UNIC Retail Group meeting - 25 February 2020

The meeting was opened by Oliver Delaney (Coca-Cola) and Laura Houlgatte (UNIC). This was followed by a presentation from Karolina Wiernicka (European Knowledge and Insights Manager, Coca-Cola) on European macro-consumers and retail trends in 2020. Patience Tucker from Wi-Q then presented their app solution for ordering food. Best practices on digital retail were then shared with a focus on F&B pre-order, digital kiosks and order-to-seat. Sarah Girling (The Blue Stocking Partnership) then gave an update on the UNIC Circular Economy Retail group, including an upcoming research project described in more detail below. The rest of the meeting gave UNIC members the opportunity to exchange best practice and discuss test projects. The meeting ended with a visit to the ODEON Luxe & Dine Islington, a dine-in premium cinema.

The following day was dedicated to the launch of the UNIC/Coca Cola "Brief Cases" project. In collaboration with the University of the Arts London, the project tasks design students from various courses with designing an innovative disposable packaging and visual communications message with the aim to increase the amount of disposable packaging being recycled by making it easier for guests and cinemas. Students will have to produce the mock-up of the packaging solution, as well as storyboards to present a concept campaign and a solution with a clear rationale. A panel composed of experts from Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont, Odeon and Nordisk Film Cinemas will evaluate the projects submitted by the students. The winners will get to present their solution at CineEurope in June 2020 during the Coca-Cola sustainability seminar.

The meeting at the University of the Arts, London was kicked-off by Veronica Heaven from Brief Cases, outlining the company's aims in terms of managing the national student competition and industry engagement initiative, supporting sustainable industries for the future, finding new talents, etc. Laura Houlgatte then gave a short presentation about UNIC and legislative developments around sustainability in Europe. Oliver Delaney then presented the UNIC Circular Economy Retail Group, as well as Coca-Cola initiatives towards recycling and packaging. Sarah Girling insisted on efforts already made by the industry across Europe and highlighted the various key challenges around recycling for cinema operators. This was followed by a detailed briefing on the projet by Veronica Heaven, explaining what would be expected from students in the coming weeks. All participants then proceeded into workshops where cinema operators shared their expertise and gave very concrete presentations about the cinema retail environment and its requirements.

A mid-point review will take place mid March, ahead of a short listing at the end of April and judging at the end of May. Watch this space!