Tech Innovation Holds Keys to $12 Billion Vending Market, according to Packaged Facts

Feb. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- While food and beverage vending has suffered from years of significant sales declines, the industry may be turning the corner.  In its just-released report on Food and Beverage Vending Trends in the U.S., Packaged Facts forecasts 1.5% market growth by 2015, on the heels of vending machine innovation that promises higher food and beverage quality, increased consumer interaction, increased cashless payment acceptance, and more aggressive competition with foodservice.  

By product segment, the $11.7 billion food and beverage vending market in the U.S. draws 83% of sales from just two product segments: cold beverages and candy/snacks/confections.   As implied by this top food segment, snacking is the name of the game.  By a wide margin, according to Packaged Facts survey data, consumers categorize their vending machine and mobile vending purchases as snacks, which account for about 57% of consumer vending machine and mobile vending spend.

Demographically, the fast-growing Hispanic population ranks among the prime consumers for food and beverage vending.  While Hispanic households comprise 12% of U.S. households and only 10% of U.S. household income, they are responsible for 20% of consumer vending machines/mobile vending spend.

According to David Sprinkle, Research Director for Packaged Facts, technological innovation holds the keys to future growth in the vending market. Social and interactive vending, touchscreens, and wireless supply-side networking are a big part of the equation, offering tremendous upside for consumer engagement. But virtually every macro driver in the vending market is heavily influenced by technological change, from cashless payments to health and quality vending enhancements.

And while the strength of vending lies in snacking convenience, growth will come from delivering health, freshness and quality. Sales of fresh food are growing, and natural vending solutions bring the promise of higher-quality, higher-status food and drink to the market.

For more information, please visit www.MarketResearch.com or http://www.packagedfacts.com/Vending-Trends-6488959/

About Packaged Facts – Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer market topics, including consumer demographics and shopper insights, consumer financial products and services, consumer goods and retailing, consumer packaged goods (including foods and beverages, health and beauty care, and household products), and pet products and services.  Packaged Facts also offers a full range of custom research services.

To learn more, visit: www.packagedfacts.com.  Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, and on our blog: http://packagedfacts.blogspot.com/

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