The UK’s vending, coffee services and automated retail industry generated £3.78 billion in revenue in 2025, according to the AVA’s 2025 Census & Market Report. That is up 3.3% on 2024 and 5% above the pre-Covid 2019 baseline, showing that the sector has not only recovered but is now outperforming wider UK economic growth.
Traditional vending and Office Coffee Service together delivered £3.13 billion in revenue, while product revenue rose 6.8% to £2.28 billion, nearly 10% above pre-pandemic levels. Category growth was led by cold drinks, up 15.4%, followed by food at 12.2%, snacks at 5.7% and hot beverages at 4.1%. Operators reported average revenue growth of 7% in 2025, and 90% expect the market to grow again in 2026.
Standalone smart fridges were the fastest-growing format, rising by around 50% in a year to 2,850 units, driven by demand for flexible food and drink options in hybrid workplaces. Micro-markets also grew to 785 installations. Cashless technology is now fitted to 95% of pay-vend machines, with 84% of transactions on enabled machines made without cash. Mobile payments account for 62% of cashless purchases, up from 8% in 2017, and cashless users now spend twice as much per transaction as coin users.
Premiumisation also continues to lift revenues. Coffee-to-Go generated £645 million from 33,200 machines, with an average selling price of £2.89 compared with £0.56 for a traditional vending hot drink. More than 40% of new tabletop machines now include fresh milk systems for barista-style drinks.
The report also highlights progress on health and sustainability, with 80% of cold drinks now meeting low-sugar standards and plastic cups almost eliminated.
David Llewellyn, Chief Executive of the AVA, said the findings show an industry transformed by technology, quality and convenience, while warning that proposed legislation on energy drinks could significantly damage operator revenues despite existing voluntary safeguards.
