The Weird Seasonality of Vending Products

What changes with the seasons? The temperature and weather? Obviously. Our clothes? For sure. Even our fruits and vegetables have seasonality. It’s definitely an odd choice to buy mangos in the winter.

But did you know that vending products tend to change with the cycles of the seasons as well? You heard that right. As crazy as it sounds, we here at Snack Kingdom Vending notice the seasonality of vending products too. Some products sell better in the winter, and others in the summer. But what do these trends actually look like? And does this reflect a common underlying feel to each season?

Winter: A Time of Warmth

Winter is a time for rest, warmth, and holidays. The snow and cold weather settle in, and it is generally a season to slow down. As temperatures drop and daylight hours shorten, people naturally gravitate toward snacks that feel more filling and indulgent. Chocolate bars, baked goods, and heartier savoury snacks tend to see a noticeable increase in popularity. You also see people buying snacks that pair well with hot drinks, like cookies to pair with a hot chocolate.

Now speaking of drinks, we do see one well known pop can rise in popularity, and that would be Canada Dry, or ginger ale. You may be wondering why. Well let’s take a step back and see what the trend is during the winter. That trend we are referring to is people getting sick. People drink ginger ale when sick due to its comforting association, carbonation to help with burping, and the idea that ginger soothes nausea.

Spring: A New Beginning

Spring is a time of rebirth, new life, and energy. The cold is finally taking a step back and the sunshine returns. Many see the spring season as a reset, and this brings forth a new behaviour in snacking preferences. In Snack Kingdom Vending, we see a rise in healthier options such as granola and protein bars. These choices align with the feeling of renewal and change. It is a new season where people are exercising more, thinking more about what they eat, and wanting to make adjustments to their diets.

But what about drinks? With the arrival of spring, we notice fruity and more natural flavours gaining popularity, along with energy drinks selling out more quickly. This again ties back to the feeling of change and energy. Drinks such as apple juice, orange juice, and Gatorade tend to see stronger demand during this time.

Summer: The Season of Hydration

Summer is a time of exploring, relaxing, and fun. The heat is in full force. People are outdoors more, enjoying the weather, staying active, and soaking in the longer days. With increased activity and higher temperatures, hydration becomes a priority, and this strongly influences vending preferences.

Nothing says summer quite like the sizzle and crack of a fresh pop can from a vending machine. That refreshing sip of Coke or Sprite is something many people associate with a hot summer day. At Snack Kingdom Vending, we see a significant surge in beverage sales during the summer months, with pop often leading the way because of its refreshing and familiar appeal. Other beverages also see strong demand. Energy drinks, juices, sports drinks, and bottled water all perform well as customers look for convenient ways to stay refreshed and energized throughout the day.

Snack preferences in the summer often shift toward lighter, quick energy options. Fruity candies, gummies, and lighter salty snacks tend to perform well, as customers look for snacks that feel less heavy in warmer temperatures.

Autumn: The Chocolate Craze

Autumn is a time of transition and routine. It arrives with crisp air, changing leaves, and the return of familiar schedules. As people move away from summer’s outdoor activity and settle back into daily life, snack choices begin to reflect nostalgia and seasonal indulgence. One event often defines autumn snacking more than any other, and that is Halloween.

As many children know, Halloween is the time of year when they get to stuff their faces with as much chocolate as they can work for it. It’s a common yearly tradition amongst many children today, and one that many of us hold dear to our hearts. Perhaps that memory stuck with a lot of us to the current day, as we see a rise in chocolate sales around this time as well. Kit Kat, Hershey’s, and Snickers, amongst the rest, all see a rise in sales in autumn.

All Year, All Rounder

You might have noticed one important category that has not been mentioned yet, and that would be chips. That is not by accident. Chips are what we at Snack Kingdom Vending like to consider an all rounder. There is no single season where they clearly outperform the others, and that is because there will always be a craving for them.

Salty snack cravings often connect to comfort eating and routine snacking. It is something people reliably reach for after a long day. Whether it is the coldest part of winter or the hottest stretch of summer, chips remain a consistent staple in vending machines all year long. 

Final Thoughts

As the seasons come and go, so do snacking preferences. It is a strange but fascinating shift in behaviour, and one that we at Snack Kingdom Vending love to observe. Whether you are reaching for a fluffy pastry in the winter, a refreshing pop can in the summer, or you are someone who ignores seasonality altogether and grabs whatever you are craving, there is always something for you in the machine.

At Snack Kingdom Vending, we make sure your workplace is stocked for every season. Contact us today to install your free vending machine, and we will be with you every step of the way, no matter the time of year.