The vending world is changing and adapting with new and exciting trends emerging all the time. Vending machine trends tend to align pretty closely with other food and beverage trends as people seek to eat and drink well on the move.

Over the last few years, the key shift has been from traditional confectionery like crisps and chocolate to healthier and fresher options. That’s not to say people have given up on their lunchtime Pepsi altogether, rather that modern consumers expect a much wider range of choice.

In this piece, we’re examining some of the most popular vending machine drinks of the past as well as looking at where the industry is heading in 2022 and beyond.

Most Popular Vending Machine Drinks

The vending world is changing and adapting, with new and exciting trends constantly emerging. Vending machine trends tend to align closely with food and beverages as people seek to eat and drink well on the go.

In recent years, there’s been a shift from traditional staples, such as crisps and chocolate to healthier, fresher options. That’s not to say people have given on their lunchtime can of Coca-Cola, rather that modern consumers expect more choice.

Our article examines some of the most popular vending machine drinks from the past, as well as looking at where the industry is heading now and beyond.

Fizzy Pop & Soda

For many people, the idea of grabbing a quick can of pop is commonly associated with vending. While the industry has come a long way, having a range of fizzy options available is still important, even if their popularity is dwindling.

Some of the most popular brands we see stocked are Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite and Mountain Dew. Coca-Cola, in particular, is one of the highest-grossing products regularly stocked in vending machines. That’s perhaps unsurprising given its global status, but what is interesting is that despite a wider shift to healthier lifestyles and a UK tax on sugar, Coke’s sales have continued to grow.

Bottled Water

Bottled water is another drink that has long been synonymous with vending machines. Companies like Evian, Buxton and Harrogate have used the ready availability of vending machines to boost both brand awareness and overall sales.

Although we don’t expect to see bottled water disappearing from machines any time soon, there has been a real shift towards installing water dispensers and encouraging users to bring their own reusable bottles.

Energy Drinks

There are definitely times when an energy boost is needed to get you through the day. For those of us who don’t like coffee, energy drinks are often the go-to. Although the caffeine content is often higher than your average cup of coffee, the sweet taste and convenience of a can makes them attractive.

Brands like Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar have been the most popular when it comes to vending with each one offering (slightly) healthier options that contain little or no sugar.

Coffee

The other popular option when it comes to getting your daily caffeine fix is, of course, coffee. Hot drinks vending machines are some of the most popular with any good office or public space having one.

In the UK, brands like Lavazza have started supplying beans to more and more vending companies. This has meant that consumers have been able to enjoy better quality coffee than ever before. Even some of the big coffee chains like Costa have seen the impact vending can have on sales with their machines now commonplace in petrol stations and supermarkets across the country.

Drinks for Vending Machines – Latest Trends

The 2010s saw a major shift in consumer habits with more and more of us taking our health seriously. This directly impacted our food and beverage choices with the health foods industry set to top $1.1 trillion by 2027.

At the same time, consumer buying habits have changed. Now more than ever, the emphasis is on convenience and speed of service. Potential customers expect high-quality products and they expect to get them quickly.

Here’s how we think these trends will impact the types of drinks stocked in vending machines around the world.

Plant-Based Options

Obviously, things like fruit juices and smoothies are already very popular. But products that contain other plant-based ingredients like soy or almond milk are set to be some of the most in-demand vending machine drinks this year.

As veganism continues to become more and more popular, we expect to see traditional dairy products increasingly replaced with alternatives.

Organic & Sustainable Drinks

Consumers today want to know where their food and drink from and how it was produced. From farmers receiving fair pay for their work or companies not contributing to climate change targets, producing organic and sustainable drinks will be front and centre of the industry.

All-In-One Solutions

Another trend we’ve been seeing is the increased popularity of all-in-one solutions like our DELI CAFE micro-market. Particularly popular in offices, solutions like these allow drinks, snacks and more substantial meals to be integrated into one smart service. With all of your favourite brands like Coca Cola and Lavazza available, micro-markets are set to shape the future of vending over the next few years.

If you or your business would benefit from state of the art vending solutions, reach out to our team today to discuss your options in detail.

The World’s Most Popular Vending Machine Drinks.