südback will provide concept solutions for bakeries, cake shops and cafés, including product innovations and a focus on coffee trends. With German consumers sipping around four cups a day – two of which, outside the home, it is a steady market for bakery cafés.
Coffee is a source of revenue despite an increase in the price of coffee by over 50% and even up to 100% per kg, between January 2021 and January 2022, according to the International Coffee Organization (ICO). The price hike is driven by increased consumption doubled with poor harvests. It has not deterred consumers from spending money on the coffee of their choice, especially in Germany: “There is hardly any other country in the world where so much money is so readily spent on coffee as in Germany,” said Detlev Schlünder, Sales Manager Germany at Bartscher GmbH. “However, if customers pay EUR 4.00 for a cappuccino, they are entitled to expect a certain level of quality,” he added. The quality of the coffee is determined by the selection of beans as well as the coffee machine and the person behind it.
“A successful coffee business starts with the beans,” explained Katja Scholz, Product Manager at Melitta Professional. “Operators of cafés, bakeries and cake shops can specifically highlight sustainability and enjoyment if they use top-quality coffee from fair ecological.” In addition, the experience is enhanced by the story from the bean to the coffee cup. Coffee suppliers have already started investing more in the sustainable production of coffee. For example, the share of organic certified coffee on the market has increased by just under 900% in the last 20 years, according to the Representative Coffee Consumption Study in 2022 made by the German Coffee Association.
“The use of sustainable products is not only environmentally-friendly, but it is also good for business,” said Julia Piechotta, Managing Director of Spoontainable GmbH. “Bakeries and cafés should actively make their customers aware that they have corresponding products available.”
In addition, milk alternatives are still gaining traction, among people sensitive to dairy and food-conscious customers. In line with these market demands, a large number of coffee machine manufacturers offer fully automatic machines with two milk tanks for two milk variants, and even at times with a separate feed line.
Networking of machines is another trending topic that will be presented at südback. These systems are interesting, especially for large companies and bakery chains with a large number of shops. The coffee machine registers the coffee consumption level, what products rank among the top sellers, the time when cleaning is due and whether maintenance or another service is necessary. If a coffee machine has an Internet connection, remote access is easy and problems can be quickly resolved.
The exhibitors at südback, which is being held in Stuttgart from 22 to 25 October 2022, will present the complete range of product solutions in the coffee market for bakeries, cake shops and cafés.
COVID is changing coffee consumption
Acute shortages of skilled workers are forcing bakeries and cake shops to operate with fewer employees, making workflow optimization increasingly more important – to meet production demands without placing added pressure on the existing staff.
“Due to COVID, there has been a marked increase in the demand for self-service facilities with the possibility of contactless payment,” said Axel Fähnle, Head of Global Brand Marketing at WMF Professional Coffee Machines. “Our coffee machines can be equipped with a digital payment system. Customers now order their coffee using an app or directly via the machine display and pay conveniently with their smartphone, an intelligent watch or a voucher. These smart concepts noticeably relieve the burden on staff without the guests having to forgo good coffee quality.”
About südback
Around 600 exhibitors meet trade visitors from home and abroad at südback, on an exhibition area of approximately 56,600 square meters (gross). Companies showcase their latest in working and operating technology, raw materials, merchandise, shop fixtures and fittings, sales promotion and services relating to the bakery trade.
Photo: Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH
