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…

Georgia school district installs 5 book vending machines to promote literacy

October 23, 2026

Murray County Schools in Georgia has completed the installation of five book vending machines across the district as part of an initiative to encourage reading…

PharmcoRx plans prescription dispensing kiosks at health care facilities

October 23, 2026

NextPlat's PharmcoRx subsidiary plans to install VendRx prescription-dispensing kiosks at select clinics and health care facilities, allowing patients to…

The kiosk shift, part 2: Beyond USB — how Android is rethinking kiosk I/O

by Ben Wheeler — Dir. of Business Dev. - Automated Retail, T-ROC

Android and ARM are changing kiosk design by enabling modular systems that connect and manage complex peripherals without relying on traditional Windows PCs.

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…

PayRange expands leadership team following KioSoft acquisition

October 22, 2026

PayRange, a Portland, Oregon-based provider of payment technology and software for unattended retail, has announced four executive leadership appointments as…

Tomra named preferred supplier for 2K reverse vending machines in UK

October 22, 2026

Tomra Systems ASA has signed a letter of intent to become the preferred supplier of approximately 2,000 reverse vending machine installations for a major…

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.

Beyond remote monitoring: Turning equipment data into restocking, merchandising and service decisions

Connected vending machines generate valuable data, but visibility alone doesn't improve profitability. Nathan Yin of NexMart Smart explains how operators can…

ChoiceTech Korea deploys AI skin analysis kiosk at Seoul flagship store

October 21, 2026

ChoiceTech Korea has installed an AI-powered skin analysis kiosk at Torriden Connect Seongsu, the skincare brand's flagship store in Seoul, South Korea…

Giving Machines return to Denver for holiday season

October 21, 2026

Charitable giving vending machines will return to Denver's Cherry Creek North shopping district Nov. 19, offering residents and visitors an interactive way to…

Rising costs squeeze vending service on Japan’s remote islands

October 21, 2026

Vending machines are disappearing from Japan's remote communities as population declines and higher operating costs undermine profitability, according to a…

UK expands age restrictions, bans promotions for vaping and nicotine products

October 20, 2026

The U.K. will expand age restrictions on vaping and nicotine products beginning Oct. 29, under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, according to a government press…

Kosher pizza vending machine fires up in Lakewood, New Jersey

October 20, 2026

A kosher pizza vending machine has begun operating in Lakewood, New Jersey, offering customers an automated option for purchasing freshly prepared pizza…

Aramark recognized for AI innovation

October 20, 2026

Aramark has been named to Fortune's 2026 AIQ 75 list, which recognizes Fortune 500 companies using artificial intelligence to produce measurable business…

AI Vending Machines Are Here. The Machines You Already Own Can Keep Up.

AI vending machines get the headlines, but traditional snack and drink machines still earn every day. Dryline VMS explains how a cashless reader and vending…

Inside the 2026 NACS Show: Self-checkout, smart vending, and the rise of the autonomous convenience hub

by Ben Wheeler — Dir. of Business Dev. - Automated Retail, T-ROC

The 2026 NACS Show highlighted the growing convergence of convenience retail, vending and self-service technology. From AI-powered checkout and smart coolers…

California to award $18M in reverse vending machine grants

October 19, 2026

California is preparing to award $18 million in grants to expand access to reverse vending machines that allow consumers to return eligible beverage…

Connecticut law allows cameras in employee breakrooms to monitor micro markets

October 19, 2026

A Connecticut law allowing surveillance cameras to monitor self-service kiosks and merchandise in employee breakrooms took effect Oct. 1, removing a regulatory…

English dairy launches raw milk vending machine

October 19, 2026

Rock End Farm Dairy has introduced a vending machine selling raw milk in Knypersley, North Staffordshire, England, expanding direct-to-consumer sales of its…