Automated Retail Systems

Retail systems, automation and robotics continue to emerge as the building block for modern retail systems transformation.  Employee utilization (and costs) is a top consideration.  Eliminating waste and improper orders and order processing.

July! — See us at RSPA Retail Now — July 27 to July 29, 2025, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

food fridge - retail systems automation and robotics

A customer buys a meal from the REDYREF food fridge. Photo provided by REDYREF.

Top Three Articles This Month:

Thanks to Kiosk Machine solution partners Intel (Kathy) , Sitekiosk (Heinz), Pyramid Computer (Zahdan), TPGI (Traci) and Olea Kiosks (Frank).  Our existence is based solely on member support.

 

News

Hot Food Vending Machines

  • Watching new Kiosk Operators who John Laspia has joined up with
  • New business endeavor by Just Baked — Just Baked Smart Bistro temperature-controlled kiosks are the turnkey fully automated solution to giving your customers and clients 24/7 access to hot food – all without the additional expense of 24/7 staff. –4/25/2024 — In a visionary move aimed at redefining hot food robotic technology, Sodexo and ART have announced a partnership to deploy thousands of state-of-the-art hot food robotic kiosks across Sodexo-served facilities throughout the U.S. A culmination of Sodexo’s global leadership and ART’s progress in robotics and AI, this partnership will establish new benchmarks in the automated dining domain.

    Retail Kiosk aka Automated Retail

    The automated retail systems industry is one of the two core technology showplaces today (Financial Services being #2).

      • Emerging technologies such as biometric contactless, robotics, delivery, ghost kitchens, lockers, digital signage, vending and automated vending lead the way.   Amazon and Google revolutionize physical delivery. OuterWall has another great idea (or not).
      • More mature retail technology includes interactive displays, next-generation POS,  and interactive one-to-one customer service technology.
      • Companion technologies include EV charging technology. EV charging stations located in the Kohls parking lot provide extra convenience and pulls in additional traffic from users searching Google Maps for a convenient recharge point. Restaurants are now including.
      • Sustainability has emerged with zero carbon footprint McDonalds restaurants now.
      • Standards – here we have more regulatory guidelines in play along with more standards than any other industry. PCI, OPOS, JPOS, MPOS,  HIPAA, ADA, UL, CE just to name a few.

    Recent News and Trends in Retail Automation and Vending (June 2025)

    Major Industry Developments

    • Acquisitions and Market Expansion

      • 365 Retail Markets recently acquired Cantaloupe, signaling ongoing consolidation and investment in advanced vending and retail automation technology1.

      • Five Star Breaktime Solutions acquired Heart of Georgia Vending, further expanding its reach in unattended retail services2.

    • Robotic and Smart Store Deployments

      • VenHub, a fully robotic, autonomous smart store, was deployed at the LAX Metro Transit Center, offering 24/7 unattended shopping with real-time inventory automation and mobile-first customer engagement158.

      • VenHub’s model is part of a broader trend where vending machines and automated stores are being positioned as last-mile delivery nodes and flexible alternatives to traditional brick-and-mortar retail35.

    Technological Innovations

    • Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics

      • AI is now standard in vending and automated retail, powering everything from inventory management and sales forecasting to customer behavior analysis and theft prevention52.

      • AI-driven vending machines can now recognize products, track inventory in real time, and optimize restocking, reducing operational costs and improving customer experience5.

    • Smart Vending Machines and Micro Markets

      • New machines feature dual temperature zones (refrigerated and frozen), touchscreen ordering, and support for contactless, mobile, and card payments35.

      • Companies like Cantaloupe, Haha Vending, and Vendera Technologies showcased AI-enabled smart coolers and vending machines at the 2025 NAMA Show, with features such as product recognition, remote monitoring, and automated restocking52.

    • Remote Management and Connectivity

      • Operators can now remotely monitor and manage machines, reducing downtime and service costs. Examples include DPL Wireless’s MDB Restart and cloud-based platforms for real-time analytics and maintenance alerts5.

    • Payment and Loyalty Integration

      • Platforms like Nayax have expanded cashless payment options, loyalty programs, and marketing automation, integrating with vending and EV charging stations alike52.

    Consumer Experience and Market Growth

    • Frictionless and Contactless Retail

      • Modern vending solutions emphasize fast, clean, and fully contactless shopping, appealing to younger consumers and those seeking convenience at any hour3.

      • The industry is responding to consumer demand for seamless digital payments and instant product access, with AI and mobile tech driving these improvements53.

    • Market Outlook

      • The global smart vending machine market is projected to surpass $21 billion by 2029, driven by urbanization, rising real estate costs, and demand for flexible, unattended retail solutions3.

    Highlighted Innovations from 2025 NAMA Show

    Company/Brand Innovation/Feature
    Crave Robotics Hot food vending kiosk with ADA-compliant touchscreen, chef meals5
    Haha Vending AI-enabled glass-front smart coolers with precise product recognition5
    Kiosoft Technologies Frozen vending with elevator dispensing and 49” touchscreen5
    LE Vending US Robotic coffee machine with real-time monitoring and analytics5
    Nayax AI-powered smart coolers, POS, and loyalty/payment integration5
    VenHub Fully robotic, autonomous smart store for 24/7 unattended shopping58

    Industry Events

    • The Self-Service Innovation Summit has rebranded as the Automated Retail and Kiosk Innovation Show (ARKI), highlighting the sector’s evolution and focus on automation7.

    Summary

    Retail automation and vending are rapidly advancing, with AI, robotics, and connectivity transforming unattended retail into a mainstream, scalable solution. The industry is seeing significant investment, new product launches, and a focus on frictionless, data-driven consumer experiences. As the sector grows, expect further integration of smart technologies, expanded payment options, and new business models leveraging automation for efficiency and customer engagement1235.

    For more information, email us at info@retailsystems.org

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