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2026 IT Channel Predictions Are Optimistic

Star partners in the IT channel are in a strong position going into 2026. What will define success for value-added resellers (VARs), independent software vendors (ISVs), and managed services providers (MSPs) in the IT channel this coming year? Rising IT spend, growth in subscription-based software, and expanding demand for vertical solutions all point to one of the strongest years for the IT channel in a decade.

Macro trends are positive. Gartner predicts worldwide IT spending will increase 9.8% from 2025 to reach $6.08 trillion in 2026. The IT services market is also growing, with Grand View Research reporting a CAGR of 9.4% from 2025 to 2026, reaching $2.59 trillion. For IT channel partners, these indicators suggest sustained opportunity rather than short-term recovery.

What Is the IT Channel in 2026?

The IT channel, comprising VARs, ISVs, MSPs, and other technology integrators, looks very different from what it did a decade ago. Today’s IT channel partners do far more than sell hardware. They design, deploy, and support complete technology ecosystems that combine software, integrations, and ongoing services.

This modern channel model aligns closely with Star Micronics’ hardware portfolio, cloud printing technologies, and partner ecosystem. Reliable, cloud-ready hardware remains foundational to these deployments, especially in retail, restaurant, healthcare, and other multi-location environments.

In 2026, IT channel organizations continue shifting toward recurring services, cloud-based deployments, and specialized vertical markets. According to the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) Retail IT Channel KPI Study, VARs and ISVs have rebounded from a flat or worse 2024. About 80% of the POS channel now reports growth, with 9.4% seeing revenue growth of 40% or more. These trends are setting the stage for a strong year ahead.

Key Predictions for the IT Channel in 2026

Based on market data and channel performance trends, several themes will define success for IT channel partners in 2026:

Continued growth in recurring, service-driven revenue models
Increased demand for cloud-ready, multi-location hardware deployments
Expansion into regulated and emerging verticals such as healthcare, cannabis, and senior living
Greater emphasis on simplifying infrastructure while enabling scale

Partners that can deliver reliable hardware while reducing operational complexity will be best positioned to capitalize on these shifts.

More Insights from the Retail IT Channel KPI Study

The RSPA’s Retail IT Channel KPI Study took a deep dive into the state of the channel, examining key performance indicators (KPIs) that IT channel partners, including VARs, ISVs, and other solutions providers, use to measure business health. One of the most telling indicators is revenue per employee.

1. Growing Revenue per Employee

Among RSPA member VARs and ISVs, 38.1% report $200K in revenue per employee, a long-standing benchmark for a healthy organization across both the POS channel and the broader IT channel. This figure represents a 5.6% increase from 2023 and an 11.8% improvement compared to 2022, signaling stronger operational efficiency among IT channel partners.

RSPA views this improvement as evidence that IT channel partners are succeeding even as competition from VC-backed providers continues to grow. The study also shows that VARs and ISVs are increasingly effective at pairing high-value services with IT hardware and software. Approximately 55% of respondents report that 10% to 29% of their revenue is recurring from services, while about 6% generate more than 60% of revenue from services.

Star partners are among the POS channel organizations benefiting from these trends. By combining managed services with hardware bundles such as printing, labeling, kiosks, and cloud-connected POS peripherals, they are well-positioned to meet evolving market demand and sustain long-term growth.

2. Near Record Profit Margins

In addition to revenue growth, the POS channel is seeing higher profitability. Only 1.2% of RSPA survey respondents reported a loss, while 64.7% reported profit margins between 20% and 60% or more. These results point to a healthier, more resilient channel overall.

3. Expansion into New Markets and Niches

Another key finding from the study is that IT channel partners are expanding beyond traditional retail and restaurant markets. Respondents reported growth in areas such as:

Wine, beer, and liquor (44.1%)
Ethnic grocery or restaurants (32.1%)
Cannabis (19.1%)
Garden and nursery (16.7%)
Hardware retail (16.8%)
Entertainment and recreation (15.5%)

In addition, many VARs and ISVs are setting their sights on healthcare (14.3%), medical office and senior living (13.1%), and non-profit organizations (11.9%). With broader solution portfolios, including cloud-ready hardware and printing technologies from Star, partners can confidently expand into these verticals.

4. Emerging Opportunities

When asked about emerging opportunities, IT channel partners consistently pointed to larger customer profiles, expansion into enterprise accounts, and growing demand for specialized, vertical-focused software. Many also cited advancing technology as a key growth driver.

As end customers seek to operate more efficiently and deliver better experiences, IT channel partners are increasingly positioned as strategic advisors. Simplifying infrastructure while enabling cloud-based, multi-location deployments is becoming a defining competitive advantage.

What Makes a Star Partnership So Valuable?

Partnerships enable VARs, ISVs, and MSPs to deliver the products, solutions, and services their markets demand. Star Micronics supports partners with an exceptional breadth of hardware, cloud technologies, and flexible deployment options designed for modern IT channel business models.

> Star’s Portfolio

Star Micronics offers one of the industry’s most complete portfolios of POS and labeling hardware, including receipt, label, and multifunction printers, cash drawers, scales, tablet stands, and scanners. This breadth allows VARs and ISVs to build standardized, scalable solutions across retail, restaurant, and emerging vertical markets.

In addition to hardware, Star provides cloud technologies and services that support modern deployment models:

CloudPRNT Next is Star’s next-generation cloud printing technology built into compatible printers. Using MQTT-based communication, it enables fast, reliable, and scalable direct-to-cloud printing for ISVs that choose to manage their own cloud infrastructure.
StarIO.Online is Star’s fully managed cloud printing service. It allows ISVs to send print jobs to CloudPRNT-compatible printers through REST APIs while Star hosts and maintains the cloud infrastructure. StarIO.Online also provides real-time printer status visibility and centralized configuration related specifically to cloud printing workflows, helping partners reduce infrastructure complexity and support multi-location deployments more efficiently.
Star Micronics Cloud Services (SMCS) includes cloud-based tools and APIs that extend the value of Star hardware. SMCS provides developer-facing APIs that enable ISVs to build their own dashboards or workflows for printer status monitoring and connectivity. It also includes end-user tools such as PromoPRNT and Label Builder, designed to help merchants manage promotional content and customized label designs.

Together, these options give VARs and ISVs flexibility in how they architect, deploy, and support cloud-enabled printing solutions at scale.

> Vertical-Specific Solutions

Star supports a wide range of industries, with hardware designed for retail and restaurant environments, as well as for growing sectors such as healthcare, medical offices, senior living, and non-profits. Star’s experienced team provides the industry expertise needed to support partners as they expand into new verticals.

> Opportunities to Build Recurring Revenue

VARs, ISVs, and MSPs can package software and services around Star’s technology to build recurring revenue streams. By supporting cloud-first offerings and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models, Star makes it easier for partners to create predictable, scalable revenue while reducing long-term support complexity.

Make the Most of a Great Year for the IT Channel

In 2026, the IT channel will favor partners who simplify infrastructure while enabling scale. Star Micronics helps VARs and ISVs do exactly that, with cloud-ready POS hardware and a fully managed cloud printing service that removes friction for both partners and their end-user customers.

Want to learn more about the benefits of a Star partnership?

FAQs for VARs and ISV Partners

What trends will matter most for the IT channel in 2026?

Growth in cloud-based platforms, vertical specialization, and scalable hardware deployments will shape the IT channel in 2026. VARs and ISVs that simplify infrastructure and support multi-location environments will be best positioned to grow.

Why are VARs and ISVs expanding into new vertical markets?

Competitive pressure and maturing retail and restaurant markets are driving channel partners to explore healthcare, cannabis, senior living, and specialty retail. These industries demand reliable, purpose-built hardware and cloud-ready printing solutions.

How does Star Micronics support VARs and ISVs as they scale?

Star Micronics provides a broad portfolio of POS and labeling hardware, cloud-ready printing technologies, and a partner ecosystem designed to support multi-location deployments without unnecessary complexity.

What’s the difference between StarIO.Online and Star Micronics Cloud Services?

StarIO.Online is Star Micronics’ fully managed cloud printing service. Star hosts and maintains the cloud infrastructure, allowing ISVs to send print jobs to CloudPRNT-compatible printers through REST APIs without managing servers or middleware. StarIO.Online also provides built-in printer status visibility and cloud-printing-related configuration through Star’s managed dashboard.

Star Micronics Cloud Services (SMCS) provides developer-facing APIs that allow ISVs to build their own dashboards and tools for printer status monitoring and related functions within their own platforms. SMCS also includes end-user cloud tools such as PromoPRNT and Label Builder, which are designed for merchant use and are not embedded into ISV platforms.

Some partners use both: StarIO.Online to offload cloud printing infrastructure, and SMCS APIs to build customized monitoring or workflows on top of Star’s hardware ecosystem.

Do partners need to use Star’s cloud services to work with Star hardware?

No. Partners can choose the architecture that fits their business. ISVs may manage their own cloud infrastructure using CloudPRNT Next or opt for StarIO.Online, if they prefer a fully managed cloud printing service hosted by Star.

December 19, 2025

Airport Food Label Printers: How to Improve Safety, Speed, and Compliance

Airports depend on clear, accurate labeling to keep food safe, compliant, and fast-moving. Learn how modern airport food label printers support rotation, grab-and-go, allergen, and traceability workflows across terminal restaurants, QSRs, and retail operators.

What Is an Airport Food Label Printer?

An airport food label printer is any reliable label printer used within airport restaurants, QSRs, lounges, and grab-and-go retailers to produce rotation labels, allergen and nutritional labels, traceability labels, and barcode/QR labels. While not a specialized hardware category, these printers must support high-volume workflows, fast labeling, multiple media types, and strong connectivity options to meet the speed, safety, and compliance requirements of airport foodservice environments.

The Rising Demand for Food Labeling in Airports

Several trends are driving the growing need for reliable airport food labeling solutions. Passenger volume continues to rise, with FAA data showing U.S. airports surpassing pre-pandemic levels and reaching 1.1 billion travelers in 2024. As dwell times increase, so does demand for meals, snacks, and grab-and-go options across airport terminals and lounges.

With this expansion comes a higher standard for freshness, safety, and transparency. Airport foodservice providers must label items clearly to meet consumer expectations, support accurate allergen disclosures, and comply with regulations such as the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Many airports also maintain their own elevated safety and traceability standards to protect travelers and manage brand reputation.

Airport food label printers are also essential tools for fast casual and QSR environments where orders come in through kiosks or mobile devices. Clear, accurate labels keep kitchens organized, speed up prep, and reduce errors—especially when menu items or ingredients change frequently. A reliable airport food label printer becomes critical for both food safety and operational speed.

Key Label Types Used in Airport Restaurants & Grab-and-Go

Operators must configure airport food label printers for different purposes so that they clearly communicate vital information. Key airport food label types include:

Allergen Labels: These labels protect travelers with dietary restrictions and are required in many regions. They are essential for prepackaged items.
Freshness/Rotation Labels: Staff can easily apply freshness labels even when preparing foods at peak volume. The timestamp on the label ensures food safety and helps to minimize food waste.

Grab-and-Go Labels: Labels ensure consumers have vital information about prepackaged prepared foods like sandwiches, salads, and packaged meals. Labels can include ingredient lists, timestamps, and allergen information. Grab-and-go labels also communicate the restaurant’s brand.
Nutritional Labels: These labels allow airports and their food vendors to comply with related laws in the countries where they operate. Consumers also expect nutrition labels to help them make informed food choices.
Traceability Labels: Data on airport food labeling allows staff to track preparation time, batch number, and information from food prep processes. These labels are critical for multi-vendor terminals and lounge catering teams to ensure consumers receive the right orders.
Barcode/QR Labels: Barcodes and QR codes allow operators to automate inventory tracking, food prep progress, and update digital systems. These labels are vital to large food services with centralized kitchens.

Read our blog, “Food Label Compliance and Traceability in QSR and Grab-and-Go Operations” >

What Airports Need in a High-Performance Food Label Printer

Because a range of airport food label printing is necessary to optimize food service safety, accuracy, and service, operators must choose an airport food label printer with these key features:

1. Versatile Media Compatibility

Airport food label printers should create all common label types. The ability for one model to print sustainable linerless, sticky linerless, die-cut, and continuous labels reduces the food service operation’s IT equipment footprint and SKU count.

2. Fast, Reliable Throughput

High-volume airport terminals can’t tolerate lag or downtime. Airport food label printers with fast printing speeds keep lines moving, even during rush periods.

3. Compact, Durable Hardware

Airport food label printers with space-saving designs allow staff to use them where there’s limited counter space. Compact printers benefit QSRs and lounges and can easily integrate with kiosks. Airports shouldn’t trade compact design for durability, however. Printers must meet size and configuration requirements in addition to delivering top performance during non-stop daily use.

4. Easy Connectivity

Airport networks vary, and staff may need printers in a variety of locations. Airport food label printers must support a range of connectivity options, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB-C, and Bluetooth.

5. Centralized Management

Airports rely on consistent oversight across multiple vendors, kiosks, and foodservice stations. Airport food label printers should support centralized monitoring and management to ensure consistency and control.

How Star Micronics Supports Airport Food Labeling

Star Micronics provides a full suite of airport food labeling solutions designed for speed, safety, and operational consistency. Star printers support all common media types used in airport foodservice, including linerless, die-cut, and continuous labels. They also handle sticky linerless labels ideal for grab-and-go packaging, as well as labels for freshness rotation, allergens, nutrition, and traceability. Multiple connectivity options ensure printers can be deployed wherever airport teams need them.

Star also supports airport food labeling workflows with essential cloud and device management services:

CloudPRNT Next enables direct-to-server, enterprise-level cloud printing for labeling workflows across airport operations.
StarIO.Online provides a fully managed cloud printing service for ISVs that want Star to host the printing infrastructure, eliminating the need for local servers or middleware.
Star Micronics Cloud Services offers remote monitoring, device status visibility, and configuration tools, allowing IT teams to oversee printers across terminals without on-site intervention.

Together, these services give airports flexible ways to standardize printing, reduce maintenance, and support large-scale foodservice operations from a central point of control.

Recommended Airport Food Label Printers

Printer Model	Connectivity	Label Support	Best For
mC-Label3	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C	Linerless, Die-Cut, Continuous	Multi-station labeling, high-volume terminals
mC-Label2	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C	Linerless, Die-Cut, Continuous	Compact prep stations, lounges, barcoding
TSP143IV SK X4	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth	Sticky Linerless Labels	Grab-and-go labeling, takeout, packaging

mC-Label2 Multifunction Printer

The mC-Label2 packs powerful features into a compact, front-loading design, including 300 dpi resolution, support for linerless, die-cut, receipt, and continuous media, and connectivity options like USB-C, LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth, and Apple MFi-certified pairing (X4 models only).

Explore the mC-Label2 >

mC-Label3 Multifunction Printer

The Star Micronics mC-Label3 is a versatile multifunction printer that prints a wide range of labels and receipts, including both permanent and repositionable sticky linerless. It features cloud connectivity and innovative technologies like SteadyLAN and TetherLAN for enhanced printing convenience.

Discover the mC-Label3 >

TSP143IV SK Sticky Label Printer

The TSP143IV SK by Star Micronics sets a new standard for compact, eco-friendly thermal linerless label printing, offering advanced connectivity options like Wi-Fi and AOA, and efficient, residue-free labels for diverse business needs.

Find out more >

Reliable Labeling Keeps Airport Operations Moving

As airport traffic and the demand for food service in airports grow, operations will see more demand for prepackaged and restaurant foods for hungry travelers. However, with this increased demand, airports will also need to find ways to stay organized, operate efficiently, serve accurate orders, and comply with food safety and transparency laws.

Operations need highly reliable, high-speed airport food label printing solutions for the full range of labeling needs, from sustainable linerless labels for QSR and lounge orders to sticky labels for nutrition information and branding. Airports also need printing services for centralized management across multiple terminals and cloud-based oversight for auditing and traceability.

Star Micronics’ printer line delivers the versatility and performance airports require. Star also offers services, including CloudPRNT Next and StarIO.Online, to streamline label printing management and even versatile label media like Star Blue Eco.

Why the Right Airport Food Label Printer Matters

Airport foodservice operations move fast, and consistent food label compliance is essential for keeping travelers safe and maintaining smooth workflows. The right airport food label printer supports freshness and rotation labeling, allergen visibility, grab-and-go packaging, and traceability across every terminal.

With versatile media support, reliable throughput, and centralized cloud management, modern label printers help airport operators reduce errors, meet regulatory requirements, and keep high-volume service running without interruption.

How VARs and ISVs Can Maximize ROI with Advanced Kiosk Printing Technology

This ebook reveals how ISVs and VARs can harness the transformative potential of kiosk printing technology to maximize ROI for both their clients and their own businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an airport food label printer?

An airport food label printer is any label printer capable of producing rotation, allergen, nutrition, grab-and-go, and traceability labels in fast-paced airport foodservice environments. It does not need to be a specialized device — it simply needs to meet airport requirements for speed, durability, and media flexibility.

Why do airports need specialized labeling workflows?

Airports operate at high volume with strict food safety, traceability, and allergen-compliance requirements. Consistent labeling helps maintain freshness, reduce waste, support transparency, and ensure operational accuracy across multiple vendors and terminals.

Can one label printer support multiple airport food label types?

Yes. Star printers like the mC-Label3 and mC-Label2 are designed to handle a wide range of media types — including linerless, die-cut, and continuous labels — giving operators the versatility to support different labeling needs across the airport. Each printer is loaded with the label type needed for its station, and operators can easily dedicate identical models to different tasks to simplify training, reduce SKUs, and maintain consistent workflows. Software integration determines which label formats and layouts can be produced.

Do airport food label printers need Wi-Fi to operate?

No. While Wi-Fi is common in airport environments, Star printers also support Ethernet, Bluetooth, and USB-C. This ensures reliable operation even in congested wireless environments.

Are linerless labels suitable for airport foodservice?

Yes. Linerless labels are widely used in airports because they reduce waste, offer flexible sizing, and work well for grab-and-go items, rotation labeling, and order accuracy. Sticky linerless labels are especially useful for sealing to-go packaging.

What is the best type of printer for grab-and-go airport items?

Sticky linerless-capable printers like the TSP143IV SK X4 and media-flexible models like the multifunction mC-Label3 are ideal for grab-and-go packaging, nutritional labels, and branding stickers due to their speed, adhesion options, and compact footprint.

Learn more about Star’s label printer lineup and get the right solution for airport restaurants and grab-and-go operations:

December 5, 2025

How ISVs Can Simplify Multi-Location Labeling with Cloud Label Printing

Managing label printing across multiple locations can get complex fast. Discover how cloud label printing with Star Micronics helps ISVs standardize templates, automate updates, and maintain reliable, real-time labeling at scale without managing local servers.

The Challenge of Multi-Location Labeling

For software developers supporting retail, restaurant, or enterprise clients, labeling is rarely simple. Each location may use different devices, printers, and workflows. Updates to label templates often require on-site maintenance or manual intervention. For ISVs, that means more tickets, more support hours, and less time building new features.

As brands expand, this fragmented approach becomes even harder to manage. A menu change, new allergen disclosure, or compliance update can mean hundreds, or even thousands, of label formats to update.

Cloud label printing changes that equation.

Why Cloud Label Printing Matters

Cloud label printing moves the entire labeling process off local networks and into the cloud. Instead of relying on a PC or tablet to relay jobs to a printer, cloud-enabled devices communicate directly with a web server or managed service. For ISVs, that means:

Centralized control: Update label templates or configurations instantly across all client locations.
Simplified deployment: No local server installation or VPN setup required.
Fewer integration barriers: Print directly from web or cloud-based software using modern APIs and SDKs.
Consistent performance: Each printer checks in with the server automatically, ensuring nothing is missed.

Cloud printing eliminates the need for custom middleware, manual updates, or printer-by-printer configuration.

CloudPRNT Next: Printing Without the Middleman

Star Micronics’ CloudPRNT Next technology enables printers to communicate directly with a web server to retrieve and print label jobs—no tablet or on-site gateway required.

The latest evolution of Star printers enhances this process with MQTT-based communication, delivering real-time performance, instant message delivery, live printer status updates, and improved uptime across distributed environments.

This architecture makes CloudPRNT Next ideal for enterprise and multi-location deployments where orders, labels, or production tickets must print immediately and reliably from the cloud.

Perfect for ISVs developing:

Online ordering and fulfillment platforms
Retail labeling and inventory systems
Manufacturing or warehouse label management
Franchise-level POS or ERP applications

StarIO.Online: Fully Managed Cloud Printing for Developers

For ISVs who want the power of CloudPRNT Next without hosting their own infrastructure, StarIO.Online offers a fully managed cloud printing service.

StarIO.Online runs on secure, Star-hosted servers, no installation or server maintenance required. Developers can integrate printing into their web or mobile apps through a REST-style API, send jobs directly to any CloudPRNT-compatible printer, and monitor devices from a centralized dashboard.

Key benefits for ISVs:

Zero infrastructure management: Star handles hosting, uptime, and certificates.
Real-time monitoring: Check printer status and job history remotely.
Rapid integration: Use predefined APIs instead of building custom code.
Global scalability: Manage thousands of printers across multiple clients or brands.

With StarIO.Online, ISVs can build one integration that supports any connected location, whether it’s one store or one thousand.

Star Printers Built for Cloud Label Printing

Star’s cloud-ready printers make it easy for ISVs to deploy at scale. All models below support CloudPRNT Next, giving developers flexibility across use cases:

Printer Model	Connectivity	Label Support	Best For
mC-Label3	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C	Linerless, Die-Cut, Continuous	Multi-station labeling and order workflows
mC-Label2	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C	Linerless, Die-Cut, Continuous	Compact labeling setups and barcoding
TSP143IV SK X4	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth	Sticky linerless labels	Takeout and delivery bag labeling

Each printer can be integrated locally or connected directly to a cloud service, ideal for ISVs who need flexibility across different client environments.