The boom in non-food vending machines: innovation and trends in Italy

Discover how vending machines are revolutionising retail: from cosmetics to trolleys, here are the new trends in non-food vending in Italy.

Not just snacks and drinks: Italian vending machines are rapidly evolving, offering an increasingly wide range of non-food products. From credit cards to cosmetics, collectible games to travel trolleys, non-food vending is conquering airports, shopping centres and stations.

A recent survey conducted by CONFIDA (Italy’s vending industry association) revealed that in 2024, approximately 2.2 million non-food items were purchased from over 830,000 vending machines installed throughout Italy. This impressive figure demonstrates the growing interest in practical, automated purchasing solutions available 24/7.

What can you buy from non-food vending machines?

The most unusual items available from vending machines highlighted by CONFIDA include:

• Ferrari models at strategic locations in Milan
• LEGO bricks in Florence and Pisa airports
• Lingerie and beauty products in areas with high footfall
• Prepaid credit cards and tech accessories

These new forms of distribution respond to increasingly dynamic, urban lifestyles, targeting a public accustomed to an immediate shopping experience.

Brands choose vending to wow consumers

Numerous luxury, fashion and technology brands are integrating the automated channel into their marketing strategies. Some notable examples:

• Disposable cameras distributed at experiential events
• T-shirts and perfumes available to buy from vending machines installed in Covent Garden and Paris
• Boutique vending machines that act as brand awareness touchpoints

As Massimo Trapletti, president of CONFIDA, points out:
“Italian-made vending machine technology is extremely versatile: they can now dispense all kinds of products, making them an innovative tool for improving the customer experience.”

Venditalia 2026: focus on innovation in vending

Venditalia, the leading international show dedicated to vending, will be held at the Rimini Expo Centre from 6 to 8 May 2026, exploring themes such as:

• The development of non-food vending
• New technological solutions for retail automation
• Integration of physical and digital experiences

The event is an unmissable opportunity to discover the latest trends in vending and its most creative applications. Find out all the latest news from Venditalia 2026 and get ready to explore the future of automatic distribution.

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