# Social Vending Machines Pepsi's New Vending Machines Encourage Sharing By Michael Hines | Published 2011-05-01 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pepsi-social-vending-machine References: [dvice](http://dvice.com/archives/2011/04/pepsis-social-v.php) & [reuters](http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/27/us-pepsico-idUSTRE73Q77T20110427) [Pepsi](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pepsi-smart-can) is attempting to make buying a soda more social with its new social vending machines. The Pepsi social vending machines are designed to let you share a drink with a friend or with a complete stranger through the magic of technology. The Pepsi social vending machines will give you the option to gift a [soda to a friend](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pepsi-relationsips). You can attach a text or video message along with your gift, which will then be delivered via a code that can be redeemed at other social vending machines. The new vending machines also lets you perform "random acts of refreshment," defined as buying an extra soda so that the next person who uses the machine won't have to pay. Celebrate good times. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 26% | Activity: 69% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Social Vending Machines:** Introducing a new way for people to connect and share drinks through technology. - **Gifting Vending Machines:** Revolutionizing the vending machine industry by introducing a new gifting feature to boost sales. - **Random Acts of Kindness:** Encouraging customers to engage in random acts of kindness by allowing them to purchase an extra drink for others to enjoy. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Beverage Industry:** Pepsi's social vending machines will disrupt the beverage industry by creating a new social aspect to buying a drink. - **Vending Machine Industry:** Social vending machines will introduce a new vending machine experience that will set a new standard for the industry. - **Marketing Industry:** The ability to gift a drink with a customized message presents many opportunities for marketing campaigns to connect with customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Heat-Sensitive Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heat-sensitive-vending-machine.md) - [Cheeky Food-Focused Soda Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/share-a-pepsi.md) - [Smart Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-vending-machines.md) - [Product Refill Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/refillable-vending-machines.md) - [Pop-Up Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-up-vending-machine.md) - [Smart Soda Dispenser Trials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-compact-freestyle-machine.md) - [Refillable Retail Soda Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soda-refill-machine.md) - [LED Can Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pepsi-smart-can.md) - [AI-Integrated Soda Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pepsi-the-sweetest-campaign.md)