The humble vending machine, well-known for its offering of soft drinks, chips and chocolate bars, is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in company canteens – or breakrooms as they are known in the US.

 

In the US, free-standing vending machines have evolved into ‘micro markets’ – best described as unattended stores that offer consumers open product shelving and automated cashless payment, and are often found at larger workplace locations with more than 120 employees.

 

In the mid-2000s a handful of progressive vending operators were convinced the self-checkout kiosks they saw at supermarkets could be used to speed up purchases in the employee breakrooms they were servicing.

 

Leading micro market providers in the US include Avanti Markets, 365 Retail Markets (which recently acquired rival Company Kitchen), Breakroom Provisions and Three Square Market.

 

According to a recent research report on micro markets, there are more than 20,000 micro markets on location in the US. The sector is estimated to achieve double-digit growth over the next few years.