From creative brand promotions that involve customized vending machines to innovative cultural pursuits like the short story vending machine, there are plenty of unexpected applications of automated retail culture that can be observed.
As consumers become more concerned around the origins and nutritional value of food and beverage products, vending machine concepts that involve fresh food options seek to re-imagine stereotypes about just what type of food can be purchased from a machine.
Separately, other cultural movements can be seen with their own vending machine counterpart. A winning example of such is the cannabis vending machine at a particular Washington State dispensary. The cannabis vending machine, legal based on recreational laws in the state, is one iteration of the influence of the desire for convenient, automated retail alternatives.
40 Unexpected Vending Machines
40
Flip Flop Vending Machines
Old Navy's Shoe Vending Machine Trades Tweets for Flip Flops
39
Candy-Dispensing Public Benches
The Kit Kat Bench Rewarded Those Who Rested for 60-seconds
38
Gamified Recycling Programs
This Initiative Aims to Encourage Recycling During the Rugby World Cup
37
Fresh Food Vending Machines
Let's Pizza Makes 100 Different Variations from Scratch
36
Unconventional Shop Displays
Fendi's Designer Pop-Up Shop Displays Include Vending Machines
35
Vehicle Vending Machines
The Carvana Dealership Gamifies Car Pick-Ups with a Car Vending Machine
34
Selfie Vending Machines
This Japanese Beverage Dispenser Offers a Complimentary Portrait
33
Umbrella-Lending Vending Machines
These Japanese Beverage Dispensers Offer Free Umbrella Rentals
32
Frozen Food Vending Machines
BICOM's Machines Release Frozen and Hot Food on Demand
31
Short Story Vending Machines
This Machine Opts for Dispensing Literature Rather than Junk Food
30
Exercise-Dependendant Water Machines
This Machine Requires Users to Run for Clean Drinking Water
29
Vending Machine Retail Displays
This Fendi Window Display at Harrod's is Inspired by Arcade Kiosks
28
Lager Vending Machines
The DraftServ Beverage Vending Machine Lets the Consumers Be the Bartender
27
All-Natural Cosmetics ATMs
These 3FLOZ Vending Machines Sell Travel-Sized Beauty in Airports
26
Cannabis Vending Machines
American Green Has Built the First Consumer-Operated Marijuana Atm
25
Nail Polish Vending Machines
Essie Nail Polish Can Now Be Purchased at a Vending Machine
24
Pastry Vending Machines
This Cool Vending Machine in Japan Dispenses Fresh Crepes
23
Nature-Swapping Vending Machines
Old Spice's Vending Machine Accepts Tokens from the Earth
22
Customizable Pizza Kiosks
NXT Pizza's Food Kiosk Lets Foodies Personalize Their Order
21
Ramen Noodle Vending Machines
This Unconventional Vending Machine Provides Savory Noodle Dishes
20
Poverty-Alleviating Vending Machines
The Automatic Food Dispenser Initiative Serves Poor Areas
19
Umbrella Vending Machines
'brellaBox is the World's First Rental Service for Sharing Umbrellas
18
Rice-Dispensing Machines
This Food Vending Machine Produces Steaming Rice for Chinese Students
17
Skincare Airport Dispensers
Online and Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport is Where to Buy Proactive
16
Junk-Refusing Vending Machines
These Healthy Snack Vending Machines Reference Your Medical Records
15
Tampon Vending Machines
O.B. is Appealing to Potential New Customers Candidly
14
Travel Souvenir ATMs
Souvenear is a Craft-Dispensing Vending Machine at Kansas City Airport
13
Galleria Caviar ATMs
This Caviar Vending Machine is Located in Los Angeles
12
Interactive Candy Kiosks
BMC's 'Media Kiosk' Collects Data, Mobile Payments and More
11
Floral Vending Machines
24Flower in Amsterdam is an Innovative New Retail Concept
10
Sweat-Activated Drink Dispensers
Gatorade's Drink Vending Machine Only Serves People Who Sweat
9
Coffee-Dispensing Crosswalks
This Nescafé Coffee Campaign Bring Strangers Together Via Technology
8
SIM Card Vending Machines
This Vending Machine Automates the Process of Giving Out Mobile Tech
7
Competitive Vending Machines
Knacki's Vending Machine Game Pit People Against Leo Van Der Elst
6
Free Book Vending Machines
JetBlue Launches a Free Book Vending Machine as Part of #BookBattle
5
Building Block Vending Machines
This LEGO Coca-Cola Machine Works Just Like the Real Thing
4
Sensory Vending Machines
Holiday Autos' Vending Machine Dispenses the Smells of Summer
3
Aromatic Vending Machines
This Vending Machine Provides Mood-Enhancing Scents of Summer
2
Noise-Rewarding Vending Machines
This Pepsi Vending Machine Gave Out Free Drinks to the Best Fans
1
Automated Cooperative Dispensaries
This Greek Milk Vending Machine is Powered by a Dairy Co-op
Related Ideas
Bean-Shaped Coffee Makers
The Conceptual Bean Coffee Machine by Juliana Juleva is Charming
Sports Car-Inspired Coffee Machines
The Conceptual Porsche Design nair Coffee Machine is Elegant
Cleverly-Disguised Fountain Cups
Pepsi's Latest Campaign Stunt Introduced 'Undercover Cups'
Experimental Film Motels
The Mountain Dew Borderlands Motel Brings the Video Game to Life
Technology-Driven Retail Spaces
ARK Visual Unveils Future Stores as an Immersive Retail Identity
Experiential Luggage Events
The BÉIS Bloomingdale’s Takeover Featured a Human Claw Machine
AI Marketing Storytelling
Coca-Cola AI Campaign Brings Nostalgia and Innovation Together
Time-Stamped Dietary Items
Cycle.me Unveils 7-Eleven Limited Edition Food Products
Restored Cafe Culture Retailers
The New Starbucks Coffee House Design Revives the Local Cafe Feel
Park Maintenance Service Robots
The 'PCNC. Parker' Service Robot Concept Supports Park Visitors
Branded AI-Generated Short Films
KFC Philippines Captures Attention with AI-Generated Films
AI-Driven Beverage Menus
Botrista Leverages AI & Machine Learning to Create Drink Menus
Generative AI Candy Campaigns
The Starburst 'Different Every Time' Campaign is Interactive
Autonomous Micro Markets
Micromart Features Digital Price Tags & AI Product Recognition Sensors
Kid-Powered Imagination Campaigns
Lunchables' A.I. vs K.I. Proves Kids' Limitless Creativity
Humorous Drink Cart Ads
Tito’s Spokescart Returns with New Tricks and the Same Laid-Back Charm
Comedic E-Commerce Brand Spots
Instacart Unveiled a Teaser for its Super Bowl Commercial
Parisian Airport Pop-Ups
Moët Hennessy's Paris Concept Event Featured Travel Exclusives
Underwater Vending Machines
Airheads' First-of-Its-Kind Vending Machine Takes Fun Instead of Cash
AI-Powered Bakery Pop-Ups
The Betty Crocker Dream Bake Studio Beats "Baker's Block" with AI
Robotic Beverage-Crafting Baristas
The Sidework Dispenser Develops a Multitude of Complex Drinks
AI Post-Apocalyptic Cities
Top10Casinos Explores the Future, Inspired by the Dune Universe
State-of-the-Art Retail Fragrance Dispensers
iRomaScents Enhances the Retail Experience with Tech
Naturalistic Taco Stand Campaigns
Coca-Cola Launched a Street Photography Campaign in Norway
Crave-Worthy Nutritious Food Brands
CVS Pharmacy Announced the Launch of Well Market
Novel AI-Generated Product Designs
Arcade Introduced a Transformative AI Product Creation Platform
Cost-Conscious Cashierless Microstores
Fainders.AI Launched a Prefab MicroStore Within a Gym
Nostalgia-Inspired Fast Food Concepts
McDonald’s CosMc’s Concept Officially Opens in Texas
United Mascot Commercials
The First-Ever Instacart Super Bowl Ad Unites Beloved Brand Icons
Nature-Inspired Coffee Boutiques
Nespresso Opens a Retail Location in Yorkdale Shopping Centre
AI-Fuelled QSR Animated Commercials
McDonald's Japan Rolls Out an AI Ad to Spotlight its Fries
Coffin-Shaped Ice Cream Tubs
The Alchemist by JDO Satisfies Consumers' Desire for the Unexpected
Customizable Retail Experiences
M&M'S® Debuts New Personalized Offerings to Delight Consumers
AI-Powered Advertiser Campaigns
Instacart Utilizes its Automation Tools for Universal Campaigns
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
AI Beer Vending Machines
Panhead Custom Ales Created a Machine That Gives Beer to Guitarists
AI-Generated Soup Can Art
The Campbell’s 'pAIntings' Initiative is Inspired by Artistic Greats
Convenient Store-Themed Pop-Ups
Lee Kum Kee Showcased its Ingredients with Retro Flare
Futuristic Imaginative Design Concepts
Toyota Introduces the Unique E-Collection of Products
Confessional Cafe Pop-Ups
KitchenAid Caffeine Confessions Celebrates Being Your Own Barista
Sausage Snack ATMs
Greggs and Monzo Created a Sausage Roll-Dispensing Machine
Modern Coffee Packaging Designs
Copper Cow Coffee Recently Debuted a New Look for Its Coffees
AI-Powered Recycling Systems
The Conceptual 'Binko' Recycling Machine Automates Sorting
GenAI Virtual Shoppers
Cindy by Imaginuity Boots Online and In-Store Foot Traffic
Autonomous Coffee Stations
Costa Coffee is Introducing an Autonomous Store System for Coffee Prep
AI-Assisted Business Ads
Google Workspace's 50 States, 50 Stories Shares Small Businesses Using AI
Self-Refilling Coffee Machines
Kara Pod Turns Humidity from the Air into Drinking Water
Cheese Sampling Robots
Cracker Barrel Cheese's AI-Powered Food Delivery Robots Share Sticks
Hydrogen-Powered Vending Machines
This Coca-Cola Hydrogen-Powered Vending Machine is Efficient
AI-Augmented Retail Checkouts
This Checkout Solution Helps Prevent Theft and Scanning Errors
Cold Brew Coffee Rebrands
'Robot Foods' Redesigned Cold Brew Packaging for FITCH with 'Here&Now'
Record-Breaking Autonomous Supermarkets
Sensei Debuted a Groundbreaking Supermarket at NRF 2025
Marketer-Targeted Cereal Ads
Surreal's Out-of-Home Campaign Speaks to Marketers, Not Consumers
Modern Coffee Packaging Designs
Happy™ Products Offers a Range of Coffee to Elevate Mornings
Automated Espresso Machines
Bosch's New Line of Machines is Designed for Coffee Enthusiasts
Portable Digitized Coffee Brewers
The 'Brewster' Coffee Machine Supports Precision Brewing
Employee-Free Smart Stores
The 'Teo' Employee-Free Store in Germany is a Success Story
Computer-Vision Self-Service Kiosks
Toshiba's Vision Kiosk Identifies Items Without Barcodes
AI-Driven Robotic Beverage Machines
Frazy Has Introduced the Frazy Bot at CES 2025
Whimsical Snack Machines
Jaffa Cakes Assembled an Interactive Installation to Entice Gen Z
Drink-Shaped Gaming Devices
7-Eleven is Giving Fans the Chance to Win a Slurpee-Shaped Tetris Game
Nostalgic Sports-Focused Grocery Campaigns
Instacart Debuts a Campaign in Kansas City
Pumpkin-Inspired Caffeine Drinks
7-Eleven Debuts It's New Pumpkin Spice Beverages
Movie-Goer-Inspired Soda Campaigns
Evolution Fresh Introduced its 'Fresh Twist on Soda' Campaign
Scented Fast Food Billboards
McDonald's Set Up a French Fry-Scented Billboard
Gamified In-Airport Activations
Haribo's Mobile Games Gives People of All Ages the Chance to Win
Modernist Toy-Like Coffee Makers
The 'KOIRO' Espresso Machine Concept is Playful Yet Posh
Automated Hot Food Kiosks
Sodexo and Automated Retail Technologies Teamed Up for New Kiosks
Future-Proof POS Systems
Metcalfe's Market is Expanding Toshiba Self Checkout System 7 Solutions
Immersive Coffee Boutiques
Nespresso Canada Has Launched a New Boutique in Montreal
Advanced Adaptive Retail Experiences
Walmart Unveiled New Retail Technologies at CES 2024
Barcode-Less Product Scanners
SeeChange Taps Diebold Nixdorf to Create AI Checkout Tools
QSR Summer Pop-Ups
McDonald's Mexico Launched a Summer-Themed Activation in Mexico
AI-Powered Marketing Tools
This E-Commerce Tool Uses Customer Data to Project Reward Impacts
Jelly Tint Arcade Pop-Ups
MILK MAKEUP will Offer an Experiential Claw Machine Event in NYC
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
Virtual Pub Museums
Heineken Pub Museums Spotlight Important Cultural Locations
Sustainable Cafe Delivery Cases
This Paper Pulp Coffee Carrier Keeps Drinks Hot or Cold
Inventive Retail Strategies
H&M is Working to Localize Its Shopping Experience
Conversational Robot Baristas
Second Space's KUBI Dynamically Interacts with Customers
Interactive Connected Packaging
Asahi Beverages Philippines Debuts a New Experience
Space-Inspired Dynamic Coffee Shops
DE-YAN and Jimmy Butler Open Up the First Bigface Store
Beverage Dispensing Robots
Ottobot Brew is Ultra-Capable Beer Dispensing Robot
Automated Ice Cream Restaurants
The ColdSnap Will Be Offered in Restaurants in the Near Future
Futuristic Cityscape Activations
Coca-Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar Took Over the Las Vegas Sphere
In-Store Audience Engagement Solutions
Social Shelf® Has a Novel Approach to Customer Engagement
Canned Refill Systems
Meadow Invites Brands Offer Refills in Aluminium Cans
Nostalgic Video Rental Pop-Ups
KitKat is Bringing Back Blockbuster to Help Fans "Break Better"
Life-Saving Vending Machines
Minneapolis Now Offers Vending Machines Stocked with Narcan
Cultural Shopping Experiences
Cadillac Fairview Transforms Malls for Lunar New Year Festivities
Robotic Beverage Systems
Richtech Robotics Employs ADAM at Ghost Kitchen Locations
Customizable White-Label Consumables
Printify Offers On-Demand Consumables for Brands & Businesses
Cinema-Inspired Chocolates
A24 Movie Chocolate Shares the Flavors of Beloved Theater Refreshments
Coffee-to-Go Retail Concepts
The Delice de France Café Delice Coffee Concept is Easy to Implement
Refrigerated Vending Machines
The REDYREF Smart Food Fridge Uses RFID Technology
Vending Machine Toys
Melissa & Doug's Wooden Vending Machine Play Set is Screen-Free
Accessibility-Focused Coffee Machines
Orlie's Innovative Coffee Machine Upgrade Tackles Barriers
Comprehensive Wholesale Retail Platforms
TVCMALL Seeks to Redefine the Wholesale Experience
Portable Autonomous Mini Marts
JUXTA's Nomad Offers Autonomous Mini Mart for EV Charging Stations
Gamified Shopping Carts
Instacart Unveils New Updates to its Smart Shopping Carts
Robotic Beverage Machines
FrazyBot is Coming to CES 2024 to Simplify Specialty Drinks at Home
Exploratory Art Exhibits
The Saga of the Department Stores Exhibit Explores Shopping’s Evolution
Shoppable Fridge Screens
Samsung Unveils a New Partnership with Instacart for On-Fridge Shopping
Self-Serve Cafe Machine Updates
Costa Express Machines Will Now Offer Fresh Tea
Colorful Box-Like Coffee Machines
One Object Unveils the FOOD Coffee Machine Series Concept
Dynamic Meal Ordering Kiosks
Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop is Bringing Samsung Kiosks to Locations
Hybrid Shopping Ventures
Smartseller Unveiled an Integrated Concept at Nuremberg Airport
Reimagined Story-Driven Campaigns
Visa Presented its 'Typewriter' Campaign at the 2025 Oscars
Automated Beverage Dispensing Solutions
Backbar Offers Automated Dispenser for Multiple Beverages
Hybrid Community Supermarkets
The After Market is a Grocery Store and a Food Pantry
24-Hour AI-Powered Stores
REWE To Go and Lekkerland SE Open Germany's First Autonomous Store
Employee-Facing Automation Technology
Starbucks' Siren Craft System Improves Customer Service
Prefabricated Ice Cream Shops
DRM Arquitectura Designs the Veneciana Canning Ice Cream Drive Thru
Playful QSR Campaigns
Cossette Forms the New McDonald's Campaign to Closest Restaurant
Interactive Juice Packaging
Gulf Union Foods Launched Fun Connected Packaging for its Juices
Recipe-Recommending Smart Fridges
Samsung's Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator Offers "AI Vision"
Eco-Friendly Cafe Vehicles
This Conceptual Solar-Powered Coffee Truck Operates Anywhere
Beer-Dispensing Guitar Machines
The 'Slay to Pay' Vending Machine is Activated by a Guitar Game
Loss Prevention AI Checkouts
Vynamic Smart Vision Shrink Reduction Addresses Self-Checkout Issues
Advanced Printing Techniques
BrandMyDispo Has Introduced Printing Techniques for Custom Mylar Bags
Paper Sampling Containers
Arcade Beauty Debuts a Paper-Based Sampling Solution for Beauty Products
Children's Story-Inspired Libraries
Studio Vapore Reimagines the Western Academy Library
Playful Coffee Packaging
Sunday Coffee Project's Packaging is Inspired by Cereal Boxes
Checkout-Free Convenience Systems
7-Eleven Australia Integrates a Checkout-Free Shopping System
Taiwan-Based AI Shopping Carts
Innolux Debuts a Smart Shopping Cart at FamiSuper Stores
Sci Fi-Themed Popcorn Machines
The Death Star Popcorn Maker Honors the Sci-Fi Franchise
Tradition-Focused Digital Libraries
Nestlé Brands Introduced the Living Traditions Library
Tech-Enabled Ice Cream Trucks
Alsies Reimagined a Nostalgic Experience for the 21st Century
Mango-Scented Newspaper Ads
Swiggy Instamart Launched a Scented Campaign in the Times of India
Pie Vending Machines
Intuit QuickBooks Installed a Large-Scale Pie and Mash Dispenser
Bar Cart Mascots
Tito's New Ad Series Features an Anthropomorphic Bar Cart with Mixology Skills
Mystery Ice Cream Shops
Surprise Scoop Invites Ice Cream Lovers to Play Flavor Roulette
Producer-Focused Coffee Packaging
Onyx Coffee Lab's Retail Coffee Packaging Enhances Connection
Retail Food Expiry Tools
Gander Taps C-Store Collective to Launch a New Service Partnership
Beverage Production Equipment Auctions
Divergent Asset Management is Running an Online Auction
Sausage Roll Distribution Machines
Greggs Introduces the Sausage Roll ATMmm Machine
Automated Stadium Checkout Solutions
AiFi Launches Checkout-Free Stores at Nissan Stadium
Modern Food Preservation Units
Matéo Robin Designs the Totem Food Preservation Unit
Computer Evolution Museums
Evolution Museum Explores Iconic Computers Through History
Arcade-Style Game Machines
Andamiro USA Launches the 'Crazy Toy 31' Game Machine