Vending Market Research Reports & Industry Analysis

The birth of the vending machine as we now know it can be dated back to 1898, when passengers mounting the stairs to board New York’s elevated trains first saw Tutti Frutti gum machines waiting for them on the platforms. The Pan American Exposition in 1901 introduced bulk vending machines that sold a measured amount of peanuts for a penny. In 1902, in Philadelphia, the Horn & Hardart Baking Company opened the first Automat. In 1908 a machine that dispensed water in paper cups was introduced by the Public Cup Vendor Company of New York (later Dixie Cup).

Prior to the 1920s, marketers of vending machines and the products they vended were one and the same. The industry bifurcated into manufacturers of consumables and vending machine manufacturers/operators with the introduction of machines that sold multiple kinds of products—packaged candy and lighter fluid in the same machine, or several types of candy. About the same time three types of cigarette machines were introduced.

In the decade after World War II many small companies entered the industry with many design improvements. Coin mechanisms in particular became more sophisticated. In the late 1950s and early 1960s machines with electromechanical units began to appear.

The 1960s is regarded by many as the golden age of the vending machine industry. Vending machines were a staple of the American workplace, and the vending industry benefited from a booming industrial sector. During this period prices were relatively stable, and most products could be purchased with a single coin.

The economic climate of the following decade was less hospitable. The inflation of the 1970s made vending machines inconvenient, and there was also a shrinking in the manufacturing labor force where a large proportion of vending machine consumers were found. However, the product mix did change during this period, as bagged snacks began to grow in popularity at the expense of candy. The helical-feed glass-front candy/snack machine, which subsequently became the industry standard, also was introduced in the 1970s.

The spread of microprocessors has since transformed the design and function of vending machines. Microprocessors made it much easier to design machines that offered multiple prices and an ever-widening product selection, expanding to include a wide variety of snacks, frozen foods, microwavable food, diet and low-fat foods, and healthy foods such as yogurt.

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Vending Industry Research & Market Reports

  • Vending in Taiwan

    ... significant labour shortages. As these sectors struggle to recruit employees, smart vending machines have emerged as essential solutions to meet the basic food and beverage needs of consumers and workers alike. Euromonitor International's Vending in ... Read More

  • Vending in Portugal

    ... time. Notably, drinks and tobacco vending is the largest area in vending, with tobacco being the main category. This means that new tobacco laws, which restrict the sale of tobacco through vending machines in most ... Read More

  • Vending in Chile

    ... the impact of home seclusion and the growth of e-commerce and last mile players, has slowed the channel’s development in the country. Vending remains focused on food and drink, supported by developments of payment options, ... Read More

  • Vending in Turkey

    ... snacks and soft drinks being the most popular products sold through vending. With inflation still very high in 2024 – even higher than in 2023 - there was a steep fall in constant value sales. ... Read More

  • Vending in Hungary

    ... pandemic and the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nonetheless, trade remained fairly robust overall thanks to the long-term trend towards busier lifestyles among local consumers. Demand was also buoyed by the tendency of people ... Read More

  • Global Vending Machine Market 2025-2029

    ... provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest ... Read More

  • Vending in Thailand

    ... advancements especially with regard to payment methods with machines increasingly accepting cash, as well as credit/debit cards, QR codes, and digital wallets like PromptPay, TrueWallet, and LINE Pay. This has been key in boosting demand ... Read More

  • Vending in the Philippines

    ... (sari-sari stores) that offer easy access to snacks, drinks, and daily essentials. However, vending machines are present in certain locations, particularly in office buildings, schools, hospitals, and transport hubs. Euromonitor International's Vending in Philippines report ... Read More

  • Vending in Malaysia

    ... value sales at the end of the review period. Vending in Malaysia has seen a surge in the number of vending machines, placed in convenience-based locations, such as hospitals and popular public spaces like rail ... Read More

  • 2025 Global: Automatic Goods-Vending Machines Incorporating Heating Or Refrigerating Devices Products-Manufacturing Forecast (2031) report

    ... most accurate industry forecasts based on our proprietary economic models. Our forecasts project the product market size nationally and by regions for 2020 to 2031 using regression analysis in our modeling. and Perry/Hope is the ... Read More

  • Vending in Colombia

    ... and the customisation of the offer. Consumers are attracted to using vending machines which has supported the expansion of this channel. Euromonitor International's Vending in Colombia report offers insight into key trends and developments driving ... Read More

  • Vending in Italy

    ... single-portion products and the diversification of the offer. For instance, Italian consumers are increasingly interested in health and wellness and therefore players are increasing the offer of healthier and more sustainable choices within their vending ... Read More

  • Vending in Sweden

    ... society whereby consumers became more mobile again. Ultimately, vending benefits from consumers enjoying busy out-of-home lifestyles, shopping, exercising, commuting, and more. Moreso, it is noted that the slump in value sales is also attributed to ... Read More

  • Vending in Romania

    ... channel in Romania in 2024, in terms of value growth. Hot drinks, and in particular coffee, accounted for most value sales. Also, VAT changes came into effect in 2024 that raised the rate from 9% ... Read More

  • Vending in Poland

    ... operation, personalised product selections, and cashless payment options. The broader trend towards unattended sales across retail and service sectors is further driving the growth of vending machines. Euromonitor International's Vending in Poland report offers insight ... Read More

  • Intelligent Vending Machines Market by Machine Type (Free-Standing Vending Machines, Wall-Mounted Vending Machines), Product Dispensed (Beverages, Snacks, Food, Confections, and Others), Application (Manufacturing, Commercial Malls and Retail Stores, Offices, Educational Institutes, and Others), and Region 2025-2033

    ... 2025-2033. the rapid adoption of cashless payment systems, the increasing emphasis on remote monitoring and management of vending machines and rapid digitalization represent some of the key factors driving the market. Intelligent Vending Machine refers ... Read More

  • Vending in China

    ... drinks vending also accounted for a significant share of sales, and foods vending maintained growth. Post-COVID-19, more people travelled domestically, which boosted demand for convenient access to snacks and beverages. For instance, vending machines in ... Read More

  • Vending in Canada

    ... key locations for vending machines (offices, schools and public spaces) with the end of COVID-19 restrictions. Thus, there was a level of stabilisation at the end of the review period. Euromonitor International's Vending in Canada ... Read More

  • Vending in Belgium

    ... offering better value-for-money. Additionally, the poor weather in Belgium in 2024 was also detrimental to vending sales which rely heavily on high levels of foot traffic. Euromonitor International's Vending in Belgium report offers insight into ... Read More

  • Vending in France

    ... employees return to the office, boosting activity for vending operators. Similarly, in transit zones and on public transport, mobility is gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels, driving increased consumption among on-the-go consumers. Euromonitor International's Vending in ... Read More

  • Vending in Spain

    ... entire category’s performance, pulling down overall vending sales. Aside from government efforts to reduce smoking prevalence, Spain also has several anti-smoking groups, the most prominent of which is the National Committee for the Prevention of ... Read More

  • Vending in Argentina

    ... many local consumers avoided on-the-go consumption. In an attempt to avoid vandalism, vending machines are usually located in key and monitored areas. For example, vending machines are often located in secure places like airports, as ... Read More

  • Vending in Brazil

    ... the needs of consumers who increasingly seek quick, convenient, and safe options for their everyday purchases. In addition, digitalisation and the growing adoption of contactless payments are also encouraging their use. Vending machines are currently ... Read More

  • Vending in the US

    ... snacks, carbonates, and nicotine-based products. Moreover, an abundance of space for physical retail in the US market means that vending has never developed the density that it has in Japan, for instance, where vending is ... Read More

  • Vending in Bulgaria

    ... these alternative channels, which often provide a wider selection of products and a more engaging shopping experience. Euromonitor International's Vending in Bulgaria report offers insight into key trends and developments driving the industry. The report ... Read More

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