News & Media From Elliot Maras

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…

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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…

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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.

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Self-Service Innovation Summit to honor Allan Z Gilbert's industry service

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Self-Service Innovation Summit will honor the late Allen Z. Gilbert for his contributions to the convenience services industry with its Lifetime…

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Surging self-service innovation responds to technologically empowered consumers

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The 2021 NAMA Show in New Orleans hosted a wealth of education sessions and a trade show showcasing extensive innovations.

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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…

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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.

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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.

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Harm reduction supply machine helps those in need in Cincinnati

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Caracole, an HIV/AIDS service organization in Cincinnati, applied for and received a grant to support a vending machine to dispense harm reduction supplies…

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Diversification key to success for independent convenience services market leader

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Scott Halloran, CEO of Trolley House Refreshments in Richmond, Virginia, was able to sustain much of his foodservice business by expanding into a virtual…

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Vending machine builds vegan diner following in Las Vegas

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

An entrepreneurial duo expanded their reach for their ghost kitchen late last year by introducing a vegan vending machine that offers vegan food 24/7.

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Virtual reality’s ‘I-Phone Moment’ has arrived

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Consumer VR headset sales are "exploding" due to Oculus Quest 2, causing retail, entertainment and other venues to follow suit, consultant Bob Cooney noted in…

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