LEISURE VENDING Speed of Service: Automated systems are


Growing demand for vending in leisure and hospitality


vending machine base, which is a decrease of 10% compared to the year before, showing a shift away from the business and industry settings. The leisure industry currently only has a 10% share of vending machines, although this has increased since the pandemic, where it had a 9% share. The sector with the most growth is retail, which now has a 13% share of machines, up from 4% in 2018. This growing demand for vending and automated retail in the leisure and hospitality sector can be attributed to a variety of factors that cater to both businesses and consumers.


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ccording to the Vending & Automated Retail Association (AVA) statistics, the workplace has a 60% share of the


Contactless Payments: In the wake of


the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing health concerns, contactless transactions and reduced physical interaction have become a priority. Vending machines and automated retail kiosks offer a seamless way for customers to purchase food, beverages, and other products, enhancing safety and hygiene. 24/7 Availability: Many leisure and hospitality businesses operate outside of traditional business hours, making it challenging to provide continuous service. However, vending machines and automated retail kiosks can operate around the clock, ensuring that customers have access to essential items at any time.


Contactless grows in leisure


After proving itself to be a reliable and profitable alternative to staffed catering during the pandemic, contactless vending is now breaking into new markets, including leisure and


hospitality, and experiencing new growth. Many businesses in this sector had to find new ways to continue operating when contact restrictions were in place, and the success (and lower staffing costs) of these automated contactless solutions has encouraged many businesses to think more broadly about where else they could be applied. Laura Barwell, head of business development at VMC explains: “Many in the leisure and hospitality sectors are already successfully utilising contactless vending to complement their standard catering setup, and we are now seeing more enquiries for


efficient and can serve more customers at a faster pace. This is especially important in the leisure sector, where customers want to spend more time enjoying themselves, and less time waiting for service. Space Efficiency: Hospitality and leisure venues may have limited space for traditional food service or retail operations, a hurdle easily overcome with the use of vending machines and kiosks, which require minimal space, making them a practical solution in such environments. Diverse Product Offerings: Vending and automated retail can offer a wide range of products, from snacks and beverages to other non-food items such souvenirs and personal care items. This diversity allows businesses to cater to various customer preferences and thus attract a wider audience. To summarise, the growing demand for vending and automated retail in the leisure and hospitality sector is driven by a combination of factors; the need and demand for contactless payments, convenience, cost savings, and the ability to provide 24/7 access to products and services. These automated solutions are well-suited to meet the evolving expectations and preferences of both businesses and consumers in this industry.


contactless payment solutions in non-food environments too, as operators recognise it provides a way to extend their facilities without increasing staffing costs.” “Our VMC Flex technology can add value in the form of advanced loyalty schemes, detailed customer data capture, bespoke promotions, and even green initiatives, giving operators much more value over and above the physical transaction. Automating other on-site services in this way makes things easier for the customer as no cash is needed, and for the operator it means they can increase their facilities at a manageable cost, boost sales, learn about their customer habits and capture those all-important impulse purchases in one hit.”


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