As the vending and water dispenser sectors prepare for 2026, leading trade bodies and analysts share their expectations for the year ahead – from the rise of smart, connected systems to growing sustainability and regulatory demands.

Representatives from the Automatic Vending Association (AVA), the European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA), the Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA) and Zenith Global offer their insights into how technology, consumer behaviour and legislation will shape the future of automated retail and hydration.

A more connected, intelligent vending landscape – AVA

“As we look ahead to 2026, the UK vending and automated retail sector is entering one of its most transformative periods yet,” said David Llewellyn, CEO of AVA. “What was once considered a purely convenience-driven service has evolved into a sophisticated, data-enabled retail channel that responds directly to how and where people work, travel and socialise.”

Llewellyn highlighted digitalisation, diversification and sustainability as the key themes shaping 2026. Operators are moving beyond coffee and snacks into fresh food, functional products, micro markets and multi-channel formats.

Packaging legislation and environmental targets are also driving innovation. “Smart vending technologies can integrate reverse-vending functions, track recycling data in real time and even reward sustainable choices,” he noted. “Operators who combine hygiene, reliability and transparency while offering modern, engaging interactions will lead in this new era of expectations.”

Technology remains central to the industry’s transformation. From cashless and contactless payment systems to real-time analytics and predictive maintenance, data-led insights are improving efficiency and customer experience. “AI and automation are becoming valuable allies,” said Llewellyn. “The greatest opportunity lies in using technology to augment, not replace, human expertise.”

European vending’s evolution and the Smartlink debut – EVA

The European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA) predicts that premium coffee, smart fridges, and unattended retail will continue to expand across Europe in 2026.

“The key drivers and trends in vending will be similar to the last few years, including premium coffee and the ever-increasing roll-out of unattended retail solutions by more operators,” said David Irvine, communication and public affairs manager at EVA.

The association also pointed to the upcoming launch of its new ‘Smartlink’ communication specification, which will enable seamless connectivity between machines, payment devices and back-office systems. “The new functionality that Smartlink will bring to the industry will enable significant advances for vending businesses in the upcoming years,” Irvine added.

Contactless payments now cover around 85% of Europe’s pay-vend machines, and the association expects this to rise further. Meanwhile, sustainability and regulation remain key forces. Irvine cited new EU Sustainable Public Procurement criteria for vending machines – recommending a number of requirements public institutions can use for tenders of vending machines – and upcoming energy labelling and ecodesign rules as examples of increasing environmental scrutiny.

“2026 will also see the EU Commission make its policy proposal for updated energy labelling and ecodesign requirements for refrigerated vending machines,” Irvine highlighted. “We must ensure all players adapt to these rules and maintain a level playing field for everyone.”

Hygiene, connectivity and evidence-led sustainability – WHA

Speaking on behalf of the UK’s Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA), the organisation said 2026 will bring further growth in refill-first culture and data-enabled service.

WHA identified “hygiene-by-design, modularity and serviceability that extend product life and reduce downtime” as core technology priorities. “Purposeful connectivity for usage-based filter changes, hygiene scheduling and audit-ready service records” will also define the market, the association said.

In consumer behaviour, WHA highlighted rising expectations for visible cleanliness, provenance and responsive service. “Users expect reliable, visibly clean dispense points, simple hygiene guidance and quick call-outs,” the organisation added.

Sustainability, it noted, must be evidenced rather than claimed. “Evidence over claims: kWh per litre, avoided call-outs, consumable lifecycles, refurbishment options,” WHA stated, adding that “refurbish/reuse by design” will increasingly guide product development.

While smart and connective technologies like AI and IoT will be important, the association cautioned that “trained engineers, materials safety and documented procedures remain the foundation”.

Data, trust and transparency – Zenith Global

For Zenith Global, 2026 will be marked by continued momentum in smart connectivity, predictive maintenance and transparent sustainability reporting across the water-dispense sector.

“Smart connectivity has become foundational to the modern water-dispensing sector,” said Akos Petri, managing director of Zenith Global Commercial. “AI and IoT are not futuristic extras; they are now embedded into the core value proposition.”

According to Zenith’s database, point-of-use systems continue to gain ground, but bottled dispensers remain vital in remote or off-grid environments. Petri emphasised that sustainability is now “a design principle, not a marketing message,” with circular design, refurbishing schemes and filter take-back programmes becoming standard.

However, he noted that cost remains a major challenge. “Smart, connected systems with premium features and services bundles often carry a higher upfront cost compared to traditional bottled units. This can slow adoption, especially among smaller businesses or budget-constrained institutions,” Petri said.

As connected technologies proliferate, cybersecurity, compliance and transparency will also be key issues. “Clients now demand evidence – impact metrics, third-party certifications and lifecycle analyses,” he concluded.