Category Archives: Retail automation vending

Retail automation vending

Elliot Maras Profile

Elliot Maras — Self-Service Technology Journalist, Industry Analyst and Event Moderator Elliot Maras is one of the leading journalists and analysts covering self-service technology, unattended retail, kiosk systems, restaurant automation, vending technology, and retail automation. With more than 30 years of reporting experience, he provides market intelligence, conference coverage, executive thought leadership, and strategic communications services for technology… Read More »

NAMA 2026: AI-drives opportunities for unattended retail; 9 takeaways to consider

AI plays a key role in convenience services post-COVID rebound “Fresh Food, No Kitchen Required” was how Aramark Refreshments greeted visitors at Imagination Way, the entry point at the NAMA 2026 trade show in Los Angeles last week. That theme carried itself throughout the Los Angeles Convention Center as attendees discovered the myriad ways unattended retail technology enables… Read More »

NAMA 2026 – Convenience services: From commoditization to specialization

NAMA Show

NAMA Show 2026 in Los Angeles Has there ever been a more exciting time to be in the convenience services industry? Take a look at the education schedule for NAMA 2026 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, April 22-24. The capabilities introduced by AI and related technologies have unleashed extensive possibilities for delivering white glove quality service in… Read More »

CES 2026: AI, robotics drive B2C/B2B crossover

Photo provided by the Consumer Technology Association. Tech Report from Las Vegas Everyone knows AI is changing the way we live. What became obvious walking the CES show this week is that everything from making the morning coffee to using the toilet to knowing the best route to get to wherever you’re going when you leave the house… Read More »

Automated Bar for Sports Fans w/ Facial Recognition & Age Verification

Automated Bar Service

Automated Bar Service News IDmission brings verification, convenience, and security to TendedBar automated cocktail service Jacksonville, FL – Whether it’s an NFL Game, an Elton John, Metallica, or Bruno Mars concert, or the final round of a PGA TOUR event, the last thing fans want to do is miss the action while waiting in line to get a drink.  TendedBar,… Read More »

Automation – Swyft Raises $3.5M Series A Financing

The original founder of ZoomSystems has funding for new endeavor which seems to be in the same space in many ways.

Source: finance.yahoo.com

Swyft was co-founded by Gower Smith, creator of the automated retail industry. “We are at the inflection point where automated retail is proven, however has not yet scaled. Just like when banks introduced ATMs, location numbers increased 10 times once independent manufacturers deployed low-cost machines. At ZoomSystems I quickly grew annual sales from zero to $100 million, but after handing off management, the company didn’t continue to lower capital cost to improve ROI. Our data showed that this was the key for scale to tens of thousands of locations and billions in revenue, which is our focus at Swyft.”

Walmart Innovation Lab 415-C Call for Innovation

Walmart Innovation Lab 415-C is opening submissions to technology companies wanting to be selected for Walmart’s “Technology Innovation Open Call” on Oct. 6, 2016. Submission deadline is July 22, 2016 or the first 250 submissions. Submissions should include a three-minute video and written overview of the company. During the open call event, vendors will meet with key technology… Read More »

Whitepaper – Smart Technology & Interactive Retail

Interactive Retail

Smart technology consumer products are breaking the interactive retail barrier in creative, educational and experiential ways. Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. sponsored a white paper, “Interactive retail opens the door to market growth”, delving into this topic and what to watch for in the coming year. An excerpt from the whitepaper: While more and more retailers offer experiential… Read More »