Vending Machine Operators NAICS 445132

Jul 23, 2025 - Employment, Labor Costs Down

• Employment by convenience retailers and vending machine operators fell 1.2% in April 2025 compared to the previous year, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the past decade, industry employment fell 1.5%, lower than the 13.6% growth in the overall private employment. Wages at convenience retailers and vending machine operators fell 4.3% in April 2025 year over year, reaching $16.29 an hour. A new report on the convenience services industry shows the industry generates $40 billion in annual economic impact in the US, as well as supporting 165,300 jobs with $11.3 billion in wages paid, according to the Foundation of the National Automatic Merchandising Association. The report includes traditional vending, unattended retail markets, office coffee, and pantry services as part of the convenience services industry.
• The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index increased slightly in July 2025, rising to 61.8 in preliminary July data from 60.7 in June, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. The consumer sentiment index hit a recent peak in December of 74, buoyed following the presidential election, but dropped to 52.2 in April 2025 as consumers expressed uncertainty about tariff effects and rising inflation. In July, respondents’ inflation expectations for the coming year were an anticipated price increase of 4.4%, which was tracking higher than in January, when respondents expected prices to grow by 3.9%. However, July’s inflation expectation results were lower than June’s, when respondents expected a 5% price increase for the coming year. The index serves as a predictor of consumer spending as it indicates consumers’ perception of their financial prospects and the broader economy.

• Sales for the US vending machine operators industry are projected to grow at a 2.8% CAGR from 2025 to 2029, slower than the overall economy's projected growth, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The retail and wholesale sectors are driven by consumer spending, along with expenditure by businesses and government. Consumer sentiment is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the sector. The forecast said retail spending could soften with the growth of spending on consumer services. A factor that may limit consumer spending is higher tariffs on consumer goods. Lower inflation supports a moderate increase of real disposable income by about 2% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. Real income could suffer if prices rise due to tariff implementation.
• Vending machines carrying pop culture collectible Labubu dolls operated by Chinese retailer Pop Mart have been creating crowds in Florida and Maryland, according to Vending Times. Pop Mart launched the vending machines at malls selling the toys in “blind boxes” where consumers don’t know which dolls they’ll get. The “blind boxes” often result in unboxing videos on social media channels from customers who share their surprise as they unbox the dolls. Local news reported long lines at the vending machines to purchase the dolls, which are popular among Gen Z and other collectors. According to Time Magazine, Pop Mart operates 530 retail stores globally in addition to 2,490 vending machines, also called roboshops.