Friday, January 22, 2010

Advantages of Outdoor Vending Machine

When we talk of vending, we are only reminded of machines situated within premises of crowded areas like shops, malls, schools, offices etc. Outdoor vending system has not gain prominence and is still under consideration. However, few operators have started experimenting with these machines by locating them outdoors. For instance: few vending machines are located in amusement parks and entertainment parks. The reason for installing these machines outdoor is because these machines generate huge sales when located outside. In spite of its advantages, location of vending machines is still restricted to indoors.

Vending machines located outdoors has its own set of benefits. The first and foremost benefit is easy visibility and wider reach. Some of the benefits are discussed below:

• Increase footage: Vending machines installed outdoors are capable of increasing footage in retail stores. This is a dual benefit of locating the machine outdoor. A customer who visits the retail store is automatically attracted towards the machine and vice versa with a customer who visits the vending machine. In both these cases, sales of both vending machine and retail stores can be boosted.

• Machines that are located outside parks have noticed that there has been an increase in the number of people visiting parks.

• National accounts of vending management companies that manage vending companies have advised vending operators to make better use of vending opportunities including outdoor sites.

The main benefit of outdoor machines over indoor ones is that operators need not face any maintenance issues or hassles with the condensers as is the case with most indoor machines. When it comes to profitability, there is a mixed reaction. Some people feel that outdoor and indoor machine generate the almost similar returns. While vending management companies are of the view that outdoor locations provide higher sales and revenue when compared to indoor ones.

However, if an operator is in lookout for new avenues, then outdoor vending deserves to be tried once. For more information on starting your own vending business contact Planet Antares staff.

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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Few Aspects That Need To Be Considered While Starting Vending Business

Vending business can make all your dreams come true if and only if you have proper planning. There are three important factors that play crucial role in making your business a big success. They are:

• Vending machines: There are several models of vending machines available in the market. Each of them varies in shape, size, features and technology. If you are stating business for the first time, make sure you purchase a brand new machine from a reputed company like Planet Antares with all latest features. It may not be surprising to say that customers get attracted by the looks of vending machine. Vending is an instinct based sales and hence looks of the machine plays crucial role in creating an instinct to purchase products.

• Location: Place or location undoubtedly influences your business. It is so powerful that it can either make or break your business. Choice of location should be such that it is easily accessible to all customers otherwise there is no use of that location. Locations with high customer traffic such as schools, colleges, restaurants, offices, shopping malls and convenience stores should be preferred. The location selected should also match with the products you are about to sell. For instance: if you are dispensing healthy food items, hospitals, health clubs and gyms would be ideal locations for placing your machines. In order to select the offer the best product, operator should understand the tastes and preferences of customers.

• Positioning: Once you have chosen a location for your Planet Antares vending machine, the next step is to decide its position in the premises. There is no use in placing your machine in some corner of a busy store where most people do not even notice it. You are selling a product and so when you are placing it, it should be located in such a place where everyone can easily locate the machine. The position of your vending machine no doubt depends on the kind of place you have installed your machine. If you are catering to needs of offices, pantry or lunch rooms would be a perfect choice.

These three points if kept in mind while starting your vending business can make it a big success.

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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Vending Machine Benefits

It may be quite surprising to know that Americans spend almost $22 billion dollars every year on vending machines. Even though vending machines are in use across the globe, they have been biggest success in US. This is the only reason why more and more operators are lured towards this money minting industry.

The benefit offered by this business is the main cause of increasing popularity for this business among various classes of people. These machines offer a wide range of benefits not only for the operators but the customers in general. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Healthy products: Obesity is growing problem among all age groups. This is one reason why most organisations are encouraging healthy vending. Schools and offices use vending machines in order to have a complete control over their employees or children’s eating habits. By stocking healthy food products, healthy eating habits can be encouraged among children and employees.

• Accessibility: Modern lifestyle keeps people too busy and preoccupied that they hardly find time to cook or go out for lunch. Thanks to vending machines since they provide easy access to customers by allowing them to get quick snack whenever they want.

• Profits: From an operators point of view this business is very profitable. The initial cost for setting up a vending business is low when compared to any other business. Moreover, this is a complete cash business and hence returns start pouring in right from the day of installation.

• Technology: Thanks to technological advancements, vending machines are no more restricted to selected food items. Modern vending machines are used to vend almost all products including DVD’s, mobiles, cell phones etc.

• Storage: Recent past has witnessed several machines that have been designed specifically to serve hot or cold food. For instance, some vending machines are used to vend pizzas while others are used for vending cold ice creams.

• Profits: This is in fact the only business that allows the operator to make profits right from day one of its installation.

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Friday, January 8, 2010

How to Purchase the Right Kind of Vending Machine?

Vending business is undoubtedly one of the greatest business opportunities. Once these machines are set up and running, they are a great way to earn with minimal to no maintenance.

Few tips that aid in purchasing the right kind of vending machine:

• Decide where you want to place your vending machine. Try to identify locations with high foot traffic. If required, you can hire a vending machine locator to assist you in your search for a right location. You can also get advice from Planet Antares staff on all aspects of vending business.

• Determine which type of machine you would like to place in each location. Basically there are three kinds of machines- mechanical, electronic and snack and soda machine. Each of them has its own set of merits and demerits. Hence it is for the operator to decide which machine he would like to locate.

• Identify the kind of products you would like to dispense in your machine. This is also influenced by the location in which you have placed your machine and your target audience. For instance: if you have located your vending machine in a high school, consider dispensing snacks which would lure kids.

• Set a growth plan for your business even before you purchase your first vending machine. Decide on how you would like to start the business ie whether you would like to have few machines or large number of machines situated in variety of locations. This would give you a clear picture of what you would like to achieve.

• Plan your purchasing options: Some vending companies offer financing that can help you purchase a number of machines in one single go. Few vending companies also assist you in finding financers for their vending machines while others allow you to purchase machines outright using credit cards. The final choice would be at your own discretion.

• Decide whether you want to go for a new vending machine or a used one. Although used machines tend to cost less, in the long run they turn out to be more expensive when compared to a new machine. Moreover, new machines come with warranty and are highly efficient.

These tips if followed carefully can help you in purchasing the most appropriate kind of machine.

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