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NAMA Foundation 2018 Census Shows Steady Micromarket Growth

CHICAGO -- The National Automatic Merchandising Association Foundation has published its 2018 Industry Census. Its content is available to members and nonmembers on the NAMA website. The NAMA Foundation commissioned the third comprehensive census of the convenience services industry last year. The goals of the study include determining current industry size and makeup, tracking progress since the initial 2014 census, and generating metrics on the industry that are meaningful to both businesses and stake...

August 5, 2019 by Tim Sanford

CHICAGO -- The National Automatic Merchandising Association Foundation has published its 2018 Industry Census. Its content is available to members and nonmembers on the NAMA website.

The NAMA Foundation commissioned the third comprehensive census of the convenience services industry last year. The goals of the study include determining current industry size and makeup, tracking progress since the initial 2014 census, and generating metrics on the industry that are meaningful to both businesses and stakeholders. The study focuses on qualitative and quantitative research with operators and other key industry participants.

"Among the significant findings: revenue for the industry has grown nearly $1 billion since the 2016 census, to $26 billion," said NAMA senior vice-president, external affairs Eric Dell. "Growth, attributed to business diversification and technology, is the overarching discovery."

Additional highlights include the finding that vending continues to generate the largest share -- more than 70% -- of industry revenue.

Micromarket revenue continues to rise, paving the way for the nearly billion-dollar increase for the overall industry. Office coffee services continued a steady 8% growth over the two-year period. Pantry services grew substantially, prompting NAMA to formally add this delivery method as a distinct channel.

Operators continue to increase their diversification, expanding business lines and product offerings. Directionally, "better for you" choices continue to expand to meet consumer demands. The study also presents new data regarding contactless payments, digital monitors/displays, pre-kitting and business trends.

The industry census is funded by the NAMA Foundation. It is free to all NAMA members and may be purchased for $150 by nonmembers.

About Tim Sanford

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Tim Sanford is the retired, long-time editor of Vending Times.

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