NON-FOOD VENDING


An exciting future for vending in non-food sector


similar. Today, vending machines offer the possibility to serve as multi-dimensional retail platforms, offering a convenient, quick, and unattended shopping experience across various markets. Take, for instance, intelligent vending company Selfly Store’s creative partnership with Verkkokauppa.com at Assembly Summer 2023, one of the Nordic countries’ largest gaming and digital art event. As Aslak de Silva, chief executive of Selfly


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Store, strongly states: “New intelligent vending technology isn’t just about delivering food items. Intelligent vending machines can house anything that fits into the cabinet, from frozen food to high-end gaming equipment. We are opening new avenues of retail, making it a comprehensive ecosystem.” During the gaming event, Selfly Store machines, usually offering a variety of frozen, refrigerated and ambient food items, seamlessly integrated gaming and computer equipment. And it wasn’t just about selling products, but about enhancing the entire gaming experience. The machines gained attention not just for their content but


ending machines have come a long way from merely dispensing snacks, beverages, newspapers, tickets and


also for their modern electronics, dynamic displays, and seamless user experience. One of the most captivating features of this new generation of vending machines is their potential to streamline the shopping process. Transactions are simplified to a tap of a card or mobile wallet on a payment terminal, followed by the unique opportunity to physically engage with the product before selecting. This efficiency adds a new dimension to ‘quick shopping’ suitable for a variety of environments —all in less than 10 seconds. The versatility of intelligent vending machines also stretches into other sectors. Imagine a vending machine in an industrial setting, equipped with essential tools and machine parts, or at a healthcare facility stocked with vital medical supplies. Real- time tracking systems monitor when items are picked out, by whom, and what remains in stock, thus optimising inventory levels and reducing waste. “We’re only scratching the surface,” concludes Aslak de Silva. “Whether it’s food, electronics, gym equipment, or even critical medical supplies, we aim to redefine what vending can be in our modern world. And that’s an exciting future for all of us.”


Everything from tools to art…


Vending has always had its roots in food and drink, but now vending machines are being used successfully in industry to manage high value specialist tools and even art securely. Laura Barwell, head of business development at VMC says: “It’s exciting to see contactless vending machines popping up in unusual locations and settings and the innovative ways that companies are using them to get their product to a wider group of consumers. Vending is a great way to get products in front of a new audience or placed in a new environment, and we’ve been involved in several projects that push the traditional boundaries. “A manufacturing client uses our vending solution to manage the issuing of high value specialist tools using a smart ID or access control card to log key information like who took the tool, when and what job number it was used for. This provides them with a secure way to control and manage the use of their tools and enables reporting to be run for project and tool maintenance tracking. “We’ve also collaborated with Birmingham-based artist and owner of The Vend UK, Clara Stromeyer, to create a contactless art vending machine in The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry. “The first of its kind, the machine supplies


EVOCA’s new Orchestra Touch is not only savvy enough for food and drink dispensing, but can offer for sale essential non-food items. Use it on the factory floor to dispense PPE and keep track of which employee had what, and


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when. Install one in the hotel lobby so guests can buy shampoo, a tooth brush or shaving gel when the front desk is unattended – unleash the power of impulse purchasing with phone chargers, IT cables, sound buds.


both free and paid items including artwork, art kits, equipment and games and has proved incredibly popular. In this 24/7 culture we now live in, where consumers often want and expect to be able to buy things instantly and anytime, there is a real opportunity for vending to broaden its horizons. Operators who think beyond just the traditional food and drink clients will be the ones to capitalise on these potential new revenue streams for vending.”


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