News & Media From Richard Slawsky

Free vending still needs an operating plan

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Free health vending machines need more than startup grants. Reliable funding, clear staffing responsibilities and partnerships with vending operators can keep…

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People and company news, week ending Oct. 30, 2026

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Intercard has appointed Marcos Gonzalez as its Latin America and Caribbean sales manager, according to a press release. Gonzalez brings more than 15 years of…

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Automated retail finds a home in apartment communities

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Automated retail is finding a home in apartment communities as micro markets, smart coolers and autonomous stores offer residents convenient access to everyday…

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Poor kiosk installation, maintenance can turn self-service investments into costly liabilities

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

At the 2026 ARKI Show, industry experts will discuss how proper deployment, preventive maintenance and standardized service procedures can reduce downtime…

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People and company news, week ending Oct. 23, 2026

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Sacoa Cashless System has expanded its partnership with Play Game with a new installation at the Play Game Panda World entertainment center in Haifa, Israel.

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Madeline Adventures takes unattended rentals to the waterfront

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Kayak rental company Madeline Adventures plans six additional locations in 2027 after launching a lock-code operation on Wisconsin's Madeline Island.

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People and company news, week ending Oct. 16, 2026

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

NCR Voyix and the National Association of Convenience Stores have integrated the TruAge digital age-verification system into NCR Voyix point-of-sale…

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Primepick brings meal tracking, automated safety controls to hot food vending

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Primepick’s MealMate system combines robotic meal preparation with individual meal tracking, temperature monitoring and automatic sales lockouts to help…

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Beyond the storefront: ARKI keynote explores future of autonomous commerce

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Linda Johansen-James, founder and CEO of International Retail Group, will keynote, "Retail Without Walls: The Rise of Autonomous Commerce," at the upcoming…

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Valentina Ellison brings airport restaurant experience to automated vending

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

In this Q&A, Valentina Ellison discusses the challenges behind unattended food service, how she evaluates locations and why traveler interest does not always…

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Building Loudega: What it takes to launch a smart cooler business

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Dan Ross-Li saw an opportunity for modern unattended retail in Louisville. Turning that idea into a workable vending route required him to learn the business…

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Bucked Up tests automated retail store at Utah student housing complex

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Bucked Up has launched an automated retail store inside the gym at Alpine Village, a student housing community in Provo, Utah, to test whether its sports…

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When the signal disappears: How vending machines handle cashless payment outages

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Cashless payments have made vending machines easier to use, but that convenience depends on a chain of technology that usually remains invisible until…

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Does AI really save time in vending operations?

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

For small vending operators, artificial intelligence's biggest benefit may not come from futuristic machines or complicated predictive models. It can be as…

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How vending machines can help reduce plastic, other waste

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Vending machines are commonly associated with disposable bottles, wrappers and cups, but the same automated infrastructure could help move consumers away from…

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Bouncer Digital founder Juan Carlos Corvera on innovative age verification

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Juan Carlos Corvera, president and founder of Bouncer Digital, discusses how his technology works, regulatory acceptance and why he believes automated age…

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Research spotlight: Self-service technology moves deeper into health care

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Two recent research papers illustrate how kiosks and automated dispensing systems could play broader roles in detecting disease, improving access to medication…

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Prepango scores with FIFA merchandise vending machines

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Automated retailer Prepango used its airport network, remote monitoring and regional sales data to put official World Cup products within reach of travelers…

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Evolvending partners with Amish Pretzel Co. for airport kiosk rollout

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Evolvending has partnered with The Amish Pretzel Co. to offer freshly warmed pretzel products through automated dining kiosks at U.S. airports.

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Balanced Vending builds on growth with First Choice deal

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

New York-based Balanced Vending expanded its operational footprint by acquiring First Choice Vending earlier this year, adding established routes and micro…

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