Abstract: An automatic vending machine and method are presented. The machine comprises a cells' arrangement having an arrays of cells, each for storing an article therein; a monitoring system comprising an article identifier assembly configured and operable for identifying an article-related data in each of the cells; an article delivering assembly comprising an article holder for receiving a predefined article removed from the respective cell and allowing delivery of the removed article to a customer; and a control system connectable to the article identifier assembly and to the article delivery assembly for selectively operating these assemblies and recording data indicative of articles currently stored in the cells' arrangement and of article removed from the cells' arrangement.