Innovazione

📹 At Triestespresso Expo 2024, HorecaTv interviewed La San Marco's brand ambassador Francesco Costanzo, who showcased the new E.Luxury coffee machine with versatile preparation capabilities and advanced technology. The expo also featured a Latte Art workshop led by multiple champion Salvatore Riunno.

🛒 Soft POS devices are transforming the retail experience by allowing merchants to accept payments via smartphone apps, like Worldline's Tap on Mobile for Android. Juniper Research predicts soft POS transactions will skyrocket from $1 billion in 2023 to $11.8 billion by 2028, with the number of smartphones utilizing soft POS to grow by 683% to 61 million globally. Italy currently has 38,000 soft POS out of 3.2 million terminals, indicating significant growth potential, particularly for businesses seeking in-store and mobile flexibility.

🍷 Randy Ullom, Jackson Family Wines VP, discusses low-sugar wines at Simei, Milan's world-leading Unione italiana vini fair. U.S. buyers, including those from Constellation Brands and Francis Ford Coppola, show keen interest in dealcoholization technologies. Italian firm Omnia Technologies unveils 'Libero', a continuous cycle dealcoholization innovation. Mionetto, with German parent Henkel, doubles sparkling wine sales to 4 million bottles, mainly in Germany, USA, Northern Europe, and Eastern Europe.

🍸 Shuto Yokota, Japanese bartender and assistant bar manager at Marina Bay Sands Resort in Singapore, won the national championships in 2023. The mixology scene in Asia focuses on low-alcohol and low-sugar cocktails, with a trend seen in both Asia and the West. Frederick Ma grabbed media attention by winning the WCC24 in Madeira. Yokota, who competes in both 'Flair' and 'Classic' categories, emphasizes the importance of versatility and innovation in mixology. The shift towards less alcoholic and sugary drinks is linked to a broader range of available products and customers' desire for unique experiences. Yokota suggests passion is key for emerging bartenders, as evidenced by his consecutive titles as Singapore champion.

🍸 Terrazza Duomo 21 in Milan unveils a new drink list titled "Il Giro del Mondo in 10 Cocktail," offering a sensory journey through continents with each cocktail telling a cultural story. Bar manager David Grigolato leads the team, blending global flavors into drinks like "Polemic, Fumo d’Autunno, Caffè delle Indie," and exclusive Malfy Gin-based cocktails. The list also includes sophisticated non-alcoholic options like mocktails and non-alcoholic beers, catering to wellness trends. Open daily from 11 am to 11 pm, the lounge is both public and exclusive for events. Reservations can be made at +39 02 47755459 or info@terrazzaduomo21.it.

🍻 Alcoholic beverages are forecasted to outgrow other drink categories with a CAGR of +9.4% in value and +3.6% in volume over the next five years. The "Next-Gen Beverages" study by London-based GlobalData attributes this growth to premiumization, convenience, and Gen Z's influence. Consumers favor high-quality, unique flavors and craftsmanship. Ready-to-drink alcohols, especially portable and single-serve, are expected to see the fastest CAGR in volume at 6.7% from 2024 to 2028. Millennials and Gen Z prioritize authenticity, innovation, and responsible choices over brand loyalty, often guided by social media. Artificial intelligence could further meet the rising demand for premium, practical products in the alcohol sector.

☕ At Triestespresso Expo 2024, Fabio Russo interviewed Roberto Nocera, General Manager of La San Marco SpA, who introduced new coffee machine innovations. The Low Effort Leva (LEL) technology, introduced at the fair, reduces the barista’s effort by 30%. The Quick Discharge System (QDS) innovation improves coffee extraction, allowing immediate subsequent brewing. The new E.LUXURY model features multiboiler technology, pressure profiling, and PID algorithm for customizable temperature and pressure, enhancing coffee quality. The collection includes 14 models with three technical patents, catering to baristas worldwide.

✈ Taiwan's Eva Air offers 24/7 bilingual customer service in Chinese and English. The service is available through local hotline calls, with local language assistance provided during regular service hours. In 2019, Eva Air introduced a traditional Chinese AI chatbot that answers over 500 FAQs. Moreover, they have implemented the Genesys system with a "virtual queue" feature, allowing passengers to opt for callbacks, thus reducing wait times.

🛢 Scandinavian Airlines partners with Danish green hydrogen producers and Dutch industrial markets to establish Europe's leading green hydrogen cluster. The partnership was formalized by signing a declaration at the Danish-Dutch Hydrogen Cooperation Forum at Danish Industry headquarters. The transnational initiative aims to link Danish production with Dutch demand for green hydrogen.

🥃 Simei's current edition showcases the expanding spirits section, partnering with Distillo, a micro-distillery equipment fair now at its third edition. The event also gained support from the Consorzio Nazionale Grappa, with President Sebastiano Caffo discussing the cultural and commercial value of grappa and amari at a special conference titled “Grappa e Amari, Eccellenze italiane”. The conference reflects on these Italian distilled spirits' growing international success.