The UK’s merchandising, espresso services and products and automatic retail trade generated £3.78 billion in earnings in 2025, in step with the AVA’s 2025 Census & Market Report. That is up 3.3% on 2024 and 5% above the pre-Covid 2019 baseline, appearing that the field has now not most effective recovered however is now outperforming wider UK financial enlargement.
Traditional merchandising and Office Coffee Service in combination delivered £3.13 billion in earnings, whilst product earnings rose 6.8% to £2.28 billion, just about 10% above pre-pandemic ranges. Category enlargement used to be led via chilly beverages, up 15.4%, adopted via meals at 12.2%, snacks at 5.7% and scorching drinks at 4.1%. Operators reported moderate earnings enlargement of seven% in 2025, and 90% be expecting the marketplace to develop once more in 2026.
Standalone sensible refrigerators had been the fastest-growing layout, emerging via round 50% in a yr to two,850 devices, pushed via call for for versatile foods and drinks choices in hybrid offices. Micro-markets additionally grew to 785 installations. Cashless generation is now suited to 95% of pay-vend machines, with 84% of transactions on enabled machines made with out money. Mobile bills account for 62% of cashless purchases, up from 8% in 2017, and cashless customers now spend two times as a lot consistent with transaction as coin customers.
Premiumisation additionally continues to boost revenues. Coffee-to-Go generated £645 million from 33,200 machines, with a median promoting worth of £2.89 when put next with £0.56 for a standard merchandising scorching drink. More than 40% of recent tabletop machines now come with recent milk programs for barista-style beverages.
The record additionally highlights development on well being and sustainability, with 80% of chilly beverages now assembly low-sugar requirements and plastic cups virtually eradicated.
David Llewellyn, Chief Executive of the AVA, mentioned the findings display an trade reworked via generation, high quality and comfort, whilst caution that proposed law on power beverages may considerably injury operator revenues regardless of present voluntary safeguards.
