From Kopi ‘O’ at the neighborhood kopitiam, a Starbucks latte to-go, or Vietnamese coffee enjoyed outdoors in Hanoi, we can’t deny that Southeast Asia’s residents need their caffeine fix to get through the day. There’s been a significant demand in the coffee industry, especially in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (source). Traditional stores remain as the main source of distribution but patterns are rapidly shifting, especially as most consumption in the region is driven by affordability (source).
In Malaysia itself, coffee trends and consumption have changed over the past five years. The average Malaysian is said to consume about 2.5 cups of coffee per day. That makes over 27 billion coffee cups per year! (source).
Culturally, a cup of coffee is no longer just a cup of coffee in bustling Kuala Lumpur. Gone are the days of settling for a simple 3-in-1 instant fix. Now, everybody’s favourite morning pick-me-up has turned into a lifestyle. Good coffee has turned into something that’s sought after, with stylish cafes quickly turning into popular meeting spots or spots to be seen at. More than ever, the market for coffee is booming as keen interest and the demand for fresh new changes are rising.
So where is coffee headed in Malaysia? With chained cafes slowly growing out of fashion, we now see independent specialist coffee shops dominating the space. Multiple bean varieties, brewing methods and beautiful spaces attract coffee enthusiasts and Instagram junkies alike with the promise of new & fresh experiences. However, visiting these cafes can get costly. According to the 2016 Global Coffee Price Index, the average cup of coffee in Malaysia is priced at RM7.34 (US$1.67) which understandably may not be very accessible to many (source).
With the promise of rapid growth in the scene, it’s understandable that now’s as exciting a time as ever for the market to grow in Malaysia. But as trends, convenience and price converge, how do coffee brands stand out amongst the masses?
This is where vBarista by VendPays comes into play. Compressing premium cafe’s into just five-foot square, vBarista vending machines ensure top-quality and hassle-free coffee. Malaysians no longer need to worry about venturing far to seek a satisfactory cup of joe as the machine makes above average coffee readily available via a cashless payment solution. The flash of a QR code means users only need their smartphones with them to pay, eliminating any issue of carrying exact change. As the nation moves towards becoming a more cashless society, this change will be considered a most convenient one indeed.
vBarista’s coffee retails below RM5/cup, making it one of the most affordable choices in the market. To top off its convenience factor, these machines are primarily located in Caltex petrol stations, universities, hotels and office complexes, making it easily accessible for those in the city. vBarista carries 14 choices in its beverage list to cater to all drinkers, be they caffeine or non-caffeine enthusiasts.
Though vending machines aren’t usually synonymous with great-tasting coffee, vBarista begs to differ. It uses prestigious Vergnano coffee beans sourced from Italy; beans that carry a 136-year strong legacy under its name and which have gotten even the approval of heavily-acclaimed celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay. Furthermore, the built-in water storage solution in these machines ensure that there is a hygienic replenishment system to enable simpler deployment. Its telemetry solution enables investors to keep track with vBarista’s sales without having to be physically present at each vending machine location. The cloud service makes machine sales available via mobile phone, thus making it easy to stay on top of things.
With an emphasis on quality, affordability and smart technological solutions, here’s hoping that great coffee will turn from an occasional luxury to an everyday fixture for all Malaysians.
