Regulation creep: 5 policy issues vending operators should watch in 2026

by Richard Slawsky

Taken individually, none of the policy issues is likely to upend the vending industry overnight. Taken together, though, they can reshape the economics of vending and unattended retail.

What we learned at the Automated Retail and Kiosk Innovation Show

As automation moves deeper into physical environments, companies need to plan early for installation, maintenance, repair, and ongoing upgrades across their entire footprint.

Five Star completes Krodel buy

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Five Star Breaktime Solutions has completed its acquisition of the vending and coffee operations of Jasper, Ind.-based Krodel Vending.

Micro Markets

Micro markets are unattended areas in a building where customers purchase products from open shelves and containers, then pay for them at a self-service kiosk.