easyVEND™: Built for Today’s Market, Ready for More

Transforming Lottery Sales with Smart, Seamless In-Lane Solutions.

By Pollard Banknote Limited

Published July 15, 2025

As consumers increasingly demand convenience in their shopping experiences, the retail landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation. At the forefront of this change is a growing expectation for frictionless transactions—interactions that are fast, intuitive, and tech-enabled.

Whether ordering groceries online or tapping to pay at the counter, today’s shoppers expect retail environments to adapt to their habits. A recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report found that 82% of consumers are willing to share personal information like email or age in exchange for better service. At the same time, McKinsey research shows that 92% of U.S. shoppers now use digital payments, signaling widespread adoption of cashless, streamlined transactions.

Retailers are adapting by rethinking front-end operations and exploring innovative solutions to keep pace with evolving customer expectations. One category with promising potential for enhancement is lottery sales, which have typically relied on conventional service methods, and limited in-lane visibility. That’s where easyVEND™ by Schafer Retail Solutions+ is rewriting the playbook.

RETHINKING THE LOTTERY EXPERIENCE

easyVEND™ is a modern, flexible lottery vending solution designed specifically for today’s fast-paced retail environments. Compact and secure, it integrates seamlessly into checkout lanes—meeting customers where they already shop and transforming underutilized space into a valuable source of revenue.

Unlike traditional ticket vending setups—where ticket sales are often treated as an afterthought, tucked near exits, hidden behind customer service counters, or isolated in low-traffic areas—easyVEND™ brings lottery sales front and center. By integrating directly into the standard checkout flow, easyVEND™ makes ticket purchases part of the natural shopping rhythm. Customers can select instant tickets during their grocery run, pay for them alongside their other items, and receive tickets directly from the clerk—seamlessly and without slowing down the transaction. No more missed opportunities at unmanned dispensers or overlooked units; easyVEND™ captures attention right where it counts: in the path of purchase, turning every transaction into a chance to play.

With modular formats and a compact, under-counter footprint, easyVEND™ is designed to complement a variety of store layouts—making it especially well-suited for high-traffic environments where space is limited.

A PROVEN ENGINE FOR RETAIL GROWTH

With added convenience comes a clear impact on sales. In Texas, Foodarama stores using easyVEND™ have seen an average 32.2% weekly increase in lottery sales, compared to just 2% weekly growth across the broader state market. Additionally, easyVEND™ locations are trending 16% higher in draw sales compared to the Texas state average, even as the overall market shows signs of softening. And with industry research indicating that up to 80% of impulse purchases occur at checkout, easyVEND™ strategically capitalizes on the store’s most valuable real estate—maximizing both visibility and in-the-moment sales.

SEAMLESS FOR CUSTOMERS, SIMPLE FOR RETAILERS

A key driver behind the success of easyVEND™ is its streamlined, intuitive design, built to accommodate modern retail operations. The system offers two flexible software options—Integrated and Non-Integrated (Zero)—allowing retailers to choose the setup that best aligns with their existing infrastructure.

In the Integrated Setup, customers choose their lottery game from a standalone in-lane menu board, included with the product to enhance visibility and streamline the selection process. The clerk then enters the choice at the POS, and a pre-activated ticket is dispensed after payment—much like activating a gift card. The Zero Setup offers similar ease: the clerk scans a generic lottery barcode, and after payment, the secure easyVEND™ unit releases the ticket. The key distinction lies in how the unit is prompted—either through POS integration or direct clerk interaction—yet both models support in-lane transactions, unified 'one basket' checkout, and robust reporting.

Both setups include manual age verification, cashier control, and secure access to ensure a safe and compliant experience. This allows customers to enjoy a faster, more convenient way to buy, while retailers maintain full accountability and control over every transaction.

SECURITY, SIMPLICITY, AND OPERATIONAL INSIGHT

Security is a cornerstone of the easyVEND™ design. Each unit is constructed from tamper-resistant materials and installed discreetly under the counter, ensuring it remains accessible only to authorized cashiers. Tickets are dispensed only after payment is complete, which helps prevent shrinkage and fraud. Additionally, the system connects via an Ethernet or external internet source, keeping internal networks isolated—adding another layer of cybersecurity and simplifying integration into existing store infrastructure.

easyVEND™ enhances inventory accuracy through automated reconciliation and real-time sales tracking. With every interaction and transaction logged, retailers can better understand what’s selling and when—empowering smarter merchandising and promotions. Built-in data analytics  offer insight into basket-level behavior, helping retailers tailor their broader sales strategies.

REAL RESULTS FROM THE FIELD: THE TEXAS LOTTERY CASE STUDY

The Texas Lottery has experienced strong sales growth through the deployment of easyVEND™ in-lane solutions, particularly where scratch ticket options at checkout had not previously existed. By placing menu board displays in high-traffic lanes, retailers significantly increased visibility and customer awareness. Cashier engagement and in-lane advertising further boosted impulse purchases. As a result, new sales opportunities are emerging, creating a faster, more convenient, and seamless purchase experience for players—right at the moment they're most likely to buy. By seizing this critical impulse window at checkout, retailers are turning casual interest into measurable revenue growth.

“The Texas Lottery has seen strong results from easyVEND™ in-lane scratch ticket dispensers at six Texas Foodarama stores, with lottery sales up 46% just one year after installation at those locations,” said Delayna Bradshaw, Retail Projects Coordinator for the Texas Lottery. “easyVEND™ enhances ticket security, simplifies accounting for retailers, and improves the player experience with a 4-bin selection that reduces decision fatigue. Positioned in the checkout lane, easyVEND™ gives players a fast, convenient way to purchase lottery tickets—and we’re excited to expand it across Texas to reach even more players.”

This lottery case study shows how easyVEND™ boosts sales and improves the retail experience through innovation, security, and accessibility. By expanding in-lane availability with menu board displays and cashier engagement, it drives spontaneous purchases and awareness while reducing shrink and simplifying accounting—supporting growth and wider adoption in Texas. As a turnkey, easy-to-implement solution, easyVEND™ makes it simple for retailers to partner and scale, unlocking new revenue with minimal disruption and maximum return.

BUILT FOR FLEXIBILITY AND THE FUTURE

What makes easyVEND™ particularly powerful is its ability to evolve with the market. With two software options available, the system works today and grows tomorrow. Upcoming upgrades will introduce smarter engagement tools, positioning easyVEND™ as a future-proof investment.

Whether in a big-box retailer, regional grocer, or high-volume convenience store, easyVEND™ offers tailored branding options, a compact footprint, and scalable installation that fits any operational model. It allows retailers to turn untapped checkout lanes into high-performing sales channels—with minimal effort and maximum return.

THE FUTURE OF LOTTERY SALES IS HERE

As retail continues to pivot toward experiences that are faster, smarter, and more personalized, easyVEND™ stands out as a breakthrough in how lottery products are sold. By embedding itself directly into the modern shopping flow, it meets consumers where they already are—while delivering powerful results for retailers and lotteries.

With documented revenue growth, simplified operations, robust security, and flexible deployment, easyVEND™ isn’t just a vending solution—it’s a retail innovation platform. For stores looking to modernize their lottery offerings and unlock new profitability, easyVEND™ offers a sleek, scalable, and proven solution.