Automation, frictionless retail and sustainability emerged as defining themes at Venditalia 2026, as the vending and unattended retail sectors gathered in Rimini, Italy, to showcase the technologies shaping the future of consumer convenience.

Held at Rimini Expo Centre from 6-8 May, the exhibition marked the event’s first edition in Rimini following a strategic partnership between CONFIDA – the Italian Vending Association – and Italian Exhibition Group. Spanning 30,000 square metres across eight halls, the trade show welcomed more than 300 exhibitors and reflected the sector’s increasingly international outlook, with foreign exhibitors accounting for a record share of participants.

The exhibition also highlighted the scale and continued growth of the European vending sector, which generated €26.4 billion in revenue in 2024, with 4.5 million installed machines and 34.5 billion products sold across the region. Against this backdrop, exhibitors focused heavily on automation, digitalisation and connected retail technologies as operators look to modernise vending experiences and adapt to changing consumer expectations.

Bringing together manufacturers, operators, product suppliers and technology providers from across the vending ecosystem, the event offered insight into how the sector is evolving in response to growing demand for convenience-led, data-driven and increasingly cashless retail experiences. New consumption models were also a key focus, with vending solutions continuing to expand beyond traditional locations into spaces such as coworking hubs, hospitality environments and retail settings.

Smart retail and AI take centre stage

AI and smart retail technology emerged among the defining themes of this year’s edition, reflecting what organisers described as a wider "digital revolution" taking place across the vending industry. From machine connectivity and remote management to cashless payment integration and AI-driven consumer experiences, exhibitors demonstrated how technology is reshaping both operational efficiency and end-user interaction.

Ernesto Piloni, CEO of Venditalia, highlighted connectivity, AI and digital payments as key drivers behind the sector’s evolution, noting the growing role of remote machine management, big data analysis and cashless technologies in modern vending environments. He also pointed to the increasing expansion of vending solutions beyond traditional settings, with opportunities emerging across sectors including retail and hospitality.

Several companies showcased vending machines and smart fridges capable of automatically recognising selected products through integrated camera systems, allowing consumers to simply pick up items and complete purchases with minimal friction. The technology mirrors the broader retail sector’s continued shift toward cashierless shopping and automated retail environments.

365 Retail Markets showcased this technology through its PicoCooler range, available in ambient, chilled and freezer formats. The solution is designed to create an unattended grab-and-go retail experience using automatic product recognition technology.

Similarly, Televend presented a range of smart vending machines alongside payment and telemetry systems that can either be integrated into new machines or retrofitted onto existing equipment. The company’s presence reflected growing interest in connected vending infrastructure capable of offering operators improved machine monitoring, inventory management and consumer insights.

Connectivity also featured prominently throughout the show, particularly with the introduction of SmartLink, a new communication protocol promoted by the European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA). Designed to improve communication between vending machines, payment systems and management software, the protocol aims to support a more integrated and future-ready vending ecosystem.

Sustainability and seamless payments remain key focus areas

Water dispensing and filtration solutions also featured heavily across the exhibition floor. Blupura displayed several products, including the latest generation of its Ecochic range, the Blutron Osmo reverse osmosis system and Rebel Box, an undercounter dispensing solution.

The company also highlighted Blujuice, a system combining water and concentrated syrup dispensing, now equipped with post-mix nozzle technology and an auto-flushing hygiene system.

Sustainability remained a key focus throughout the event, with Microfilter Europe presenting its range of recyclable water filters for coffee machines and point-of-use dispensers.

Coffee also maintained a strong presence throughout the event, underlining its importance as a core category within vending and convenience retail. Several manufacturers showcased new blends and brewing equipment aimed at elevating beverage quality and consumer experience. Lavazza invited visitors on a sensory journey inspired by different Italian cities through its latest coffee blend range.

Meanwhile, payment technologies took centre stage, with companies including Nayax, Payter and Worldline demonstrating solutions designed to simplify and streamline the payment experience for consumers. Their presence reflected the continued shift toward fully cashless and digitally connected vending environments, where speed, convenience and integration with mobile payment platforms are becoming increasingly essential.

Overall, Venditalia 2026 reflected the growing convergence of AI, automation, sustainability and frictionless payment systems across the vending and unattended retail industries, as companies continue to develop more connected and consumer-friendly solutions.

The next edition of Venditalia will return to Rimini Expo Centre from 10-12 May 2027.

Top image: © 2026 Vending Expo │ Venditalia