NAMA OneShow Showcases trends

May 11, 2015

The 2015 NAMA OneShow in Las Vegas, NV, was record-breaking, according to Chairman Pete Tullio. With 263 exhibitors, 75 of those attending for the first time, this year’s expo for vending, micro markets and office coffee service (OCS) offered a tremendous array of solutions centered on the core business aspects of the future.

Technology integration was one focus of the show. Operators talked candidly about the necessity of adding technology not only to accept whatever payment the consumer has, but also to manage the operation. Vending management systems (VMS) are no longer ‘nice-to-haves’, but instead have become ‘need-to-haves.’

The ability to both visit a machine only when necessary and prekit products for the route driver, are allowing tremendous growth and unparalleled control over the business by the operator. Suppliers presented systems to meet this opportunity with more sophisticated and robust features.

Technology innovation in the form of mobile payments and promotional offers within vending apps was another area that increased. Suppliers pushed the boundaries of the traditional vending offers and payment models, making it more similar to retail with the same digital advertising and consumer packaged goods rebates other segments enjoy.There were also more micro market suppliers who entered the space in 2015, many focusing on the healthy selection side of the micro market business.

The busy OCS area of the tradeshow floor illustrated the outstanding increases in the coffee segment. In fact, single-cup options launched by smaller roasters was at an all time high at the OneShow.