2017 NAMA OneShow: Personalized Nutrition, Coffee, Fresh Food On Demand, And Technology Driving Convenience Services Industry Trends

Las Vegas – April 19, 2017 – Whether it’s water you can add flavor to, or coffee blends like golden latte offering anti-inflammatory benefits, the 2017 NAMA OneShow is all about personalization and choice. With more than 300 exhibiting companies, the world’s largest convenience services tradeshow features trends and more in all things snack, micro market and office refreshment services. 

Specialty coffee, fresh, healthy snacks and innovative technology are driving today’s convenience services industry, which serves millions of Americans every day, delivering what they want, when they want it, how they want it where they work, live and play. 

“Today, consumers are looking for choice and convenience in fresh and functional foods as well as beverages,” according to Roni Moore, NAMA Vice President. “Americans consume more than 17 billion snacks and beverages annually; the convenience services industry is delivering what consumers want and need.” 

Personalized Nutrition and Snacking Throughout the Day 

Snacking is the new dining, with millennials preferring to graze on small, bite-sized meals vs. traditional meal occasions. In 2016, 62 percent of all Millennials reported snacking throughout the day, and 47 percent said they consumed more than four or more snacks a day.¹ 

With more consumers reading labels and making decisions based on current food trends, personalization is rising in popularity. From alkaline to special flavors and even caffeine, beverages can be customized for consumer taste and needs. 

Estimates say that three-quarters of all vending operators now offer healthier snack choices, up from two-thirds last year.² At this year’s OneShow, one in five new exhibitors will feature better-for-you products as consumers demand healthier options. 

NAMA’s signature nutrition program FitPick is celebrating 12 years of helping consumers make better choices by using eye-catching labels to identify better for you snacks. FitPick’s updated nutrition standards focus on fewer calories, limited fat, sugar and sodium, in line with nationally recognized nutrition standards for the workplace and USDA Smart Snacks in School standards for schools. 

Micro Markets to Top 35,000 

Micro market growth continues its rapid trajectory, up from 9,000 in 2014, with 35,000 expected in the next five years. Micro markets and micro kitchens fuse industry technology and trends – offering fresh foods and better-for-you snacks in a convenient form for consumers and companies alike. These retail kiosks can lead to higher productivity and fewer sick days in workplaces, hospitals, hotels, and universities. 

Technology Driving Convenience Services 

Technology continues to shape the industry, whether it’s allowing operators to offer more non- consumables like shoes or phone chargers, an app that lets consumers to order and pay for their snacks and beverages via app without ever touching the machine, intelligent vending machines able to showcase nutrition labels, or Google Glass technology helping make driver routes more efficient. 

“Today’s technology is helping Americans make better choices and making it easier to pay, while innovation is assisting our industry with meeting consumer demand even more conveniently,” said Moore. 

About NAMA 

Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $25 billion U.S. convenience services industry. With more than 1,000 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

1 PLMA 2016 survey “America’s Eating Habits Are Changing”  

2 NAMA’s FitPick 2017