In search of a 'smart' city: Dallas mayor, Microsoft, Mastercard

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Mayor Michael Rawlings offers his own take on what defines a "smart city." Microsoft and Mastercard are also working to bring Rawlings' vision to fruition.

5G has arrived, promising to revolutionize retail

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

5G technology promises to make it easier for retailers to access cloud technology, and to enable faster development of both business and consumer services.

2019 Kiosk Market Census Report reports record growth in 2018

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The industry's growth in 2018 was driven largely by factors cited in last year's report — rising mobile commerce and Internet of Things technology — but the…

NCR seeks a return to profitability in 2019

by Suzanne Cluckey — Owner, Suzanne Cluckey Communications

With a tumultuous 2018 behind them, the new executive team at NCR Corp. believes that the stage is set to finally make headway this year toward the…

Soho accessories store entices Valentine’s Day shoppers with jewelry kiosk

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Marla Aaron, a jewelry designer, developed a vending kiosk to sell jewelry, which has generated interest in a museum, a hotel garden and now a women's…

KFC plans kiosks for 5,000 restaurants by 2020

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

David Gibbs, president and chief operating officer of KFC’s parent company, Yum Brands, said the goal is to have 5,000 restaurants with kiosks by 2020.

Interactive Customer Experience Association opens nominations for 2019 Elevate Awards

The ICX Association Elevate Awards honor the individuals and organizations that are pacesetters in using technology to elevate the customer experience. Winners…

China is retailing’s future: Unattended stores, walletless buying and automated warehouses

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

E-commerce is driving automation on all fronts in China: purchasing; delivery; and supply chain logistics. Artificial intelligence is also driving change.

Why personalization and customization technologies are gaining clout at retail

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Virtual shopping and shopper personalization were twin themes during the recent CES show in Las Vegas. A pair of sessions, "Shopping as a virtual adventure…

Autonomous stores on the way, but is Amazon Go on first?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

In many people's eyes, one of the most disruptive retail developments has been the late 2016 launch of Amazon Go, but some observers have questioned its…

Home Depot, Zivelo give guidance at NRF on building the 'store of the future'

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Healey Cypher, CEO of Zivelo, and Albert Vita, director of in-store experience and visual merchandising at The Home Depot, co-presented their ideas on defining…

Economic uncertainties don't quell positive 2019 outlook for interactive kiosks

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The kiosk industry expects record growth for the coming year, notwithstanding uncertainties about the stock market and the impact of President Trump's trade…

New year outlook: 2019 expected to surpass 2018

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Kiosk industry observers are upbeat for 2019 as retailers are recognizing the need for in-store technology to assist their overburdened sales associates, a…

Leading kiosk topics in 2018: self-checkout, self-order and more

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The best read stories of 2018 covered a wide range of topics, with self-checkout and restaurant self-order technologies among the more popular themes.

Amazon exec: Voice assistant makes retail experience personal, natural, authentic

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Voice commerce continues to grow, offering retailers new ways to engage the consumer. But Patrick Gauthier, vice president of Amazon Pay, has more questions…

Kiosk touchscreen sanitation study unlikely to bring regulatory action

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The discovery of bacteria-contaminated touchscreens on McDonald's self-order kiosks in the U.K. has alarmed some observers, but U.S. regulatory officials don't…

McDonald's bacteria-covered kiosks give rise to safety concerns

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Bacteria found on McDonald's U.K. touchscreens have raised concerns about kiosk sanitation, presenting what many consider to be the first public health issue…

VR, AR, MR? Get ready for 'extended reality’

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Extended reality, which combines VR, AR MR and 360-degree video, stands to change the way consumers and busineses interact, and much more, according to experts.

How self-serve payment kiosks improve power company’s revenues and efficiencies

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Automated payment kiosks have improved the customer experience for an Alabama utility company, in addition to improving cash flow and lowering processing…

Apple's automatic sleep feature raises concern for some kiosk users

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

An automatic sleep feature in Apple's recently released iOS 12 has caused issues for some users, including those with iPads running kiosk software.