How SWOT analysis saved our business in difficult times

by Ray Friedrich

Through SWOT we knew in 2008 that the vending industry would be depressed for the foreseeable future, so we looked at this totally unproven, new technology …

Starbucks: 'Pandemic to blame for disappointing China sales'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Starbucks reported Thursday that Q4 revenue fell short of expectations, thanks to a 7% drop in same-store sales in China.

Pandemic, demographic change drive sports betting, e-sports

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Appealing to younger audiences, sports betting exchanges and e-sports are also driving the growth of cryptocurrency and other digital assets.

Micro market/technology powerhouse set to boost convenience services

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Joe Hessling, founder and CEO of 365 Retail Markets, envisions a big future for the recent merger of his company with Avanti Markets and Lightspeed Automation.

ICXA professional network welcomes 139 B2C executives

by Morgan Petty — Executive Director, ICX Association

Since August of 2021, the Interactive Customer Experience Association has officially added 139 executives from consumer-facing brands to its professional…

Gaming industry demos rising P2P, digital payments

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Exhibits and educational sessions at the Venetian Expo confirmed that digital payments, which have expanded across nearly all industries worldwide, are even…

Innovation jumpstarts gaming's recovery

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Equipment and software manufacturers used much of the pandemic downtime to develop more engaging interactive offerings as the gaming industry rapidly recovers.

Micro markets, technology put Massachusetts operation in recovery mode

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Norwood, Massachusetts based Foley Foodservice has recovered to around 80% of its pre-COVID sales, doubling its business since the low-point of the pandemic.

Dallas restaurateur embraces vending, delivery robots

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Espartaco Borga has deployed 'smart' vending machines and in-store food delivery robots to improve efficiencies for customers while making better use of labor.

Technology helps Maryland convenience services operation weather the pandemic

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

While technology proved beneficial when Daniels Vending first deployed it several years ago, the investments proved especially helpful in surviving the…

Robotic boba tea kiosk looks to get the jump on a bubbling hot product

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Bobacino machine automates both food preparation and self-service, a pairing the company sees as a new direction for commercial foodservice.

Micro markets lead convenience services rebound after pandemic-driven setback

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Micro markets, unattended stores that offer consumers open product shelving and automated cashless payment from a self-checkout kiosk, suffered the lowest loss…

Looking for sanitation products for hard surfaces? Options abound

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Providers of self-service equipment oftentimes find themselves under greater scrutiny when it comes to sanitation than in the pre-pandemic era.

4G and EMV upgrades complete?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-service equipment operators need to upgrade to 4G to continue offering contactless payments when the 2G and 3G networks are discontinued. They also need…

Don’t miss ‘Phygital: Where Physical and Digital Intersect’

The Self-Service Innovation Summit, being held Dec. 14-16 in Hollywood, Florida, will explore 'Phygital: Where Physical and Digital Intersect,' in a panel talk…

How 5 technologies are changing the self-service landscape

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A NAMA session explored five technologies that improve efficiency: artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber security, recognition validation and the European…

Payment options expand: What solutions are right for your customers?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel at the National Automatic Merchandising Association show at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans last week explored the opportunities…

How a shifting retail landscape challenges convenience services

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel of industry veterans tackled this question head on during a session at the NAMA show Wednesday in New Orleans: 'The future of convenience services: Are…

COVID just the latest challenge for one independent operator

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

An unexpected expansion into residential bottled water delivery enabled an independent convenience services operator to survive the pandemic.

Age verification taps blockchain to protect privacy for self-service customers

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Technology savvy employees at a gaming and hospitality technology hub are making age verified transactions from a newly installed vending machine.