If you’re flying to Las Vegas for Licensing Expo, look out for these toy vending machines in the airports. In anticipation of the big annual event, we’re rolling out our licensing and consumer products features from Kidscreen’s Q2 2026 magazine issue. To read the full issue, click here.

As shelf space continues to tighten, automated retail machines are emerging as a viable direct-to-consumer channel that captures demand wherever it appears, sidestepping the constraints of traditional retail.

Equipped with touchscreens, strong branding and precision dispensing systems, a new generation of machines is helping brands establish a presence in high-traffic locations like airports and malls without the overhead of physical stores. By combining visibility, accessibility and efficiency, they’re fueling growth—Research and Markets estimates that the global vending machine market will reach roughly US$104 billion by 2033, up from US$72 billion in 2024.

For IP owners, the appeal starts with access. These machines offer a workaround for one of retail’s biggest constraints—limited shelf space—while also helping retailers reduce theft and tampering on high-demand collectibles like Pokémon cards.

But the opportunity goes deeper than simple convenience. With every transaction happening through a connected interface—tracking what’s purchased, when and in which location—automated retail generates a constant stream of real-time sales data. This gives brands a clear view into product performance, location-based demand and shifting purchase patterns throughout the day.

Basically, each machine functions as both a point of sale and a live test environment, allowing assortments and restocking strategies to be adjusted quickly. This visibility is turning vending from a convenience play into a more deliberate retail lever.

It’s a model that allows companies to establish a presence without the traditional costs and complexity of brick-and-mortar retail, while still generating incremental, reliable returns, says Prepango CEO Marcus Modiano. The company’s machines are already operating in airports, malls, universities and hospitals—turning previously unmonetized, high-traffic spaces into retail opportunities.

The best fit for this channel are brands with strong recognition and gifting appeal, paired with products that are simple for machines to dispense, Modiano adds. Product can be placed into machines within days, giving IP owners near-immediate access to consumers.

This agility is especially valuable in a market driven by spikes in attention. “For example, a Stranger Things release saw a sharp surge tied to new content—reinforcing the importance of real-time data, agile replenishment and carefully curated assortments,” says Michael Kwan, founder and CEO of YuMe Toys.

It’s not surprising that companies like Prepango and YuMe are in the market. Vending machines typically cost between US$3,000 and US$10,000 to deploy, depending on their size and technological advancement. Returns tend to be incremental, but add up over time, with some reports noting monthly revenue between US$200 and US$3,000 depending on location and product mix.

At scale, those numbers become compelling. Some of YuMe’s machines sell as many as 25 units per day, says Kwan, with ROI achievable within a few months. With these sales figures behind it, the company has pitched its machines to more than 100 retail partners globally over the past 15 months.

Vending also offers flexibility to choose what works best for your bottom line. Brands can manage machines directly or work with partners on a full-service basis, trading margin for ease and scalability.

“Regardless of the model, the business is designed for a strong ROI,” says Kwan. “The focus is on creating a premium, income-generating experience with minimal operational burden, allowing partners to scale efficiently, while the technology handles the heavy lifting.”

For IP owners, automated retail machines also offer a low-risk way to experiment. Co-branding partnerships, pilot programs and custom assortments make it possible to test this channel before committing more significant resources. And while collectors and kidults have driven early momentum, the longer-term opportunity extends beyond those market segments.

For now, vending machines aren’t replacing traditional retail—but they are carving out a distinct role within it. In high-traffic, high-pressure moments, they offer something few other channels can: the ability to meet demand instantly, with minimal friction, exactly when and where it appears.

In a retail reality defined by speed and access, this kind of precision may prove increasingly valuable.

Image courtesy of YuMe Toys.