Features
Redistricting ripple effects: How political map changes could impact vending
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Redistricting efforts underway across the country could create new regulatory and operational challenges for vending and convenience services operators.
read now
NAMA CEO Christine Cochran talks AI, placement strategies, industry consolidation
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Connect Media CEO Daniel Ceniceros spoke with NAMA CEO Christine Cochran at the recent NAMA show about competition from QSRs, the role of AI, evolving…
read now
Ohio bill could help shape vending tax policies
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
A bill currently under consideration in the Ohio state legislature seeks to clarify tax policy regarding food purchased from a vending machine, and whether…
read now
Autonomous retail concept scales up at Circa Resort
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
VenHub Global Inc. and Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas are innovating on what may be the world's most advanced autonomous smart store installation.
read now
Vending as social infrastructure: Expanding access to essential goods
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
The notion of vending machines delivering public services isn't new. Using those machines to deliver overdose-reversal medications has been expanding across…
read now
Healthy vending gets a boost: Farmer's Fridge, Weight Watchers team up for National Nutrition Month
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
A partnership between Farmer's Fridge and Weight Watchers underscores the trend of healthy vending and highlights how technology-enabled vending can help make…
read now
Expressions gift card kiosks bring personalization to retail gifting
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
The Expressions Gift Card Kiosk offers a personalized greeting card with the option to include a digital gift card, all in a fraction of the space retailers…
read now
What makes the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show a must-attend event?
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
The Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show takes place December 14-16 in Miami Beach this year. Here are the many reasons to attend.
read now
USC student creates app to transform vending placement
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Deven Chitkara is attempting to modernize one of the most traditional sectors of unattended retail.
read now
Automated dining takes flight at Southwest Florida International Airport
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
For kiosk and vending machine vendors, the trend toward vending-operated food service represents potential for significant expansion. For foodservice brands…
read now
Hot meals are back in the [vending] box
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Hot food vending is no longer a novelty. It is a response to real market pressures and a sign that, once again, vending is pushing beyond its historical…
read now
How self-service operators win by automating through curation
by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media
Josh Rosenberg, founder of Forward Thinkers, outlines challenges the self-service and automation industry and what operators need to do to overcome those…
read now
Regulation creep: 5 policy issues vending operators should watch in 2026
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Taken individually, none of the policy issues is likely to upend the vending industry overnight. Taken together, though, they can reshape the economics of…
read now
9 self-service tech trends to watch
by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media
The recent Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show kicked off with a keynote on nine self-service trends to keep an eye on in the coming years: including…
read now
Naloxone vending machines performing life-saving function
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
One of the fastest-growing vending applications today is in the public health space, with announcements of the deployment of naloxone-dispensing machines…
read now
Card processing fees pose a challenge to vending machine operators
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
With card acceptance becoming a near-necessity in vending due to declining cash usage, processing fees can put meaningful pressure on already thin margins.
read now
A look back at vending in 2025, what's ahead in 2026
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Taken together, the vending stories of 2025, and the outlook for 2026, suggest an industry that is steadily redefining its role.
read now
EV charging stations provide a built-in customer base
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Charging stations are growing in popularity and they present a major opportunity for vending operators.
read now
“Better for You” options fueling new vending opportunities
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Vending machines are becoming a strong channel for delivering those “better for you” food options in corporate offices, healthcare facilities, schools and…
read now
Self-service innovators honored at ARKI Awards
by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media
The Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show Awards honors innovators and influencers in automated retail, kiosks and responsible self-service.
read nowSubscribe
Get the latest news and resources from Vending Times.
