New product nominees sought for our 2026 Readers' Choice New Products of the Year Awards

    April 10, 2025
    Suppliers and manufacturers who introduced a product or equipment to the convenience channel in 2025 are encouraged to submit their entries. Get attention for your new product now and save your place on the 2026 ballot.

    Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com are accepting nominations for our annual Readers' Choice New Products of the Year (POTY) Awards.

    The 2026 POTY Awards recognize new products and equipment for vending, micro market or office coffee service (OCS) that were introduced in 2025. Product entries for the awards program will be accepted until Jan. 6, 2026. Voting details will be announced in January 2026.

    Product entries can include new, novel flavors from existing brands. Categories for the 2026 competition include:

    Convenience Foods

    • Breakfast
    • Candy
    • Cookies and Pastry
    • Healthy Convenience
    • Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
    • Fresh Food
    • Frozen Food
    • Protein or Meat Snacks
    • Salty Snacks
    • NEW! Limited Time Only Foods
    • NEW! Convenience foods developed as a collaboration between two or more brands

    Beverages

    • Cold Beverages
    • Energy Drinks
    • Coffee, Tea and Other Hot Beverages
    • NEW! Limited Time Only Beverages
    • NEW! Beverages developed as a collaboration between two or more brands

    OCS & Water

    • OCS Products and Consumables (examples: cups, creamers, syrups)
    • Brewing Equipment
    • Water and Ice Systems
    • Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Products

    Hardware and Software

    • Equipment (examples: smart coolers, vending equipment)
    • Micro Market-Focused Solutions
    • AI/Robotics-Enabled Solutions
    • Security and Theft Prevention

    Technology

    • Operation Optimization (examples: inventory management, VMS, RTUs, route-planning software and machine diagnostics apps)
    • Payment Technology (examples: credit card reader, cashless payment systems, bill validators, locks)
    • Asset Tracking and Machine Service
    • Warehouse management system (WMS)

    NEW! Business Development

    • AI Sales
    • Web Design, Hosting and Administration
    • Telemarketing Services
    • Lead Generation
    • Loyalty and Rewards Programs

    Tools & Accessories

    • Pre-kitting, Delivery and Restocking
    • Customer Experience (examples: fixtures, racks, stations)
    • Other

    POTY Eligibility and How to Enter

    Only products introduced throughout 2025 are eligible. Products will be posted on the website throughout 2025, building your product and brand awareness, and will be included on the 2026 ballot. 

    To enter, suppliers and manufacturers should submit:

    • A high-resolution product photo (ideally, 16:9 ratio, or 1600x900 pixels. If a landscape image is not available, a 900 x 900 pixels minimum is acceptable, but larger is better)
    • A description that includes
      • The product launch month/year
      • Product category (select below). Please choose one category for each product submitted.
      • 200-word or less product description 
    • Include this subject line when emailing the submission: POTY 2026 submission | Company Name

    Send all materials to [email protected] no later than Jan. 6, 2026.

    Time to Vote?

    In January 2026, all qualifying submissions will be included in the POTY ballot for readers to cast a vote for their favorite new convenience products. (Note: categories may be adjusted prior to voting based on product submissions.)

    Voting opens in early 2026. 

    Questions? Comments? Contact Editor-in-Chief Linda Becker at [email protected].

    Click here to see the 2024 Readers' Choice winners.