The coffee vending machine market is dominated by major beverage and coffee companies, including foreign firms. (source: Sme - Marko Erd)
Coffee vending machines are a common sight in Slovakia – and in some places, the only option if you are waiting at a bus station or for a doctor’s appointment. They first appeared in the early 1990s, reportedly inspired by similar machines in Italy.
For a long time, the business was fragmented among dozens of small operators. Gradually, however, it has been consolidating into the hands of a few major players. The latest to enter the market is the Czech company Kofola.
So who now controls the industry, where are the profits made, and what trends are shaping the future of coffee vending?
A market ruled by giants
There are currently several thousand coffee vending machines in operation across Slovakia. Pinning down an exact number is difficult, as many operators are reluctant to share data. Most machines also offer cold drinks and snacks – but coffee remains king.
“We also operate vending machines that dispense drinks like Red Bull, but coffee machines are by far the most popular,” says Robert Tkáč, managing director of Dallmayr.
