Shoppers now expect a hot drinks machine when they go to convenience stores and retailers that promote it well can drive food-to-go sales and store footfall. 

Peter Brooks, head of concepts at Tchibo, says: “Convenience stores are following the forecourt trend in which having a quality coffee is now an expectation.”

Here we look at the different benefits of five leading hot drinks machine suppliers. Mobile viewers should turn their phones horizontal to see them all.

	Jacobs Douwe Egberts Bean to Cup machine	Nescafé & Go	Rijo42	Rombouts Prime Pod Fresh	Tchibo Premio
What drinks can be offered from your machine?	Eight options including Espresso, Americano, Mocha and White Coffee	Choice of 10 drinks including Nescafé Gold Blend, Aero Hot Chocolate and Tetley Tea	Ten options including Americano, Caffee Latte and Latte Macchiato	Nine options, including cappuccino, Latte, Flat White and Americano	Eight options, including lattes, tea and hot chocolate in 12oz and 16oz
What is the initial cost of your machine?	Can be leased for £40 per week or bought outright	£99+VAT	£20-£50 per week, depending on the package type	From £28.77 per week	No upfront cost
Plumbing required?	Some models	No	It can be plumbed in free of charge	Yes	Yes
What is the cost of stock?	Not given	72p per cup including sundries	40p per cup	Not given	Not given
What sales can retailers expect?	Not given	By selling 20 cups per day, six days per week, 48 weeks per year at £1.10, retailers can make £6,336	On average, customers are selling 20-30 cups per day at £1.50-£2	15-100 cups a day	15-100 cups a day, which means £11,000- £76,000 turnover
What margins can they make?	Not given	34%	73-80%	65-80%	60% on revenue scheme
What are the advantages of partnering with you?	• Trusted household name • Retailers can charge a premium price • Flexible packages	• Machine has a small footprint • Low up-front cost • Initial heating time of less than 10 minutes	• Remain in control of the margins • Retailer takes all the profit	• Machines are easy to maintain • Uses pods which guarantee freshness • Packaging is recyclable and environmentally friendly	• Growing brand • Flexible approach to individual stores • No upfront cost