Nestlé is rolling out its touchless coffee machines to offer an extra level of safety as virus-wary office workers return to workplaces. The contactless coffee machines can be controlled via smartphones to allay concerns over viral transmissions. 

The expansion of coffee machines is part of the post-covid recovery effort as people prepare to return to the office and employers are keen to make their workers feel safe. 

“Nespresso Momento machines are being rolled out globally. The Momento Milk machine is now available in France, the UK, Germany, Switzerland and Portugal since October and global expansion will start in the rest of Europe, in the US and Australia,” a Nestlé spokesperson tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

“Coffee drinkers can control those machines via their own smartphone in a secure way. 

As consumers are returning to offices, we are rolling out touchless coffee machines globally to respond to the need for safe workplaces,” they continue. 

The maker of Nespresso and Nescafé wants to reassure office workers who might be cautious about returning to the workplace after months of at-home working. 

Post-pandemic coffee growth
At the same time, in-home coffee consumption has been increasing over the COVID-19 pandemic period as people are holed up at home more than usual. 

Nestle’s at-home products offer a chance to spice up their at-home coffee consumption with some new products, including new flavors aimed to win over more consumers making coffee at home.

The coffee collaboration between Starbucks and Nestlé picked up pace last year with the launch of Starbucks’ premium instant coffee. The range includes Medium Roast and Dark Roast coffees, as well as a variety of coffee beverages and a tea latte. 

Starbucks and Nestlé’s partnership initially began in May 2018 when Nestlé paid US$7.15 billion for rights to sell Starbucks packaged coffee teas around the world. It is proving exceptionally fruitful as at-home coffee consumption spikes.

Last October, Nestlé reported buoyant sales in e-commerce sales, convenience foods, health ingredients and coffee, all of which contributed to organic growth of 3.5 percent in the first nine-months of 2020. 

“Strong organic growth was broad-based and supported by sustained momentum in the Americas, Purina PetCare and Nestlé Health Science, as well as the acceleration of our coffee business in the third quarter,” highlighted Mark Schneider, CEO, at the time.

At-home expansion
The Nestlé spokesperson also underscored how the company saw strong growth in the at-home coffee market last year.

“There was strong demand for Nescafé, Nespresso and Starbucks products. We believe this segment will continue to grow,” they add.

Speaking about coffee trends, they said there are three main trends: Nestlé is responding with innovation and points to its coffee initiative that is breathing new life into ailing coffee-producing regions as Nespresso continues to reinvigorate areas that have been blighted by conflicts, economic hardships or environmental disasters.

“Consumers search for traditional coffee know-how, with a strong emphasis on quality, safety, and transparency. The range of our Nespresso Master origins products and the Reviving Origins, which promotes coffee development in the origin countries, respond to that,” the spokesperson notes.

“Consumers are looking for an inspiring and personalized experience that goes beyond just food and drink consumption. They are eager to discover new brewing techniques and more elaborated hot and cold beverages. We invest in recreating this experience by offering beverages such as Cold Brew coffee.”

“Consumers also pay more attention to what they drink and want more out of their coffee. They are looking for products with a particular nutritional value to maintain good health. Our offerings such as plant-based coffee latte and Nescafé 2x caffeine ranges respond to that,” the spokesperson concludes.