Don't forget: ARKI Awards nomination deadline is Sept. 4

Time is running out to submit nominations for the 2026 Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Awards. The Sept. 4 deadline is approaching for companies…

Does AI really save time in vending operations?

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

For small vending operators, artificial intelligence's biggest benefit may not come from futuristic machines or complicated predictive models. It can be as straightforward as having another set of hands in the office.

Beyond the kiosk: Why AI in retail still needs a human purpose

We’re moving from technology that waits for the customer to figure out what to ask toward systems that can participate in the conversation, but the opportunity is not about replacing the associate.

Lock America,Inc.

In business for more than three decades, Lock America, Inc. of Corona,CA develops, manufactures and markets high security locks for various industries, including amusement, gaming, information management, fuel distribution and self-storage.

Pop Mart vending machine replaces cupcake ATM at USC

Pop Mart has opened what the company describes as its first college-campus vending location outside the University of Southern California Bookstore, according…

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.