According to Berg Insight, currently, approximately 28 percent of the world's 15 million vending machines are connected, and it is anticipated to reach 8.9 million units by 2024. Consumers are increasingly favoring the convenience, security, and operational efficiency offered by digital payment methods, making these connected vending machines a strategic response to evolving preferences.
In 2019, the global count of connected vending machines was estimated at 4.2 million units, with North America leading the way at approximately 2.0 million, while Europe and the Rest of the World each accounted for 1.1 million connected machines. Beyond North America and Europe, significant numbers of connected vending machines are primarily concentrated in Japan, China, and Australia. The high relevance of IoT in vending machines is underscored by 1NCE's expanding customer base within this sector and the broader retail industry.