Revolutionising the Vending Experience: The future of convenience in the Vending industry.
19 / 05 / 2025
Join Pierre Veillon, Worldline's Vending Marketing Manager, as he explores how modern technology is reshaping the vending experience and driving new consumer behaviours. With advancements in payment systems and online transactions, the vending industry is evolving to meet the demands of today's consumers, who seek convenience and flexibility.
Nowadays, we have a wide range of vending machines capable of dispensing all manner of items, including snacks, fresh food, hot and cold beverages, electronic devices, and more. Vending machines can be found across the globe in various commercial and non-commercial environments, catering to an ever-growing demand for convenience and immediacy.
Back in the day, vending machines only accepted coins, as it was easier to identify counterfeit coins than to differentiate between banknotes. Older vending machines often fell victim to counterfeit notes, which could be easily imitated to resemble the real deal. Today, however, vending machines have advanced significantly, now able to recognise authentic coins and notes, while also providing accurate change to users upon payment.
As we navigate a digitalized landscape, vending machines are continuously becoming smarter and more user-friendly. Companies have successfully integrated credit card readers, recognizing that it is increasingly rare for people to carry large amounts of cash these days. The rise of mobile payment options such as Apple Pay and Android Pay has made customers more inclined to make purchases, subsequently helping vending companies boost their overall sales.
From Machine Interaction to Seamless Online Experiences
However, the world of vending machines remains relatively untouched, with customers interacting with goods purely at the machine itself. But, as we know, times are changing. Now, there are numerous vending machine use cases in which customers can pay online, either through a website or via a mobile app. This evolution encourages consumers to take advantage of the diverse and often more expensive selection of items available, ensuring they can obtain what they want precisely when they desire it.
For example, imagine wanting to enjoy a hot meal prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients at a train station; now, you can book it in advance, pay online, and simply pick it up at your convenience. Initiatives like the pilot program launched by Deutsche Bahn in 2021 at two commuter stations in the greater Munich area illustrate how forward-thinking companies are adopting these practices. Furthermore, there are numerous other alternatives, branded “BOPxx”—meaning “Buy Online, Pick-up somewhere”—where “somewhere” may refer to a physical store (BOPIS, or Buy Online Pick-up In Store) or even a locker (BOPIL, or Buy Online, Pick-up In Lockers). In these scenarios, customers complete purchases online and then verify their identity either with their credit or debit card or via a QR code when collecting their items.
Speaking of lockers, this evolution marks a new chapter for the vending industry, as companies introduce the option to book lockers in cities, at train stations, or during festivals and events for storing important belongings or even charging smartphones. The demand for such services is rapidly increasing and presents a valuable additional revenue stream for event organizers, allowing them to replace traditional event staff with smart lockers and vending machines.
How does payment fit into this innovative landscape?
Ultimately, payment systems must evolve to accommodate these new trends as we transition into a new dimension where consumers can make purchases from home or through their mobile devices. While existing eCommerce payment technologies enable these transactions, they are not enough on their own; customers also need an efficient method to pick up their goods or access their booked lockers. There are several approaches to facilitating this process. One method involves delivering a QR code, SMS, or whatever identifier is needed to the consumer to enable them to open the locker.
Alternatively, the credit or debit card used for the online prepayment can be employed to gain access to the designated locker. In this case, the payment system generates a card token during the eCommerce transaction, which can then be replicated for locker access. This method also necessitates that locker systems include a payment terminal—though not for each locker individually, rather for a consolidated wall of lockers.
Worldline is ideally positioned to excel in this evolving market, meeting the diverse requirements of all clients. With a comprehensive end-to-end offering, including payment terminals, eCommerce and mobile payment solutions, along with extensive pan-European acquiring services, vending operators can expand their business across a multitude of use cases throughout Europe.
