Beyond Snacks and Drinks: Unconventional Uses of Vending Machines in Different Industries

The global vending machine industry is expected to reach about $146.6 billion in sales by 2027

Vending machines have come a long way since their inception. Today, they are being used for a variety of purposes, from dispensing snacks and beverages to selling high-tech gadgets, uniforms for doctors in hospitals, and personal care products at airports.

The global vending machine industry is expected to reach about $146.6 billion in sales by 2027. The U.S. accounted for an estimated $36.5 billion as of 2020. If you have been in an airport recently, you’ve seen vending machines doling out everything from  electronics to cosmetics and cupcakes.

North America is currently the largest market for vending machines, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by factors such as increasing urbanization and rising disposable income levels.

Japan is the world’s leading user of vending machines, with 5 million of the kiosks scattered throughout the country. That’s around one vending machine per 25 people. Around $90 billion of payments go through the machines each year, according to the Japanese Vending System Manufacturers Association.  

While walking through Tokyo, I found vending machines for almost every need. From kiosks selling umbrellas at the metro station to surgical masks and toys, there’s little that can’t be bought from coin operated slots. There was even a vending machine selling puppies at one pet shop in Roppongi, which have drawn criticism from animal rights activists.

The demand for vending machines is being driven by factors such as changing consumer preferences and increasing demand for convenience and automation in retail. In addition, advances in technology such as cashless payment systems, NFC , touchless interfaces, and data analytics are further driving the growth of the vending machine market.

Today’s most advanced vending kiosks can offer personalized content, track customer behavior and preferences, and provide a secure environment for products.

Vending kiosks are becoming increasingly popular in airports for a host of reasons. Travelers embrace their convenience; kiosks supply a wide range of quick and easy options. Airports love them because of their small footprint and 24-hour operation, which helps to reduce the lines at airport concession stands and restaurants and reduces staffing needs, particularly in a sensitive high-security environment. In addition, operators of these vending machines benefit from the valuable customer data that kiosks collect. Businesses can track customer behavior and preferences to make more informed decisions about product and service offerings.

The ability to track the performance of smart vending machines through data analytics and a Geographic Information System (GIS) is opening new ways to penetrate markets and creatively expand these direct-to-consumer networks. Just as companies use GIS to optimize the location of the vending machines and analyze sales in specific markets, location intelligence could pinpoint the ideal placement of vending machines down to the block level in cities and towns, or the floor level within a building.

The food and beverage vending machine segment is the largest market segment, accounting for a significant share of the total market value. However, other types of vending machines such as those for personal care products, tech gadgets, medical supplies, uniform dispensing, and even art are also growing in popularity, and are expected to contribute to the growth of the overall vending machine market.

In recent years, there have been some useful and some pretty crazy and innovative uses of vending machines. Here are a few of them:

 1. Food and Beverage Vending Machines

Food and beverage vending machines are the most common types of vending machines. These machines dispense snacks, drinks, and other food items. They are often found in office buildings, schools, airports, and other public places. Some vending machines also offer healthier food options, such as fruits, salads, and sandwiches.

In response to the growing demand for healthy food options, companies have started creating salad vending machines. These machines dispense fresh salads in a variety of flavors and are often found in office buildings and universities. A Chicago based Farmer's Fridge, wants to revolutionize how people eat on the go. Their vending machine offers nicely packaged fresh salad in a jar in the compact, modern but in a user-friendly vending refrigerator. The fresh salad is dispensed along with eco-friendly recyclable utensils and a napkin. More important, the food is healthier and less expensive than a bag of pretzels and a Diet Coke.

2.   Personal Care Vending Machines

Personal care vending machines are becoming increasingly popular. These machines dispense personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products. They are often found in public restrooms, airports, and hotels, providing travelers and visitors with essential items they may have forgotten to pack.

3.   Tech Vending Machines

Tech vending machines offer a range of high-tech gadgets and accessories, such as headphones, phone chargers, tablets, and even laptops. These machines are often found in airports and other travel hubs, providing travelers with the convenience of purchasing necessary tech items on the go.

4.   Medical Supplies Vending Machines

Medical supplies vending machines are becoming increasingly common in hospitals and other medical facilities. These machines dispense items such as bandages, pain relievers, and other over-the-counter medications. They are often located in emergency rooms and other high-traffic areas, providing medical professionals with quick access to essential medical supplies.

5.   Beauty Product Vending Machines

Beauty product vending machines are another popular type of vending machine. These machines dispense beauty products such as makeup, hair care items, and skincare products. They are often found in shopping malls and other retail locations, providing consumers with the convenience of purchasing beauty products on the go.

6.   Art Vending Machines

Art vending machines are a unique type of vending machine that dispenses original artwork. These machines can be found in museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions, allowing art enthusiasts to purchase affordable and original pieces of art.

7.   Uniform Dispensing Machines

Automated machines for dispensing uniforms are becoming increasingly popular in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare facilities. These machines offer a convenient and efficient way for staff members to access clean and properly fitting uniforms.

Uniform dispensing machines work by allowing staff members to swipe their ID badges, which triggers the dispensing of the appropriate uniform size and style. These machines can also track inventory levels, monitor usage patterns, and ensure proper uniform maintenance.

8.   Gold Vending Machines

In select locations around the world, you can now purchase gold bars and coins from vending machines. These machines are often found in high-end shopping malls and tourist destinations.

9.   Bike Vending Machines

In cities with a strong cycling culture, bike vending machines have become increasingly popular. These machines allow you to rent or buy a bike for a short period of time and return it to a designated drop-off location.

10.Cupcake Vending Machines

Cupcake vending machines have been popping up in cities around the world. These machines dispense freshly baked cupcakes in a variety of flavors. Claiming to be the world’s first cupcake ATM, the Sprinkles cupcake vending machine offers freshly baked and decorated cupcakes in a cute craft box. The Sprinkles ATM lets you choose your cupcake flavor and watch behind the scenes as your cupcake goes through the machine

11. Pizza Vending Machines

Imagine being able to order a freshly baked pizza from a vending machine. In some locations, this is now a reality. Pizza vending machines dispense individual pizzas that are cooked on the spot.

Debuting on the Xavier University campus in 2016, the Pizza ATM was the first of its kind in the U.S. It cooks up 12-inch pizzas at 475 degrees in about three minutes, making it a major hit with students. 

12. Book Vending Machines

In some libraries and bookstores, you can now purchase books from vending machines. These machines dispense a selection of popular books and allow you to purchase them at any time of day.

Rail commuters in the UK can read on the go thanks to Penguin installing Book Vending Machines at train stations.

Penguin Books say they have 'gone back to their roots' by putting a book vending machine at the train station. The first vending machine already offers 28 different book titles for commuters to pick up on their travels. The vending machine celebrates what Penguin Books claim is their core philosophy - engaging books for anyone to read, wherever they go, at an affordable price.

13. Soft Ice Cream Vending Machine

Accepting payment via card or apps, iCream started off in a mall in Los Angeles, California. The ice cream, dispensed in under 60 seconds, starts at around $3 for vanilla and adding toppings costs a quarter each. The machine now also offers Pinkberry frozen yogurt, and there are dozens of ways to combine flavors and toppings. Unsurprisingly, there are already 10 locations in Southern California and plans to expand. See for yourself

14. “Bear Meat” Vending Machines (yes, meat from real Bears )

There are few things you cannot buy from a vending machine in Japan. Until now, bear meat was one of those. The bear meat vending machine in Akita, northern Honshu, has been a surprise hit.

The new vending machine is regularly stocked with meats sourced by local hunters, according to the Mainichi Shimbun. It sells meat in various grades, from fatty to lean, under the signage: “Black bear meat. Open 24 hours!” The machine sells around 2.5kg to 4kg of meat a week. However the restaurant advises that it regularly runs out of stock, due to strict hunting restrictions on black bear. What the item from NBC News.

 15. Towel Vending Machines

In hotels, towel vending machines are often found in pool and spa areas where guests may need a towel but don't want to carry one from their room. With a simple swipe of their room key or a coin payment, guests can dispense a fresh towel from the vending machine.

These machines are also ideal for hotels that offer a fitness center or exercise room, allowing guests to grab a fresh towel before or after their workout.

In gyms, towel vending machines are becoming more common as well. They offer a convenient way for members to access a fresh towel without having to bring their own. Some gyms also offer a variety of towel sizes, allowing members to select the size that best fits their needs. This is particularly useful for those who want to wipe down equipment after use or need a larger towel for showering.

One of the main benefits of towel vending machines is that they help to reduce laundry costs. Rather than providing each guest or member with a clean towel every time they need one, vending machines can dispense individual towels as needed. This reduces the amount of laundry that needs to be done and can ultimately save hotels and gyms money.

Towel vending machines are also more hygienic than traditional towel dispensing methods. Rather than storing towels in a communal area, vending machines keep towels clean and protected until they are dispensed. This helps to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria and ensures that guests and members always have access to a fresh and clean towel.

This YMCA in Jerusalem is also using dispensing machines from Polytex to dispense fresh towels to its guests, and fitness club members. The DIR Fitness Club from Barcelona chose automated machines to dispense towels to its members across Spain. So easy !

In conclusion, vending machines are being used for a variety of purposes beyond just dispensing snacks and beverages. From personal care items to tech gadgets, medical supplies, and even art. Vending machines are becoming an increasingly popular way to distribute a wide range of products.

With technology continually evolving, we can expect to see even more innovative uses for vending machines in the future.

Igal Elon  is a global Sales & Marketing executive with 25+ years of experience in C-level positions with early-stage and growth startups. He has a natural curiosity for everything technology. Proven ability to assess and penetrate new markets, structure channels, partners, and sell directly to enterprises. Multicultural & Multilingual, Igal traveled and worked across multiple regions from North America, LATAM, EMEA, and APAC.

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