IN the pre-coronavirus world, they were features of office kitchens and leisure centres that we gave scant thought to. Now, as retailers endeavour to find ways around lockdowns, vending machines are on the rise around the world, selling everything from milk to books.
Cola, chocolate bars and crisps are so yesterday? They were the main staple of vending machines as we knew them, of course, but the pandemic and ensuing restrictions has forced retailers and food and drink producers to think outside the box about how to connect with consumers.
Milk machines? A growing number of UK farms are now selling produce via vending machines, in a bid to reach consumers directly during lockdown life. One farm in Gloucestershire - Leonard Stanley Farm - sells not only free range milk, but it has a cheese vending machine, selling cheeses made on site. Open 24/7, the vending machine, taking cash and cards, sells Godsells Cheese, including cheddar, smoked and chilli cheeses.