Hot meals are back in the [vending] box

by Richard Slawsky

Hot food vending is no longer a novelty. It is a response to real market pressures and a sign that, once again, vending is pushing beyond its historical…

NYC deploying vending machines for new fare system

February 20, 2026

New vending machines for the OMNY fare system in New York City are set to arrive soon at Jamaica Station for the JFK AirTrain, marking another step in the…

Dutch vegetable breeder unveils veggie vending

February 19, 2026

Dutch plant breeder Rijk Zwaan has developed a vending machine concept designed to encourage young people to eat more fresh vegetables. The machine dispenses…

Florida airport unveils vending-based dining concept

February 18, 2026

Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers is undergoing a major transformation marked by large-scale construction and phased upgrades across the…

How self-service operators win by automating through curation

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Josh Rosenberg, founder of Forward Thinkers, outlines challenges the self-service and automation industry and what operators need to do to overcome those…

Tennessee lawmakers push for free feminine hygiene vending machines in schools

February 17, 2026

Tennessee lawmakers are advancing legislation to launch a pilot program for free feminine hygiene vending machines in public schools.

Regulation creep: 5 policy issues vending operators should watch in 2026

by Richard Slawsky

Taken individually, none of the policy issues is likely to upend the vending industry overnight. Taken together, though, they can reshape the economics of…

Five Star completes Krodel buy

February 13, 2026

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Five Star Breaktime Solutions has completed its acquisition of the vending and coffee operations of Jasper, Ind.-based Krodel Vending.

Underwear vending machine goes viral

February 12, 2026

A vending machine selling underwear inside a Delhi Metro station in India has sparked widespread amusement online. The appearance of underwear vending machines…

What we learned at the Automated Retail and Kiosk Innovation Show

As automation moves deeper into physical environments, companies need to plan early for installation, maintenance, repair, and ongoing upgrades across their…

Can retrofitting save classic vending?

by Dale Laszig — Founder, DSL Direct LLC

What may finally push classic vending machines toward extinction isn’t wear and tear, but the industry’s shift from analog to digital technology.

BC university unveils health vending machine

February 11, 2026

The British Columbia Institute of Technology has introduced a MediMart health vending machine at its Burnaby Campus, according to an Education News Canada…

Why Smart Coolers and Vending Kiosks Are Becoming the New “Mini Stores”

If you’ve noticed more vending-style setups in offices, apartments, hospitals, or even airports lately — you’re not imagining it. Retail is shifting fast, and…

VenHub to begin trading on Nasdaq

February 10, 2026

Smart Store operator VenHub Global has received approval to list its shares on the Nasdaq Global Market and has begun trading under the ticker symbol VHUB…

Brooki Bakehouse rolls out cookie vending machine at Australian airport

February 9, 2026

Brooki Bakehouse has launched its first cookie vending machine at the Brisbane Airport International Terminal in Australia, according to a Passenger Terminal…

French Fry vending launches in Ohio

February 6, 2026

Hot Foods Vending has launched a fresh-french-fry vending machine inside Match Point Pickleball Club in Columbus, Ohio, giving players quick access to hot…

Spokane-area vending machine becomes a local landmark

February 5, 2026

An unusual vending machine has become a local attraction in Otis Orchards, a semi-rural community north of Liberty Lake, Washington, where a glowing…

This Coke machine needs a hug

February 5, 2026

A Coca-Cola vending machine spotted in an unidentified Walmart recently invited shoppers to "Hug Me," rewarding those who do so with a free can of Coke.

Pennsylvania jail offers books for young visitors

February 4, 2026

Children visiting incarcerated loved ones at the Berks County Jail in Pennsylvania now have access to a book vending machine designed to make visits more…

Revolutionizing Retail: How SandStar is Leading with Smarter Coolers and Smart Cooler Technology

SandStar is shifting the paradigm for retail by providing integrated AI solutions addressing the challenges businesses face in the selling of chilled products…