Venditalia Voices: trends and outlook of coffee vending with Covim

The second feature of Venditalia Voices, the series that gives a voice to the companies shaping Venditalia 2026 and highlights the key topics redefining the world of automatic distribution.

Claudio Picci, CEO of Covim, shares the company’s vision on the coffee vending market and evolving consumer preferences, offering a direct insight into quality, reliability, and innovation in the sector.

How do you assess the current performance of the coffee market in the vending channel, and which signals do you consider most significant at this stage?

The coffee market in vending and OCS is going through a phase of gradual rebalancing after two particularly challenging years, marked by rising raw material costs and strong price pressure. In 2025, we are seeing signs of greater stability, together with a renewed focus on product quality.

In the vending channel, coffee remains the main market driver, accounting for around 60% of total consumption. At the same time, demand is growing for reliable solutions, consistent quality standards, certifications and increasingly controlled supply chains. In this context, Covim continues to invest in the vending channel, focusing on dedicated blends and systems designed to ensure consistency of the blend in the cup, a crucial factor for operators.

How are consumer preferences evolving in vending, and which trend do you consider most relevant today in this segment?

In vending and OCS, consumer preferences are evolving towards greater awareness. Alongside the traditional focus on price, there is growing sensitivity to product quality, clarity of the offer and the reliability of the solutions provided.

The most relevant trend is a gradual segmentation of consumption. While traditional espresso remains central, interest is increasing in certified blends, single-origin coffees and complementary beverages that can enhance the overall consumption experience. In this scenario, assortment variety and quality consistency become strategic elements for operators, who are expected to meet the expectations of an increasingly informed and demanding audience.

How important is Venditalia for you as an event dedicated to the vending industry, and what are your expectations for the 2026 edition?

Venditalia has always been an essential reference point for Covim within the automatic distribution sector. We have believed in the exhibition from the very beginning, taking part in every edition since the first historic event held in Genoa in 1998. Our continuous presence, with consistently large stands, reflects a strong and long-term investment in the vending channel.

For the 2026 edition, we expect Venditalia to be increasingly international and strongly focused on innovation, able to highlight the strategic role of vending and coffee in today’s evolving consumption contexts. For Covim, it will be an opportunity to further strengthen dialogue with operators, present dedicated solutions and reaffirm our long-term commitment to supporting the evolution of the sector.

Venditalia 2026 will take place from May 6 to 8 at Rimini Expo Centre, serving as the reference event for the vending and automatic distribution industry and an unmissable opportunity to discover the latest market trends and innovations.

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