Vending machine market analysis in Poland
Vending machines are free-standing sales machines placed in public spaces such as railway stations, universities, office buildings, public offices and schools. They are the simplest form of buying and selling. Our vending machine market analysis shows that although vending is not a new sector in Poland, it is still developing.
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How many vending machines are there in Poland?
More than 50,000 vending machines operate in Poland, or 1 machine per approx. 950 people, and their number has almost doubled over the last two years.
Self-service machines arrived in Poland in 1995, but at that time they were far less popular than they are today. People now lead faster lives and have less time during the day. Vending machines are therefore the quickest solution when we want to eat a meal during a break at work or while changing from one means of transport to another.
According to industry experts, the vending machine market in Poland is highly fragmented. More than 50,000 vending machines operate in Poland. Over the last two years their number has almost doubled. Compared with other countries, Poland performs very poorly: in Western Europe there are approx. 6–11 machines per 1,000 inhabitants. In Japan, there is 1 machine for every 20 people. In Poland the figure is well below average, at 1 machine per approx. 950 people.
According to Eurostat data, Poland imports more vending machines than it exports. In 2021 Polish exports were worth EUR 8.5 million (approx. 5,000 machines), and imports more than EUR 10 million (5,500 machines). Poland buys mainly from Italy (3,160 machines) and China (1,006 machines), and much less from Germany (306 machines), the UK (73) and Switzerland (44 machines).
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of vending machines in Poland | more than 50,000 |
| Machine density in Poland | 1 machine per approx. 950 people |
| Machine density in Western Europe | approx. 6–11 machines per 1,000 inhabitants |
| Machine density in Japan | 1 machine for every 20 people |
| Vending machine exports from Poland, 2021 | EUR 8.5 million (approx. 5,000 machines) |
| Vending machine imports to Poland, 2021 | more than EUR 10 million (5,500 machines) |
Show chart data as a table
| Country | Number of machines imported |
|---|---|
| Italy | 3,160 |
| China | 1,006 |
| Germany | 306 |
Every year, Poles spend approx. EUR 20 million on grocery items such as drinks in cans, bottles and cartons. They spend more, EUR 23 million, on hot drinks such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate. By comparison, the French spend approx. EUR 185 million on cold drinks from machines. According to Nielsen data, as many as 59% of Poles use such machines once a month or more often, and a quarter do so at least once a week.
02
How much do Poles spend on vending machine purchases?
Every year, Poles spend approx. EUR 20 million on drinks in cans, bottles and cartons and EUR 23 million on hot drinks such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Every year, Poles spend approx. EUR 20 million on grocery items such as drinks in cans, bottles and cartons. They spend more, EUR 23 million, on hot drinks such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate. By comparison, the French spend approx. EUR 185 million on cold drinks from machines. According to Nielsen data, as many as 59% of Poles use such machines once a month or more often, and a quarter do so at least once a week.
| Category | Annual spending (EUR million) |
|---|---|
| Poland – drinks in cans, bottles and cartons | approx. 20 |
| Poland – hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) | 23 |
| France – cold drinks from machines | approx. 185 |
03
How many companies operate vending machines in Poland?
According to the e-book "Czas na biznes" (Time for business), there are approx. 400 companies in Poland that sell through vending machines. Companies with a few to a dozen or so machines hold the largest share (80% of the market). The rest of the market belongs to operators with several dozen to several hundred machines in many locations (20%).
| Operator group | Market share |
|---|---|
| Companies with a few to a dozen or so machines | 80% |
| Operators with several dozen to several hundred machines | 20% |
In smaller towns, the main competition for self-service machines comes from grocery shops. In larger cities, on the other hand, competitors include bars, snack bars and grocery shops.
According to Nielsen research, the strategic locations for vending machines are public transport stops, public offices and shopping centres.
04
Which food market trend favours vending machines?
Vending machines fit in with the strong convenience trend in the food and food packaging market. Convenience food means single-use, single-portion products intended to be eaten on the go. Their greatest advantage is that they can be opened with one hand. The trend is driven by growing urbanisation and changing family structures and lifestyles. Vending machines are therefore an ideal response to the needs of a busy society.
Author: Dominika Będkowska
Sources:
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Source: MarketHub, "Vending machine market analysis in Poland", markethub.pl, 02.2022