining compliant. It’s a win-win!

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.

Contact Us
LinkedIn
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Twitter

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]]> Team Focus | Mark Butterfield https://smartsoda.co.uk/team-focus-mark-butterfield/ Mon, 25 Apr 2022 13:24:40 +0000 https://smartsoda.co.uk/?p=8397 In the first of our Team Focus blogs we introduce Mark Butterfield whose primary goal is building our network of Convenience Stores across the country.

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sparkling water dispenser office

Building our profile with convenience stores

Here at Smart Soda we understand the importance of building strong and trusted customer relationships. We know we have a great product that can bring added benefits and profits to convenience stores from their on-the-go-drinks customers. But who are the people behind the idea? How did they come about building this disruptive healthier drinks brand in the UK? More importantly - what is their favourite flavour!

Find all the answers and more in a series of short blogs introducing you to the Smart Soda team members. First up – Mark Butterfield, Sales & Marketing Director and promotor of Smart Soda drinks dispensers into the forecourt and convenience store marketplace.

Introducing Mark Butterfield (he's the one on the left!)

Where did you grow up?

I was born and grew up in Leicestershire and as a consequence have been a lifelong supporter of the Leicester Tigers and Leicester City FC, through good times and bad! 🙂

Where did you go to school/university?

I went to Oakham School in Rutland (smallest county in England) then Loughborough University as sport was my passion and driving force!

Who has been your strongest influence in life?

My Mother – she was a great advocate of ‘power of the mind’ and always put her children and grandchildren first.

In three words, how would friends/acquaintances describe you?

Enthusiastic – Energetic – Focused

How did your career lead you to where you are now?

The great thing about a career in sales is that it is a voyage of continual and never ending improvement and discovery. You never stop learning and striving for better.

What are you most proud of accomplishing?

The creation, growth and eventual sale of the UK Water Group. We started from scratch and grew the business to be the No.1 in the market. 7 of the Top 10 Footsie 100 were clients plus the likes of the Football Association, Department of Health, The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon etc.

How did you come up with this business idea?

Having established a strong reputation in the drinking water industry over many years, we were approached by Lior Shafir, CEO and Founder of Smart Soda Holdings Inc, in the US, who thought we might be excited by joining forces and setting up Smart Soda UK Ltd as part of a global expansion plan.

If you had the chance, what would you have done differently?

Worried less about things that never came to pass?

What is your favourite sports team?

Leicester Tigers – I’ve followed them across Europe over the years. My colleague Richard supports Northampton Saints, so there is normally good banter on a Monday morning in the office – post matches!

Unusual hobbies or interests?

I’m passionate about cold water immersion and conscious breathing both of which I practice daily. I also regularly attend Yoga/Barre classes and am an active Litter Picker!

What is your favourite Smart Soda flavour?

Zingy Ginger Beer with an Energy Shot. It not only dances on the palate but it provides an extra kick of energy during a long day.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of a Smart Soda Drinks Dispenser read our blog C-Store Benefits. 

 

To meet Mark or another of our experienced team, contact us now by clicking the button below.

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]]> On The Go Consumer Benefits https://smartsoda.co.uk/on-the-go-consumer-benefits/ Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:41:40 +0000 https://smartsoda.co.uk/?p=8364 With health conscious consumers driving the soft drinks market, we look at the benefits to the on the go customer for convenience stores to have a Smart Soda Drinks Station to meet their demands.

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On The Go Consumer

Health Conscious Consumers Drive the Market

Health conscious consumers with high quality expectations are now driving the soft drinks market. They are snubbing both traditional soft drinks, loaded with high fructose corn syrup and their standard ‘diet’ counterparts, that are muddled with unidentifiable artificial sweeteners. 

They are demanding healthier alternatives…

Enter Smart Soda!

Smart Soda is the world’s first water company to offer vitamin–infused, flavoured sparkling alkaline waters and sodas made with only plant-based natural sweetener, reduced British beet sugar or no sugar at all. Our drinks are vegan, antioxidant–rich, gluten–free and can be boosted with unique functional shots. 

So what does the Smart Soda range of soda and sparkling waters have to offer the health-conscious, savvy, environmentally aware consumer of soft drinks?

Here are just a few of the benefits to wet your appetite:

Everything starts with Alkaline Water

Unlike other fizzy drinks, our systems re-balance the acidic effect in producing a softer, cleaner tasting water as a base for all our sodas and flavoured waters. So, as well as the health benefits of alkaline water, your teeth will also say ‘thanks’ and you will love the clean, light taste as a base for our delicious healthier range of soft drinks.

Mouth-watering range of flavours

UK produced drinks with a wide choice of 10 flavours (within our Craft Soda Low Sugar, Craft Soda Zero and Infused Waters ranges).

Zero sugar options

Within our Infused Waters and Craft Soda Zero.

Vitamin infused

For a healthier drink – includes B3, B5, B6, B12 and C.

Functional Shots

To suit your mood – our advanced and dynamic platform gives consumers the ability to enhance their drink with either Energy Focus, Immunity Boost or Relaxation.

Natural

Only plant-based, natural Stevia sweetener is used.

Eye-catching

Attractive self-serve touchscreen dispensers for you to create your own drink.

Sustainable

Sustainable alternative to ‘Ready to Drink’ (RTD) option to reduce carbon footprint and only compostable cups and straws are used.

There are so many benefits a Smart Soda Drinks Dispenser can provide, for more information on how they can benefit you and your convenience store, read our blog C-Store Benefits. 

 

To speak to one of our friendly team, contact us now by clicking the button below.

Contact Us
Watermelon Water
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]]> C-Store Benefits https://smartsoda.co.uk/c-store-benefits/ Fri, 15 Apr 2022 10:59:36 +0000 https://smartsoda.co.uk/?p=8325 Providing your customers with a healthier drinks option can mean healthier profits. Read our blog to learn the C-Store Benefits of fitting a Smart Soda Drinks Station.

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How Smart Soda Can Benefit Your C-Store

How Smart Soda Can Benefit Your C-Store

Whether you run or own a convenience store or petrol forecourt, attracting repeat custom will be key to your success. Looking to keep ahead in a competitive marketplace can be a constant headache when trying to think up new ways to stand out.

Consumers are becoming more and more money savvy. Having their purse strings constantly tightened in the current economic climate means they will be even more conscious not to waste their hard-earned pounds. Not only are there pressures with regard to consumer awareness but there are other influences that can affect yours and their purchase decisions. For example, the sugar tax, this has caused the mainstream drink manufacturers to increase their prices and don’t

forget the new plastic tax that has just come into force, this also will inevitably be passed on to the consumer in the months to come.

 

Tackling obesity in the UK and promoting a healthier diet is high up on the Government’s agenda. This will also have an impact on society with a view to more and more consumers becoming increasingly aware of the content of what they drink and strive for healthier options.

 

Lucky for you, appealing to the more money and health-conscious consumer is what we do best!

Everything we do begins with alkaline water.

Innovative Drink Stations for Convenience Stores

Our on-the-go drinks systems are not only eco-friendly but offer a far healthier choice of beverage. There are a myriad of benefits to fitting a Smart Soda Drinks Station, here is our Top 10 for you:

1. Zero or Lower Sugar Drinks Sell More

Due to our drinks having lower or zero sugar, they do not attract sugar tax which keeps the cost of our drinks lower. We also only use Stevia, which is a plant based sweetener, so our drinks provide a healthier option to your customers who may be looking to move away from the normal sugar or sucralose loaded offerings.

 

In a recent Convenience Store article, they mention that a massive seven out of ten convenience shoppers say that sugar content, or lack thereof, is important when choosing a soft drink for on-the-go missions.

 

Read the full Convenience Store article here.

2. Mouth Watering Range of Flavours

Get your customers taste buds watering with a choice of tasty flavours such as Cherry Vanilla Zero or Lemon and Lime Zero, or, of course, the most popular Cola Zero. You will see your customers return again and again to try a different flavour or mix it up with a Functional Shot…

3. Functional Shots to Suit a Mood

Our Functional Shots can be added to any drink and can provide unique health benefits which will bring customers back time and again. They can choose from Immunity, Relaxation or our popular Energy boosting shot.

4. Vitamin Infused for a Healthier Drink

We infuse our drinks with vitamins B3, B5, B6, B12 and C. Discover a whole new profit opportunity by offering healthier drinks options to your customers.

5. Eye-Catching Self-Serve Touchscreen Dispensers

Give your customers the ‘wow’ factor in your convenience store with our vibrant and innovative self-serve touchscreen dispenser equipment with an integral eye-catching video. While customers happily serve themselves, this frees up more time for your staff to do what they do best.

soft drinks dispensers for restaurants

6. Better Utilisation of Your Shelf Space

By fitting one of our drinks systems there will be less need to offer canned and bottled drinks which can free up shelf space. Your staff will spend less time restocking as well because just one of our bag in box soft drinks produces the equivalent of 180 bottled drinks!

7. Buy British

Support British manufacturers by fitting our drinks stations with Smart Soda syrups, all produced here in the UK.

8. Profit Opportunities

And now for the number crunching! Our systems provide a higher gross profit margin than the Ready to Drink offerings. This will mean a healthier profit opportunity for you. Offering our drinks as part of a Meal Deal can also provide a higher profit as well as engaging with your customers more which will bring repeat business and drive footfall.


With flexible finance options you can have a station fitted to suit your capital expenditure budgets or choose a leasing option to spread the cost over a number of months.

9. Looking After you After the Sale

We provide a full after care programme to ensure your equipment is tip top condition, this not only means it remains aesthetically appealing to your customers, but you can continue to run your business knowing that the system it is looked after and reliable.

10. And Most Importantly - Helping the Environment

By fitting one of our sustainable soft drink systems, there will be no bottles, cans or polystyrene to dispose of. Our cups are fully compostable which will appeal to the environmentally friendly as well as support your sustainability credentials, reduce your carbon footprint and provide a cleaner, plastic free environment.

These are just a few of the many benefits a Smart Soda Drinks Dispenser can provide, for more information or to speak to one of our friendly team, contact us now by clicking the button below.

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