News & Media From Elliot Maras

Attendees, sponsors process learning, engagement at ICX Summit

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Summit, held at the Hilton Columbus at Easton, gave attendees a chance to see hands-on demonstrations on customer experience technology developed by the…

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ICXA honors 2022 Elevate Award winners at annual Summit

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

ICXA honors 10 Elevate Award winners at the 2022 Interactive Customer Experience Summit in Columbus, Ohio.

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Ready-to-drink coffee: Expect the surge to continue

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The growth of RTD coffee is expected to continue as stressed consumers seek to consume both energy and cold beverages.

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Convenience gaming on a roll!

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

States are legalizing video gaming thanks to a significant revenue opportunity. A veteran legal observer notes the growth has just begun.

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How to manage risks with new technology: Experts weigh in

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Investing in technology typically requires a certain amount of risk. By managing this risk, companies can achieve the benefits of new technology without…

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What will retail’s future look like?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel of experts at the NAMA show sought to unpack changing consumer work habits and how traditional service industries can reposition themselves to meet…

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Unattended retail explodes in response to consumer acceptance

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A host of technologies and service concepts have come on the scene as of late. What entities will service the rising number of unattended retail sites?

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What are the new vending opportunities?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

New technology and changing market conditions are creating new opportunities for vending. A panel during the recent NAMA show considered what role established…

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Technology update for convenience services: AI, contactless payments and cybercrime

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Technology experts gave attendees a chance to unpack the key tech innovations at the National Automatic Merchandising Association show at Chicago's McCormick…

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McCormick Place 'kills it' with convenience services back on the move

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Vending, micro market, coffee service and pantry service operators converged by the thousands onto the trade show floor for three days, anxious to find new…

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What comes after micro markets?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Looking beyond established convenience services to meet post-pandemic customer needs, a NAMA panel considers "smart stores" and catering.

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Convenience services operators 'more than ready' for 2022 trade shows

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Anxious to see new products, operators are looking forward to the opportunity for face-to-face meetings with suppliers, despite being short staffed on account…

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Evolving cashless tools bring challenges, and cash isn't dead

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Cashless continues to gain support among consumers, making it more important for self-service equipment operators to offer cashless options. Knowing what…

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Current events leave coffee, oil, commodity prices in limbo

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The economic outlook remains cloudier than usual due to a number of factors, making it hard for convenience services operators to know how much coffee and…

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Amusement Expo packs record attendance to meet post pandemic customer demand

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The trade show floor remained buzzing with attendees non-stop, one of the best attended Amusement Expo trade shows ever.

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Circle K taps crypto ATMs to ride cryptocurrency’s rising popularity

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Circle K has installed more than 700 crypto ATMs since partnering with Bitcoin Depot in 2020, offering a new customer convenience as interest in cryptocurrency…

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Refreshing USA: How a national CS operation retains the entrepreneurial spirit

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Ryan Wear has developed a nationwide network of vending operations under the Refreshing USA banner that also services his retail water vending business…

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Healthy aspirations drive entrepreneurial duo to salad vending startup

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The need for healthy meals while on the run drove a pair of Silicon Valley executives to launch a healthy vending business in Florida. They overcame setbacks…

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Fresh meal vending pioneers hail from diverse backgrounds

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

State-of-the-art vending technology has enabled entrepreneurs from outside traditional vending to bring new ideas about fresh food vending.

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Crypto ATMs on a roll: What you should know

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel during the Self-Service Innovation Summit explored the opportunities and challenges facing cryptocurrency ATM location managers, operators and…

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