From Vending Machines to Autonomous Retail: The Evolution of Grab‑and‑Go Shopping

Retail convenience has always been driven by speed. Customers prefer shopping experiences that save time and require minimal effort. Over the years, retail…

SandStar VRK AI Vending Machine Fact Sheet

SandStar’s VRK AI Vending Machine (30,000+ sold across 30 countries, trusted by 25 Fortune 500 firms) embodies “Real AI. Real Easy” with its “Any Product…

Presented by SandStar

SandStar Unveils the VRK, the New Home for the World’s Most Ambitious Vending Operators

The AI-Powered vending machine brings Four-camera protection, Dual-sensor lock security, and a self-learning engine to the retail floor—all backed by an…

British tourist destroys check-in kiosks at Hong Kong airport

February 23, 2026

A violent incident occurred Feb. 16 inside Terminal 1 at Hong Kong International Airport when a man was seen knocking over automated check-in kiosks and…

EcoATM collected 7.5 million devices last year

February 20, 2026

San Diego-based ecoATM collected 7.5 million electronic devices for reuse or recycling in 2025, according to a Waste Today Magazine report. The devices were…

Nebraska capital showcases rangelands with educational kiosk

February 18, 2026

A traveling educational kiosk about the importance of rangelands has been deployed in Nebraska as part of the United Nations' designation of 2026 as the…

Elevated lead levels found at some drinking water kiosks

February 17, 2026

A study published in Environmental Science & Technology examined the safety of water dispensed from freestanding water vending kiosks and found that some…

New Bern, North Carolina rolls out informational kiosks

February 17, 2026

New Bern, North Carolina has installed new informational kiosks to make it easier for residents and visitors to explore downtown attractions. The kiosks…

How self-service operators win by automating through curation

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Josh Rosenberg, founder of Forward Thinkers, outlines challenges the self-service and automation industry and what operators need to do to overcome those…

How retail ATMs are transforming into financial kiosks

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

Customers still want retail ATMs, but expect advanced self-service banking tools. Enter the financial kiosk.

Qatar's Dukhan Bank rolls out digital onboarding kiosk

February 13, 2026

Dukhan Bank has introduced Qatar's first digital onboarding kiosk integrated with the Qatar Digital Identity (QDI) platform, according to the Gulf Times.

White Castle adds automated kiosk at Southwest Florida International Airport

February 12, 2026

White Castle has installed an automated kiosk at Southwest Florida International Airport. Travelers passing through the Fort Meyers area can enjoy freshly…

Swiss airports warn of delays due to EES rollout

February 12, 2026

European aviation and travel groups are warning that the rollout of the EU's biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), which relies heavily on self-service…

What we learned at the Automated Retail and Kiosk Innovation Show

As automation moves deeper into physical environments, companies need to plan early for installation, maintenance, repair, and ongoing upgrades across their…

Connecticut town adds to parking kiosk fleet

February 11, 2026

Officials in New Canaan, Connecticut, are considering installing eight new parking kiosks in the downtown area, according to a CT Insider report. The proposal…

Why Smart Coolers and Vending Kiosks Are Becoming the New “Mini Stores”

If you’ve noticed more vending-style setups in offices, apartments, hospitals, or even airports lately — you’re not imagining it. Retail is shifting fast, and…

Eye-exam kiosks see pushback from optometrist groups

February 10, 2026

National and state optometric organizations have raised patient safety and regulatory concerns about Eyebot's rollout of its self-serve, AI-enabled…

Crypto kiosks face regulatory challenges

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Are bitcoin ATMs to blame for these scams? Should they be banned? The regulatory landscape is still uncertain but there is a path forward.

Swipe fees could cost consumers $683M on Valentine’s day

February 10, 2026

Credit card swipe fees could cost consumers more than $683 million given expected higher prices for Valentine's Day gifts, according to the Merchants Payments…

German airport rolls out ESS kiosks

February 9, 2026

Germany's Berlin Brandenburg Airport has activated its new Entry/Exit System (EES) self-service kiosks, allowing non-EU travelers to pre-register passport and…