As Chinese consumers become more accustomed to convenience shopping, the local market for vending machines is expected to double in the next three years, said Martijn van den Hazenkamp, chairman and CEO of Europe-based International Vending Alliance GmbH (IVA).
IVA, through its local partners, operates vending machines in more than 100 countries.
Up to 40,000 machines are in use in China, which is just starting to adopt this style of vending, although the figures vary depending on the classification of products, said Hazenkamp.
IVA is operating about 5,000 machines in Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou.
Eying the growth potential, Maas International, one of the founders of IVA, which operates and produces Spengler brand vending machines, moved its major research and development function to Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, in 2005. It plans to move the production line in Germany to the southern city next year.
