Navy Exchange launches 24-hour micro market

October 19, 2026

Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece has opened a fully automated Navy Exchange micro market designed to provide military personnel with round-the-clock…

Mom-daughter team debuts 24-hour flower vending machine

October 16, 2026

A mother-daughter team has opened a flower vending machine offering bouquets around the clock at Telford Centre in England, according to a Shropshire Star…

Tech institute deploys Amazon's Just Walk Out checkout-free technology

October 5, 2026

365 Retail Markets and Evergreen Refreshments have opened a checkout-free store in the cafeteria at Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland…

Aldi processing tons of produce at its UK automated warehouse

September 28, 2026

Supermarket chain Aldi is now processing more than 1.5 million kilos of fresh produce in its stores each day at its Bardon Distribution Center in…

Vending machines highlight artistic works

September 18, 2026

A new public art program has placed miniature art vending machines at five locations in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, according to a press release.

Virginia bakery deploys 24-hour dessert pickup lockers

September 17, 2026

Shyndigz, a Richmond, Virginia bakery, has opened 18 refrigerated self-service lockers that allow customers to pick up desserts around the clock, according to…

Murphy USA deploying automated White Castle food kiosks

September 16, 2026

Murphy USA plans to introduce automated White Castle food kiosks at select larger-format convenience stores, according to a CSP Daily News report, giving…

HotelKey reducing labor with self-check-in kiosk deployments

August 31, 2026

HotelKey is expanding deployment of its self-check-in kiosk as hotel operators look to automate routine front-desk functions and provide around-the-clock…

Quay stores deploy Eyebot automated vision testing

August 31, 2026

Eyewear retailer Quay has partnered with Eyebot to install automated vision-testing kiosks at select stores, according to a press release, allowing customers…

Prepango scores with FIFA souvenir vending machines

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Automated retailer Prepango used its airport network, remote monitoring and regional sales data to put official World Cup products within reach of travelers…

Dry cleaner deploys automated kiosk

July 31, 2026

California dry cleaner Four Seasons Cleaners has introduced a fully automated, 24/7 dry-cleaning drop-off and pickup kiosk at its State Street location in…

Self-service floral vending machine fills a gap

July 7, 2026

An Ohio florist has expanded her business beyond a traditional storefront by launching a floral vending machine at Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Hospital in…

Vending machine spotlights local artists

July 3, 2026

A miniature art vending machine inside Inkwell Booksellers in Minneapolis is helping artists reach new audiences while generating income from their work…

Automated retail drives FIFA merchandising windfall

June 30, 2026

The soccer governing body FIFA has dramatically expanded the retail reach of the 2026 World Cup by placing officially licensed merchandise in thousands of…

Tord Olav Dønnum on the future of autonomous foodservice

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Tord Olav Dønnum discusses how robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping foodservice operations and how autonomous kitchens can help…

Autonomous retail concept scales up at Circa Resort

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

VenHub Global Inc. and Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas are innovating on what may be the world's most advanced autonomous smart store installation.

VenHub ranks in top 10 on most innovative companies list

April 3, 2026

VenHub Global, Inc. has been named to Fast Company's 2026 "Most Innovative Companies," ranking, landing in the top 10 within the retail category.

Circa Resort & Casino teams with VenHub on autonomous smart store

March 24, 2026

Circa Resort & Casino, in downtown Las Vegas, is partnering with VenHub to bring an autonomous smart store to the resort.

Customers reject AI slop: Don’t let automated ads ruin your retail marketing strategy

by Mike Schrobo — CEO and Founder, Fraud Blocker

Automation will mature and case studies will improve but, until that point, we must ensure advertising is for humans by humans.

From vending machines to autonomous retail: The evolution of grab and go shopping

Customers want physical shopping to feel as quick and simple as online purchasing. The demand has led to the rise of autonomous retail — stores where customers…