Category: Getting Started

Welcome to the second blog in our Getting Started series! Today we will be talking about deciding what to sell. It can sometimes be a bit of a gamble with what you put in your machines. When you boil it down to its most basic form, you have two options:

  1. Put the most popular snacks in the machine
  2. Match the products to the location

 

Put the Most Popular Snacks in the Machine

This could be considered the easier option. Why? Because statistically, people are more likely to buy something they know they like rather than something they have never had before…at least if it comes from a vending machine. If you put the numbers together, the average single vending machine item costs almost double what it would be in a grocery or convenience store. Average consumers are inherently creatures of habit. The time for trying new things is when it is going to cost them the least amount of, well, everything. Time, energy, money, you name it.

What does this mean for sales? It means that you increase the likelihood of someone buying something from your machine if they have seen it, heard about it, or had it before. Consumers are drastically less likely to try a new health-fad protein bar if there is a familiar option instead. So. If you were to ask, “What is the most popular vending machine snack in the U.S.”, your answer would be, unsurprisingly, a candy bar. Snickers to be exact. The top three types of snacks you in the U.S. are as follows:

  1. Candy
  2. Chips
  3. Protein/Granola/Breakfast Bars

If your plan involves filling your machine with popular snacks, make sure to add some of these in there!

 

Try to Match the Products to the Locations

This can be significantly more difficult than the first option, especially if the location is unconventional. Gyms are pretty simple. You fill the machine with healthy options. Maybe some salads, protein bars, muscle milk, or protein shakes. The difficulty comes when you start entering locations like a doctor’s office. There are many types of doctors, specializing in many different areas. A dentist probably wouldn’t want candy in their office, while a pediatrician might not mind a few lollipops for the kids. Maybe they don’t want any food in their vending machine at all! It is these minuscule discrepancies that make this the more challenging option of the two.

There are benefits to this type of ‘product placement,’ however. In certain instances, a willingness to work within the ideals of the customer can create a better relationship with them. Working to fill a vending machine with products related to a business or practice shows that you care about the customers’ success as much as your own. This can be a great way to create long-lasting customers and places of business could be more likely to recommend your services to their peers.

 

At eVending, we are excited to be a part of your vending journey! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us via phone or our social media! Give us a call at 866-958-4501.

 

 

Getting Started – Deciding What to Sell
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Welcome to the second blog in our Getting Started series! Today we will be talking about deciding what to sell. It can sometimes be a bit of a gamble with what you put in your machines. When you boil it down to its most basic form, you have two options: Put the most popular snacks in

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location

When starting a potential vending venture, one of the first things you need to do is find your location. For example, a vending machine filled with makeup will not get you anywhere in a barbershop. A mall, however, may be more successful. The right location is key to growing your business.

One of the most important aspects of finding a location for your machine is traffic. Look for places that experience high volumes of people. The more people that see your machine, the more likely they are to buy. However, while the traffic may be high, you should consider what kind of traffic the location experiences. A great location might be an indoor trampoline park, but your main source of income from that location would most likely stem from kids and their parents. Because of this, you should match both the product and the machine to the location. We recommend utilizing the Futura Combo Vending Machine for this location. It allows you to cater to both kids and parents while providing snacks and beverages from one machine. A bonus on the Futura machine is UVend Technology. Indoor trampoline parks are places that are very attractive to germs and grime. Parents can stay safe in the knowledge that UVend Technology kills or inactivates up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on the vending machine.

The next step includes investigating the location. What type of business or area are you placing your machine in? For example, placing a vending machine in a restaurant may not be the best location for your vending machine. While the location might experience high traffic, the people who make up that number aren’t looking for anything a vending machine can offer. They are already there for the restaurant’s food.

Something else you should investigate is the nature of the area you are placing your machine in. For instance, it probably wouldn’t be a great idea to put candy in a dentist’s office. Instead, place a vending machine with toothbrushes, mouthwash, or floss.

Some of the best locations for vending machines include apartment communities, hotels, manufacturing facilities, offices, retail stores, auto shops, gyms, and schools. At eVending, our machines are designed to be perfect for any situation. Your location might be an ice-cream store, and they are looking for a more secure way to store ice-cream bars. Our 28 Selection Executive could be the choice for you!

Each location has its benefits and its downfalls. By selecting the best location for your product, you will ensure not only higher income, but will also have more overall success with your venture. Another benefit to choosing the correct locations is your business and name being spread further, indicating even more potential locations for your machines!

Vending is an easy business to get into, but the distinction between easy and profitable lies with you! For other tips on growing your vending business, call eVending today at 800-944-5524.

Getting Started – Choosing Locations
Screenshot of a map placed over the Des Moines Metropolitan area
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When starting a potential vending venture, one of the first things you need to do is find your location. For example, a vending machine filled with makeup will not get you anywhere in a barbershop. A mall, however, may be more successful. The right location is key to growing your business. One of the most

Read More