Vending machines heading east

We have found at the Eu’Vend exhibition of the vending machine business held in Cologne, in September that Hungarians, Poles and Czechs had become important for the industry, which generates annual revenues of EUR 26 billion in Europe with 3,7 million machines. As the Western European market appears to be saturated, companies are looking for new opportunities in the East and South. According to Catherine Piana, director of the European Vending Association growth is only possible for the sector by entering new markets. A number of promising innovations appeared at the exhibition, including a cereal machine for use in schools, hotels and places of work, which not only portions cereals, but also adds milk or yoghurt. I have also seen a hot-dog machine from which we can buy a fresh, hot and wrapped hot dog. There was a machine which makes excellent quality Latte Macchiato, acting as the most compact Coffee shop in the world. One of the most interesting innovations was an automated food store, with 40 meters of shelves behind glass and everything sold in neighbourhood stores. six shelves. Life is becoming more difficult for operators of vending machines, as some EU regulations have become more stringent. There is also a new problem in the form of money disappearing from vending machines. The image of vending machine also needs to be improved as many people have doubts about the quality of the products sold by these, while others blame them for the growing number of fat children.