Categories & Criteria

Awarded to a product or service that enhances vending or automated retail performance.

Judging criteria:

• Demonstrates measurable operational benefit (speed, efficiency, reliability)
• Improves the user or operator experience
• Evidence of customer satisfaction or proven results in real-world settings

Recognises brands delivering healthier choices without compromising taste.

Judging criteria:

• Meets recognised nutritional standards (e.g., reduced sugar, calories, fat)
• Strong consumer appeal and fit for vending/automated retail
• Demonstrable uptake or growth in demand

Celebrates engineering or design breakthroughs in vending equipment.

Judging criteria:

• Clear innovation that sets it apart from existing machines
• Improved efficiency, usability, or maintenance
• Evidence of performance — pilots, installs, customer feedback

For products introduced within the last 18 months.

Judging criteria:

• Strong commercial impact or sales traction
• Innovation in flavour, formulation, packaging or concept
• Market fit for vending and/or automated retail

For payment solutions that enhance purchasing in unattended retail.

Judging criteria:

• Convenience, speed, security and ease of integration
• Increased transaction success rates or customer satisfaction
• Supports multiple payment methods and/or cashless adoption

Rewards innovation that reduces environmental impact.

Judging criteria:

• Use of sustainable packaging, materials, or ingredient sourcing
• Demonstrable reduction in waste, energy or carbon footprint
• Transparent sustainability claims

Celebrates standout snack or confectionery products.

Judging criteria:

• Strong flavour and consumer appeal
• Impact on revenue or category growth
• Proven success in vending/automated retail channels

Recognises the best brand experience in automated hot beverage vending.

Judging criteria:

• Taste consistency and beverage quality
• Brand support, merchandising, and consumer engagement
• Demonstrated sales growth or machine adoption

For brands performing strongly in automated retail and vending.

Judging criteria:

• Market success and strong demand
• Packaging suitability for vending
• Product innovation (format, flavour, sustainability)

For water and flavoured water brands performing strongly in automated retail and vending.

Judging criteria:

• Market success and strong demand
• Packaging suitability for vending
• Product innovation (format, flavour, sustainability)

For unattended retail concepts beyond traditional vending.

Judging criteria:

• Innovative use of technology (vision systems, AI, smart retail)
• Enhanced customer experience and efficient operation
• Evidence of commercial performance

Celebrates fresh or chilled ready-to-eat products suitable for unattended retail.

Judging criteria:

• Quality, taste, and safety (shelf-life suitability)
• Operational ease — stocking, handling, waste reduction
• Strong consumer uptake

For all vending paper cups currently available on the UK market.

Judging criteria:

• Sustainability: Use of recycled/renewable materials, recyclability or compostability, and demonstrable waste or carbon reduction.
• Performance: Durability, heat retention, leak resistance, and overall drink quality in vending applications.
• Innovation: Design or manufacturing features that improve vending machine reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation.

Recognises a supplier who delivered exceptional value to the industry.

Judging criteria:

• Overall product/service excellence
• Customer support and reliability
• Demonstrated industry impact and positive partnerships

For exceptional customer care and problem resolution by operators or suppliers. Teams or individuals qualify for this award.

Judging criteria:

• Responsiveness and communication
• Real examples/testimonials of service excellence
• Measurable improvement to client relationships

Celebrates collaboration on a standout installation or initiative. Both operators or suppliers may enter.

Judging criteria:

• Clear project goals and results achieved
• Innovation in solution or execution
• Positive impact on the client/customer experience

For effective communication that improves relationships or engagement by operators or suppliers.

Judging criteria:

• Demonstrates a clear communication strategy using multiple channels (online and/or offline).
• Shows effective promotion of a product, service or message through platforms such as websites, social media, newsletters, trade shows or direct engagement.
• Provides evidence of positive impact — improved awareness, engagement, or customer response.

Recognises contributions to social impact or community causes by operators or suppliers.

Judging criteria:

• Demonstrable benefit to a community or charitable cause
• Employee involvement or company-led initiatives
• Authentic, ongoing commitment

For individuals achieving outstanding sales success, for either operators or suppliers.

Judging criteria:

• Sales performance against targets
• Relationship-building and consultative approach
• Customer testimonials or documented wins

For individuals who consistently go above and beyond.

Judging criteria:

• Demonstrated problem-solving and dedication
• Positive impact on colleagues or customers
• Inspiring personal contribution

Recognises leadership, influence and contribution by women in vending.

Judging criteria:

• Professional achievement and industry impact
• Advocacy, mentoring, or championing others
• Demonstrated leadership qualities

Recognises leadership, influence and contribution by women in vending.

Judging criteria:

• Professional achievement and industry impact
• Advocacy, mentoring, or championing others
• Demonstrated leadership qualities

Celebrates two individuals (from a single or separate businesses/organisations) whose teamwork delivers exceptional results.

Judging criteria:

• Evidence of effective collaboration and the impact on business performance
• Demonstrated problem-solving, shared responsibility and strong communication
• Evidence showing how the duo improves customer or operational outcomes

Recognises outstanding design in vending, micromarkets, autonomous retail units, or automated retail environments — where aesthetics, user experience and functionality come together to create a standout solution.

Judging criteria:

• Delivers strong visual impact while enhancing the overall customer experience.
• Demonstrates practical functionality — easy to use, refill, maintain and operate.
• Shows commercial benefit through improved engagement, sales or customer satisfaction.