In the middle of Poland’s rapidly shifting consumer landscape, something small and unassuming is spreading — smart vending machines. According to a new industry study from EAV, the smart vending machine market in Poland is projected to nearly double in value over the next eight years, growing from USD 75.36 million in 2024 to USD 146.70 million by 2032. That’s a 9.98% annual growth rate, and it’s not being driven by novelty.
Key Numbers at a Glance
A Growing Appetite for Convenience
The retail industry is leading the charge for convenience. In 2024 alone, retail vending machines are expected to generate USD 30.20 million in revenue, and that number is just the beginning. With a projected growth rate of 10.81%, retail will likely remain the largest and fastest-growing sector in this space.
Retailers love smart vending because it solves several problems at once. No staff needed. No set hours. Low overhead. And unlike traditional stores, these machines can live in places where renting a retail space wouldn’t make sense, like inside office buildings or outside gyms.
What Are People Buying?
When it comes to what’s inside the machines, salty and savory snacks continue to top the list, bringing in USD 23.79 million in 2024. Chips, crackers, nuts — quick, portable, and satisfying. But it’s the beverages segment that’s catching up fast, with a projected growth rate of 10.09% through 2032.
Not Just Snacks: Smart Machines Are Evolving
While food and drinks still dominate, vending machines are no longer limited to snacks. The category is expanding. Retail vending machines the ones you see selling electronics, cosmetics, hygiene products, and even phone chargers are the biggest money-makers, generating USD 39.86 million in 2024.
But another type is growing faster than expected: Self-service ATMs. These aren’t bank-owned terminals. They’re often independent machines offering quick, tech-enabled services — bill payments, mobile top-ups, small cash withdrawals. With a growth rate of 9.75%, they’re a signal that vending isn’t just for products anymore. It’s also becoming a platform for simple financial services.
From Coins to Taps: Cashless Is Now the Norm
Cashless systems are the largest and fastest-growing technology segment, with USD 48.58 million in revenue expected in 2024 and a 10.26% growth rate. For a country that’s been steadily moving toward a cashless society, this isn’t surprising. For many younger consumers, vending machines that don’t support contactless payment might as well not exist.
A Market That’s Still Young
Despite the impressive numbers, Poland’s smart vending machine market is still relatively young. Much of the country’s existing vending infrastructure is old-school — machines that only take coins, offer limited product choices, and sit idle in outdated locations.
The appeal of vending machines in Poland is simple: they’re fast, predictable, and increasingly personalized. And as people grow more comfortable with machine-led transactions, especially in a post-pandemic world where contactless service is preferred, the ceiling for this market keeps rising.
