News & Media From Elliot Maras

Sales success: Tell a good story

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

One of the keys to making sure the customer likes having you in front of him or her is to engage them with a story rather than boring them with facts about…

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Amusement Expo back with a bang!

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Following a day of jam-packed educational sessions on Tuesday, attendees at the Amusement Expo International event hit the show floor Wednesday at the Las…

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E-sports: Why it’s time to pay attention

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

E-sports continued to expand during the pandemic, creating opportunities for venues that want to cash in on this form of entertainment popular with millennials.

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Cannabis and crypto: Twin opportunities for independent ATMs

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

As more states legalize cannabis and cryptocurrency use expands, independent ATM operators are finding a wealth of growth opportunity.

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SBA cancels revitalization money for foodservice COVID losses

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

On Wednesday, the Small Business Administration sent out letters advising applicants that lawsuits have precluded the agency from disbursing funds.

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Watershed year for cashless vending expected to continue

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

2020 marked a watershed year for cashless vending transactions as the number of digital payments per machine exceeded cash payments for the first time. The…

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NAMA to Congress: Vending operators also need COVID relief

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Under both the existing and proposed Restaurant Revitalization Fund laws, convenience services operators are eligible for grants based on how much business…

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Is specialty coffee on a post-pandemic rebound?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Research indicates that the pandemic led to a decline in specialty coffee consumption, which holds an important role in overall coffee consumption. Coffee…

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Pandemic recovery recharges Rochester operation's technology focus

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Martk Houseknecht is confident Crickler Vending will reclaim its position as a technology leader in convenience services as the business recovers from COVID-19.

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Self-service machines find waiting market in cannabis bellwether California

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

This cannabis vending machine tackles the biggest friction point faced by most cannabis dispensaries: people waiting in line to make a purchase.

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Artisanal pizza machines a big hit for Aramark Canada

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Aramark Canada became one of PizzaForno's first licensees in 2018, driven by the opportunity to serve artisinal pizza 24/7.

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Selling OCS: new tools for today’s playing field

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Consultant and veteran OCS operator Bob Tullio offers an overview of the selling tools needed to succeed in OCS in the post-pandemic era.

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Self-service helps fuel cannabis dispensaries nationwide expansion

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-service technology will continue to play an important role in the expansion of cannabis related products — medical use, recreational use and non-THC and…

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Supportive culture holds key to a successful team: 3 experts weigh in

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Attracting and retaining good employees is especially critical as convenience services operators try to recover COVID losses, and it revolves around having a…

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Convenience services COVID recovery plan: acquisition versus organic growth

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Operators looking to recover their losses should decide whether they want to focus on acquiring other convenience services businesses, focus on organic growth…

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Colorado cannabis dispensary automates purchases with vending machines

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Kind Love, a Glendale, Colorado dispensary,, opted for a cannabis vending machine that dispenses the product at the machine instead of requiring the customer…

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Cashierless checkout brings a new convenience to University of Houston

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The University of Houston installed its first cashierless convenience store, 'Market Next,' enabling guests to purchase items without having to scan packages…

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Self-order kiosks help customers, boost efficiencies for Illinois cannabis dispensary

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Since opening its first dispensary in January 2020, Consume Cannabis has expanded to seven stores in Illinois and Michigan, with three more planned by the end…

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Operators cash in on technology during COVID, seek more innovation

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Technology paid off in many ways for technology savvy convenience services operators during the coronavirus pandemic. And while operators appreciate the…

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AI-driven self-checkout kiosk greets hungry passengers at Charlotte airport

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Passengers traveling through CLT can now grab fresh food to go with self-checkout to give them confidence in a sanitary, contactless experience.

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