Planet Vending & Automated Retail

09/01/2026

Happy New Year! Next… on to Vendex Midlands

No sooner have we shaken off the tinsel, quietly hidden the bathroom scales and convinced ourselves January has finally started, than we’re straight back talking about Vendex Midlands 2026. Applications are now open for our ever-popular Spotlight on Vendex — and if last year taught us anything, it’s that leaving it late is not a great strategy. The response was so strong in 2025 that we ended up running…...

No sooner have we shaken off the tinsel, quietly hidden the bathroom scales and convinced ourselves January has finally started, than we’re straight back

22/12/2025

15/12/2025

‘That’s another item ticked off the bucket list!’ says ARN’s Gordon Johnston

ARN : All the goss, from Gordon Hello again! No prizes for guessing what I’m talking about: I’d like to thank NIVO for the amazing football event they organised for members - The Battle of the Vending Industry - which took place at WemBerLey. Ash Ellis – Carabao’s man in vending – also played a big part in making it happen so thanks to him....

ARN : All the goss, from Gordon Hello again! No prizes for guessing what I’m talking about: I’d like to thank NIVO for the amazing football event they

10/12/2025

Mars – Kellanova $36b Mega Deal Gets European Commission Thumbs-Up

Mars' acquisition of Kellanova, a $36 billion transaction, has received the definite approval of the The European Commission in a deal that marks one of the largest integrations in the snacks and packaged food sector. The Antitrust approval comes after months of analysis to assess the transaction's impact on competition, in a market characterised by highly recognized brands and consolidated consumer dynamics....

Mars' acquisition of Kellanova, a $36 billion transaction, has received the definite approval of the The European Commission in a deal that marks one of

28/11/2025

Harry Brompton’s Iced Teas at Vendex: Real Refreshment with a Proper Brewed Twist

Harry Brompton's Iced Teas Review: By Ian Maguire, Planet Vending’s Roving Reporter (and Technical Director) There’s something about a good iced tea that feels like a proper reset – light, crisp, and not trying too hard. So when I got the chance to try Harry Brompton’s Iced Teas for the first time at Vendex, I was curious. I’ve had my fair share of iced teas over the years, and quite a few end up being more sugar than substance....

Harry Brompton's Iced Teas Review: By Ian Maguire, Planet Vending’s Roving Reporter (and Technical Director) There’s something about a good iced tea that

28/11/2025

GetBuzzing at Vendex: Flapjack Fuel That Tastes Like a Treat

GetBuzzing Review: By Ian Maguire, Planet Vending’s Roving Reporter (and Technical Director) Now and again, you try a product that takes you completely by surprise. That was me at Vendex, standing at the GetBuzzing stand with an oat bar in one hand and a slightly raised eyebrow – because let’s be honest, flapjacks don’t always get the pulse racing…...

GetBuzzing Review: By Ian Maguire, Planet Vending’s Roving Reporter (and Technical Director) Now and again, you try a product that takes you completely by

28/11/2025

Boundless at Vendex: Gut-Friendly Snacking That Tastes as Good as It Feels

Boundless Review: By Ian Maguire, Planet Vending’s Roving Reporter (and Technical Director) I’ll admit it – when I spotted the Boundless stand at Vendex, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Their strapline, “Gut Happy Snacking,” intrigued me, but I wondered whether these health-conscious bites would actually taste as good as they looked. A few samples later, I had my answer – …...

Boundless Review: By Ian Maguire, Planet Vending’s Roving Reporter (and Technical Director) I’ll admit it – when I spotted the Boundless stand at Vendex,

27/11/2025

The AVA Welcomes Scott Sherlock as Public Affairs Manager

The AVA has announced the appointment of Scott Sherlock as its new Public Affairs Manager. Scott will bring extensive experience from Westminster and major corporate environments to the organisation. Scott joins the AVA following a time with Japan To***co International (JTI), where he played a key role in shaping the company’s public affairs strategy. Working at the heart of JTI’s Corporate Affairs Department, he led stakeholder engagement on priority issues including taxation, public health, product regulation and legislation....

Scott will bring extensive experience from Westminster and major corporate environments to the organisation.

27/11/2025

Radnor Hills designates 2026 as ‘the year of NPD’.

Radnor Hills, the Soft drinks manufacturer, has unveiled its second new product in a month with Radnor Hydrate. Radnor Hydrate is clean and simple, a refreshing 60% tropical juice and 40% natural spring water. It follows last week’s launch of Radnor Spring, a low-calorie sparkling spring water in four refreshing and fruity flavours. The Radnor Hydrate 250ml Tetra Pak juice drink is a celebration of simplicity for healthy hydration....

Radnor Hills, the Soft drinks manufacturer, has unveiled Radnor Hydrate.

21/11/2025

Vendex North 25 Review: NOMO: Creamy, Dreamy Chocolate – Without the Allergens

Vendex North 25 review: By Ian Maguire, Planet Vending’s Roving Reporter (and Technical Director) I’ll be honest – when I see “free-from” on a chocolate bar, I often brace myself for a compromise. You know the sort: a bit grainy, not quite sweet enough, or just missing that indulgent edge. But NOMO? That’s a different story altogether. I tried their chocolate for the first time at…...

Vendex North 25 review: By Ian Maguire, Planet Vending’s Roving Reporter (and Technical Director) I’ll be honest – when I see “free-from” on a chocolate

21/11/2025

Vendex North 25 – A must attend event

Vendex North 25: By Yvonne Reynolds-Young, Managing Director and Publisher. Planet Vending. Another November Vendex is over and I have to say, it was a cracker again. Despite there being an underlying feeling of unease for a number of businesses due to in house changes, mergers and acquisitions the overriding opinion is one of business as usual. There was a feeling of, ok, it's a bit tough but deep breaths and let's get on with it....

Vendex North 25: By Yvonne Reynolds-Young, Managing Director and Publisher. Planet Vending. Another November Vendex is over and I have to say, it was a

21/11/2025

The AVA Welcomes Paul Fitzjohn as its new Communications & Events Manager

The AVA has announced the appointment of Paul Fitzjohn as its new Communications Lead. Paul is bringing more than 15 years of high-level experience across retail, FMCG, financial services and global corporate environments to the organisation Paul joins the AVA following a successful contract with Awaze, where he overhauled the company’s multi-brand communications strategy, introduced AI Champions and strengthened leadership visibility across its Pan-European operation....

The AVA has announced the appointment of Paul Fitzjohn as its new Communications Lead. Paul is bringing more than 15 years of high-level experience across