3 Vending Trends for 2026

The new year is the perfect time to evaluate consumer preferences and trends from the previous year. These valuable insights allow us to continuously improve our services and further promote customer satisfaction and vending growth.

Cashless Payments

Consumer demand for cashless payments grew even stronger throughout 2025. Not only do customers expect the ability to pay by card, but customers acquired a strong preference for “tap” payments. Vending machine purchases are driven by speed and convenience, and customers are more likely to abandon the purchase if they are required to take time to pay with cash. Cashless payment methods also make it easier to implement opportunities such as loyalty programs.

Micro Markets

Micro markets continued to rise in popularity last year. Customers overall spent more at micromarkets than they did at vending machines in 2025. Additionally, customers spent significantly more per transaction at micro markets. If you’ve been thinking about investing in a micro market, 2026 is the year to do so, as customers continue to choose micro markets over traditional vending machines.

Fresh Food Options

Finally, customers favored fresh food options over traditional vending snacks. This trend is particularly present in high-traffic environments such as offices, universities, and hospitals, allowing employees, students, and patients high-quality food and beverage options that are onlya few steps away. Micro markets and smart coolers are two great options for stocking fresh foods.

Contact Refresh Sips & Eats today to learn more about our vending services.