In a dynamic twist for the food and beverage industry, Avolta, currently recognized as the largest travel retailer globally, has launched a pioneering initiative, Avolta Next. Set in Milan, this innovation hub aims to empower budding startups in the F&B sector, creating a thriving ecosystem where new ideas can flourish. Designed over a year, this initiative targets not just the F&B sector but also aims to expand across various retail segments, ultimately seeking to enhance the overall travel experience.
Through the establishment of a dedicated space, Avolta Next is building an incubator for transformative ideas that can reshape traveler interactions with food and drink. With a clear focus, Avolta has expressed its ambition to cultivate a community of innovators dedicated to enhancing the travel experience through direct engagement with industry professionals.
The inception of Avolta Next was marked by an open call a year ago intended for innovative ideas within the food and beverage and highway sectors. The initiative garnered an impressive response, attracting over 100 applications from four different continents, ultimately leading to the selection of five promising startups that currently inhabit a 2,400 square-foot facility. This site is strategically located alongside Autogrill’s Factory Food Designers, a breeding ground for new food and retail concepts.
Each of the selected startups focuses on unique aspects of innovation. For instance, GANIGA INNOVATION employs artificial intelligence to enhance waste management practices, utilizing their product, Hoooly!. This revolutionary waste bin merges robotics and AI to offer waste sorting capabilities while delivering analytics on efficiency and sustainability.
Similarly, GEORADIO brings storytelling to the forefront with its freeLoquis travel podcast platform, which boasts over three million engaged listeners. Organized by diverse categories, including food and drink, the podcasts provide a unique perspective on various locations globally, enhancing the connection between travelers and their destinations.
Innovative Solutions to Global Challenges
Meanwhile, another startup, PLASTIZ, is tackling the pervasive challenge of plastic waste by implementing thermoforming technology. By creating aesthetic and functional panels specifically designed for interior design applications, PLASTIZ is contributing to a shift towards sustainable practices in design.
In the realm of retail technology, SENSEI is pioneering AI-driven autonomous shopping experiences, similar to Amazon’s innovative Just Walk Out concept. With applications successfully implemented in fully autonomous supermarkets in Brazil, this startup exemplifies the potential of AI in revolutionizing the shopping experience, particularly in high-traffic travel environments.
Lastly, SIMPLY SFA enhances flavor creativity through sophisticated taste-analysis kits, helping brands understand consumer preferences more deeply. By analyzing aspects such as smell and visual appeal, they offer insights that can significantly enhance product development processes.
Alessandro Benetton, chair of Edizione and honorary chairman of Avolta, encapsulated the ethos of Avolta Next perfectly, stating, “Every great idea needs a nurturing environment.” This platform aims not only to support existing ideas but to foster the emergence of new global champions in the F&B sector. Xavier Rossinyol, CEO of Avolta, reiterated this vision by emphasizing that innovation hinges on transforming the traveler experience through new technologies, global data, and AI.
Furthermore, Avolta Next aspires to replicate the successful trajectory of Autogrill in airport retail but with a more accelerated approach. To achieve this, the initiative must keenly identify startups and concepts that align with the preferences and expectations of traveling consumers—all while maintaining scalability.
In Germany, for instance, Gebr. Heinemann has established its own tech vision hub, Gharage, to scout for similar startups to invest in, demonstrating the competitive landscape of retail innovation. One noteworthy partnership includes Wi-Charge, which provides wireless power solutions for digital signage, and Quorso, a data-driven platform focused on optimizing sales and operational costs.
As Avolta Next expands to encompass all facets of the travel retail universe, there are plans for forthcoming calls for fresh ideas able to propel the sector forward. The emphasis on investing in promising businesses suggests a solid commitment to driving innovation through collaboration and partnership.
As Avolta Next unfolds its potential, the synergy between startups and established giants in the travel retail sector could indeed herald a new era of creativity and efficiency. By investing in and nurturing the right innovations, Avolta is poised not just to elevate the F&B sector but to redefine how travelers experience food and drink in transit. The future of travel retail could be an exciting one, as the strategic foresight displayed by Avolta Next seeks to illuminate the roads ahead for startups and consumers alike.