Vending in the US

2020 IMPACT

Stay-at-home orders cause vending sales to plunge

Impulse purchases of non-essential items drive much of the vending industry’s revenue. As US states introduced stay-at-home orders in March 2020, these purchases evaporated, leading to significant losses for the industry.

Vending machines re-purposed to sell personal protective equipment

In the spring and summer of 2020, retailers and public facilities across the US added face mask requirements for consumers to enter their spaces. For US residents unaccustomed to wearing face masks, forgetting masks and not being able to enter stores quickly became an issue.

Farmer’s Fridge offers delivery while workers stay at home

Founded in 2013, Farmer’s Fridge stocks its vending machines with fresh food from local vendors and farms. Most of its machines are located in offices, which meant that the vast majority of its operations ceased when many workers began to work from home in March 2020.

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

US vending recovery hinges on a return to work

The vending industry relies on impulse purchases, as consumers pick up snacks while rushing to work or grab an item they forgot to pack in their bag for the day. Many of these purchases occur either while US workers are commuting to their jobs or are partaking in other activities that have been limited by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cannabis industry offers vending a path to growth

Growth in the vending channel is typically limited to finding new locations for vending machines and upgrades to existing vending technology. New product offerings are, however, one of the best ways for the channel to grow, as consumers may prefer its convenience to in-store shopping or waiting for delivery of online orders.

The sustainable packaging movement hits the vending industry

Vending products are typically not associated with sustainability. Often sold individually in disposable plastic wrapping, these items are far from most environmentalists’ ideal of sustainable packaging.