Author: Phil Masters

Phil Masters has witnessed and shaped the convenience services industry for over five decades. Since earning his associate's degree in Marketing in 1970, Phil has played a pivotal role at Vending.com and The Wittern Group, Vending.com’s parent company. He’s been a key contributor and leader in evolving vending solutions. His impact surpasses the typical roles associated with sales. He has pushed boundaries and embraced change by spearheading new stylings for Vending.com’s vending equipment line and pioneering corporate partnerships and branding campaigns with iconic companies like Harley Davidson, John Deere, General Motors, Ford, and others. Phil is fortunate to be a part of driving the success of Vending.com and looks forward to celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2031. He’s thankful for the opportunities to introduce new programs and provide innovative and tailored solutions to help individuals and companies reach their vending goals and thrive in an ever-evolving market.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Back To School | Healthy Vending Options

Today’s student in the U.S. is used to choosing from a variety of options. From classes, to friends, to after school activities, variety is the spice of life in middle and high schools. This may be a key reason that the vending machine has been such a successful tool for satisfying hunger cravings for our nation’s kids. Beyond its function as a nutritional vehicle for keeping kids alert and energized, it is also a significant revenue builder for the nation’s schools.

This fall a federal law will require vending machines placed in educational environments to forgo the candy and sweet treats in favor of healthy vending machine snacks in schools. Some school administrators worry about the financial impact. Many have been grappling with the decline in revenue since regular sodas have been replaced with diet and sugar-free versions. Fortunately, along with Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative to fight against childhood obesity, the nation has been trending toward a more sophisticated approach to eating with health and flavor in mind.

The vending machine is now at the center of the debate in school-based nutrition. Some commercial vending companies today, such as Vending.com, support healthy vending machine snacks in schools. From Vitamin Water and spring water instead of soda, to baked potato chips instead of the oilier counterparts and dried fruit in place of baked goods and other sweet tooth snacks, Vending.com knows how to satisfy a kid’s need for variety within the limits of federal regulations successfully. Yogurt and energy bars are other nutrient dense snack food alternatives to sweet and unhealthy foods that kids choose and parents can rest easy about.

The new, healthier products, coupled with technology, gives students an exciting and fun way to meet energy needs throughout the day, and to have fun while doing it.

A Vending.com representative can advise you about the user-friendly healthy vending machine snacks in schools and a vending machine for sale that offers benefits, such as:

filling a vending machine that still entices the kids to buy products
meet guidelines
give you a return on investment that makes sense

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Battery Recycling Vending Machine a Great ‘Eco’ Idea

Concerns over protecting the environment and conservation efforts have grown remarkably in the past few years, and the topic of batteries remains high on this list. Unfortunately, society’s rapid reward and disposal mindset has led to a major problem concerning batteries. Batteries have the potential to decimate entire ecosystems, points out Emma Hutchings, since one tossed battery could contaminate up to 20-square-meters of soil. Fortunately, Hutchings revealed how Russia is partnering with local businesses and vending machine revolutionaries to address this problem.

Battery Recycling Vending Machine

In Moscow, a typical battery recycling center gathers about 1,000 batteries in a single month. Once the battery recycling vending machine, which allowed users to pay for items with used batteries, had been installed, the total number of batteries collected in this area soared to more than 8,000. This equates to 160,000-square-meters of ground space protected by simply installing this Think Blue Machine.

Items in the Machine

Now, many might argue that batteries are not a viable way to pay for goods, such as foods or drinks, due to the potential for cross-contamination. However, the battery recycling vending machine isn’t primarily for these items. For example, users could pay two batteries to get a stress ball, four batteries to get a bottle of water, or six batteries for an eco-friendly t-shirt. All of the items within the Think Blue Machine are selected for their ability to encourage more people to protect the environment and stay healthy, i.e. water instead of soda.

Future of Battery Recycling

Russia is responsible for the disposal of up to 15 million batteries annually, which equates to millions of cubic miles of toxic soil in dumping grounds. Volkswagen is no stranger to the battery industry; each vehicle uses a battery for starting the engine, except in electric vehicles. While society becomes more aware of the potential hazards for not properly disposing of batteries, eco vending machines like the Think Blue Machine could be the solution to much more than recycling single batteries. The machine could work like an exchange; providing new batteries in exchange for 10 used batteries. Ultimately, the battery manufacturer and the recycling organization make money in this way.

Although the Think Blue Machine was designed expressly for recycling batteries and encouraging eco-friendly thoughts among industrial cities, this could prove to be a venture to use across many other landscapes. The applications for a recycling vending machine could include aluminum cans, glass, plastics, and more. The only real question that remains is how will future generations want to pay for the things they want?

Sources:

https://www.psfk.com/2015/04/volkswagen-vending-machine-batteries-money-think-blue-campaign.html

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Would Your Purchase a Drink From an Alcohol Vending Machine?

Texas has a standing reputation for promoting and starting some of the biggest ideas in the nation. Texan ideals often have roots in business and encouraging the growth of society; however, a recent proposal to introduce alcohol vending machines, as told by Eleanor Dearman, is causing a controversy in the Lone Star State. The idea of a drink vending machine is not uncommon, but an alcohol vending machine sounds difficult to control. To fully grasp how this would work and affect Texans, you must understand how the vending machines would function and how concerns over it would be addressed.

The Alcohol Vending Machine Functionality

Currently, clubs and bars check photo IDs at the door or when purchasing alcoholic beverages. In many cases, patrons are given a bracelet, which identifies minors from those above the alcohol-consuming age of 21-years-old. An alcohol vending machine would function on the premise of these bracelets. Those of legal drinking age would be given a bracelet by facility staff, which would allow them to obtain drinks from the vending machine. This ensures underage minors do not obtain alcohol from the machine. Furthermore, the machine would limit the number of drinks a person may obtain. For example, two drinks of liquor, 30-ounces of beer, or 10-ounces of wine. However, alcohol vending machines face much more criticism.

Potential Problems With an Alcohol Vending Machine

Although the facility staff will be responsible for issuing the bands allowing access to the alcohol vending machine, the problem of bracelet changing becomes an issue. What is to stop someone from obtaining a bracelet, which he or she then passes along to a minor? Immediately, this sounds like it will prevent alcohol vending machines from ever being installed. However, something similar occurs every day in alcohol-providing entities on the planet. Someone of legal drinking age could purchase a drink and provide it to a minor.

Additionally, bartenders and servers are expressing concern over the introduction of alcohol vending machines. These staff members make the majority of their living through tips, which the alcohol vending machine would essentially eliminate. Although the vending machine could not provide all of the drinks for an evening, it would cut down on the number of drinks poured by staff. Businesses face another challenge with the introduction of vending machines.

Some drinks may contain on a combination of five or more ingredients, and the alcohol vending machines do not currently have this capacity to produce such mixed drinks. Mixed drinks are extremely popular among college students, and the lack of mixed drinks could adversely affect a business’s profits for a single night of use.

As society has grown more comfortable with the idea of vending machine use across many industries, the alcohol industry stands on the edge of a new frontier. Only time will tell how the public responds to alcohol vending machines, and they may be an instant hit for those wanting a simple drink quickly. Will ordering drinks be as simple as pushing a button each time you go out in the future?

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Soda Struggles in Recent Sales, as Water, Energy and Sports Drinks Thrive

Increasingly, consumers are turning away from carbonated beverages and sodas, leading to a soda sales decline. According to a recent report from Cowen and Company that analyzed Nielsen xAOC sales data, sales of carbonated drinks marked a tenth straight year of declining sales in 2014.

The report explains that even though soft drink giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are struggling in sales, they are still posting increases in overall profits. The companies have done so by increasing prices to offset the accompanying decline in sales. This strategy resulted in a 2.5 percent increase in dollar sales for Coca-Cola amid a 3.2 percent decrease in volume. In particular, the decline in sales for Diet Coke was particularly steep with a 6.6 percent drop. During the same period, PepsiCo witnessed a 0.8 percent increase in dollar sales with declining volume.

Such a strategy is not feasible forever and the soda sales decline is not likely to disappear anytime soon. According to a 2014 Bloomberg Business article, even Coca-Cola CEO Sandy Douglas limits himself to one sugary Coke per day. The article entitled “Coke Confronts Its Big Fat Problem,” details how sales of the beverage are declining due to “the general explosion in health consciousness that has lately put Coke on the wrong side of just about every consumer lifestyle trend.”

What are consumers turning to instead of soda? Beverages that they view as healthy such as bottled water, sports drinks, and energy drinks. These drinks have seen excellent sales and increased revenues:

Sales of energy drinks such as Monster and Red Bull increased an average of 11.2 percent.
Bottled water sales increased in volume by 6.3 percent with revenues up 7 percent.
Sports drinks increased volume sales by 6.5 percent.
Ready-to-drink teas increased overall dollar sales by 9.6 percent.

These positive numbers are particularly impressive when compared to the steady long-term decline in soda sales overall.

What does this mean for vending machine owners? You may want to assess your inventory choices based on the recent sales data. Do you stock enough healthy choices in your drink vending machines? Could a few changes here and there lead to increased sales and revenues? To make the most of the trend toward health consciousness in America offering plenty of choices that include options like energy drinks, bottled water and sports drinks alongside a few soda choices might be the best blend of products to maximize your revenues.

Sources:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-07-31/coca-cola-sales-decline-health-concerns-spur-relaunch

http://fortune.com/2015/03/26/soda-sales-drop-2014/

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Vending Machine March Promotion | Get It While It’s HOT

In terms of vending machine promotions, it doesn’t get much better than this. Vending.com is currently running a financing special that lets customers get all of the vending machine equipment and other items they need to keep their customers satisfied with no money down for 12 months at 0% interest. Regardless of which item you’re looking for and how much you spend, you can save an incredible amount of money just by way of this special financing promotion in general. It’s important to note that the promotion is valid only for Vending.com new and freight blemished vending machine purchases only. The offer expires at the stroke of midnight CT on March 31, 2016, so act fast before these incredible savings are gone forever. You certainly won’t regret it.

Other Amazing Items and Unbeatable Offers by Vending.com

Even if you won’t be taking advantage of Vending.com’s March madness sale, the company still has a wide range of additional items on sale right now to help businesses exceed their customer’s expectations and create the sustainable revenue stream they’ve always dreamed of.

One of these bold items is the Cafe Express Refreshment Center, designed from the ground up to offer coffee service, beverages and a wide range of different snack items – all from one easy-to-use kiosk. The Cafe Express Refreshment Center offers a large compartment for single cup pods, K-Cups and pour over brewers in addition to a customer-friendly shelf that they can use to prepare their coffee any way that they’d like. The easy loading bottle and can trays accommodate beverages in nearly every size, from 16 ounces to 24 ounce plastic bottles and beyond.

Another impressive option available to order from Vending.com right now is the Table Top 14 Selection Snack Vending Machine.This beautiful piece features a compact, space saving design that is perfect for not only small break rooms, but also any other environment where space is valuable currency. The unit was designed from the ground up to offer 14 selections of snacks and candy and is accompanied by controls that are incredibly simple to use for both customers and operators. In addition to lightning-fast first-in-first-out product loading, it also features digital electronic pricing per selection and a number of other value-added features that make it perfect for both large and small businesses alike.

If you’re interested in taking full advantage of Vending.com’s March promotion, or in any of the other incredible snack vending machine sale items or other products available to order on the website right now, please contact the company today at 888-290-9356 for more information.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Our Trimline Refreshment Center Offers the Best Snack and Drink Vending Machine Options

The technology in vending machines has grown exponentially. Vending machines are used for a variety of purposes, which range from healthcare applications to traditional snacks and soda refreshments. Some of the latest technology includes mobile payment options and Apple Pay. However, simplicity can be more productive, and the Trimline Refreshment Center is designed to focus on simplicity.

A Traditional Soda Vending Machine

Do you recall the stories of your grandparents first experiences with vending machines? In many cases, vending machines may have contained few items, but the popularity was undeniable. The Trimline Refreshment Center Returns to the simplistic nature with six beverage selections, and business owners can decide between bottled or canned beverages, such as water, sodas, juices, and more. When filled, the Trimline Refreshment Center can hold up to 144 20-ounce bottles or 312 12-ounce cans. However, the Trimline Refreshment Center takes on another critical concern of vending machine owners, space.

Essentially, the Trimline Refreshment Center is made up of two paired machines, and the drink side weighs 467 pounds. A traditional soda vending machine may be up to 4 feet wide. Yet, the drink side of the Trimline Refreshment Center stands out at a mere 21 inches, which makes it easy to fit anywhere. Furthermore, the lightweight section of this refreshment center makes installation faster and easier than bulkier machines.

Redefining the Snack Vending Machine

Some snack machines can hold hundreds of different various items, but you’ve probably seen a few vending machines where a few items grow stale and don’t sell. This combo vending machine focuses on resolving this problem by simplifying the snack selection to 12 items.

Business owners can select 12 items to fill this machine to its capacity of 152 items. The snack section of the Trimline Refreshment Center offers an MDB coin acceptor and an MDB $1 and $5 bill acceptor. Similar to the drink section, the snack part of this machine is a mere 21-inches wide, which increases the machine’s maneuverability during installation or when moving the machine from one location to another.

With a versatile configuration for drinks, independent sections for snack and soda storage, and a simple, customer-driven selection, the Trimline Refreshment Center is sure to please the hunger and thirst of your customers. To find out more about combo vending machine options, contact the vending machine manufacturer directly at Vending.com, or request a quote on the Trimline Refreshment Center today.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

State of The Food and Drink Vending Machine Market, 2015 – 2021

Modern society has become accustomed to the idea of obtaining beverages, snacks, and many other types of items from vending machines. The machines are becoming a standard part of various businesses and industries, which range from pharmaceuticals to free items for the fans of sporting events. The stagnant age of the vending machine has come to a close, and a recent report by Persistence Market Research, as reported on by Medgadget, indicates an overwhelming trend of growth for the vending machine industry over the next six years.

What’s Driving the Growth?

Consumer demand remains the ultimate driving factor in the growth of the snack vending machine market. In recent years, the public has become increasingly concerned with the nutritional value of the contents of drink vending machines and snack vending machine. Traditionally, these vending machines have contained items of little nutritional value, but the trend seems to be changing. As more governments have become health conscious of snacks and beverages from vending machine, vending machine manufacturers and owners who readily display the caloric value of available items are expected to reap significant profits.

The growth of the vending machine market cannot be attributable to these factors alone. Instead, some of this growth may be the direct result of an increased use of mobile payment options, such as vending machines that accept credit cards. Ultimately, a vending machine with more payment options is able to serve those who may not have cash or coins on their person.

Where Will the Strongest Growth Occur?

Vending machines represent the classic idea of self service. In the coming years, the vending machine industry is expected to grow by 13.98 percent to reach an approximate worth of $31.75 billion. The US is predicted to be the predominant player in driving the growth of the vending machine market globally, while North America will claim approximately 44 percent of the market share of the vending machine industry.

What Types of Vending Machines Will Experience the Most Growth?

Vending machines can be categorized into generic groups, such as snacks, beverages, medical supplies, promotional materials, and more. Food and snack machines are expected to garner the highest market share in the industry. Behind snack vending machines, frozen food and candy vending machines will experience the highest level of growth in the US. However, the use of vending machines in quick-serving restaurants is expected to contribute the highest to the growth of the vending machine market globally. Although the growth will not be as substantial as snack vending machines, drink vending machines, such as those that dispense soda, beer, liquor, wine, and other cold beverages, are expected to show “substantial” growth by 2021.

The vending machine industry is growing, and vending machine manufacturers understand the need to increase snack and drink vending machine availability. To learn more about how vending machine services are changing today’s world, visit the blog on Vending.com, or contact a reputable vending machine manufacturer by filling out the online contact form today.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

How Are Millennials Driving the Vending Industry?

Millennials, those coming into adulthood in the year 2000 and after, are driving the market across many industries including housing, technology, marketing, and even vending machine industry trends. As this group reaches maturity and have more disposable income, everyone is taking notice of how to market and sell to this demographic.

What Do Millennials Look for in Snack Vending Machines?

This generation has grown up with technology. Vending machines that provide fresh, affordable snack and beverage options at a touch of a button appeal to them.
The younger generations are more in tune with the impact that sugary sodas and snacks have on obesity and health causing the health market to be the fastest growing channel in vending machine industry trends.
Millennials rarely carry cash and prefer cashless options like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and credit or debit cards; however, for low-cost transactions the probability of any consumer paying cash rises. A market savvy vending machine manufacturer will provide both cashless payment options as well as cash options that accept a wide range of bills and coins.
Providing mobile payment options also influences where operators place their machines. To complete a wireless transaction, consumers must have access to a clear cell signal, so locations such as basements where cell signals are at their worst are becoming less than ideal.

How Does This Change the Vending Industry?

Because the vending machine market is large, change will take time. Millennials are the perfect demographic for the vending market. They expect self-checkout options and as vending machine operators gather more data, micro-markets are expected to emerge.

The technology that serves the millennial generation so well is also helping the vending industry cater to them. Market analysts are beginning to predict a customer’s future possible purchases based on their past purchases. This data will help vending machine owners group products in a single machine that will encourage larger or repeat purchases from the same customer.

The convenience provided by technology also benefits machine owners. As owners provide machines that have wireless connectivity to allow cashless purchases for their customers, owners find that the same connectivity allows them to check machine inventory remotely. By knowing the machine’s inventory ahead of time, owners save precious time and money in restocking efforts.

As the nation’s leading vending machine provider, Vending.com sells and services snack and drink vending machines across the United States. Contact us at 855-712-8781 to see how we can assist you with your vending business.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Do Not Miss Our End of the Year Blowout Sale!

‘Tis the season for holiday sales, and Vending.com has some great end of the year deals lined up for our customers. As the country’s #1 vending machine provider, we sell, manufacture and distribute snack and drink vending machines that are made right here in the USA. Our end of year vending machine promotions can not be beaten.

The Deal

If you are in the market for snack and drink vending machines, you can not afford to miss this vending machine sale.

For a limited time, we are offering

Up to $700 off factory certified snack and drink vending machines
Factory certified snack vending machines from $1,880
Factory certified drink vending machines from $1,770
These prices reflect savings up to 29 percent off of our regular prices

All of our factory certified vending machines offer electronic coin and $1 and $5 bill acceptors. We also offer 100 percent financing for as little as $117.85 a month. If you have ever thought about expanding your vending business, today is a great day to make it a reality.

Why Should You Buy From Vending.com?

When you buy a machine from us, you are entering into a partnership that will help you start your vending business from the ground up, or take your existing business to new heights. We offer a full range of vending machines to choose from with each vending machine manufacturer located here in the United States. From our white glove delivery service to our repair services, we can help you ensure that your vending machines are always working hard to build your business. We offer a wide range of vending machines including traditional snack and soda machines as well as hot beverage, cold and frozen food, and fully customizable machines to fit any need.

Vending.com delivers and services snack and drink vending machines across the nation. If you are in the market for a vending machine, contact us at 888-290-9356 to discuss our current promotions, vending options to fit your needs, and how we can help you start or grow your business with reliable factory certified machines.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Vending.com | The Wittern Group Announces its Commitment to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge

Vending.com’s parent company, The Wittern Group, joins 153 companies who have signed the American Business Act on Climate Pledge in their support for action on climate change.

DES MOINES, IOWA – December 7, 2015 – Vending.com, announces The Wittern Group’s commitment to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge. The official announcement from the White House highlights the commitments from 73 companies, including The Wittern Group, from across the American economy that are joining the American Business Act on Climate Pledge. With this announcement, a total of 154 companies will have signed the Pledge. These companies have operations in all 50 states, employ nearly 11 million people, represent more than $4.2 trillion in annual revenue, and have a combined market capitalization of over $7 trillion.

By signing the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, The Wittern Group is voicing support for an outcome that takes a strong step forward toward a low-carbon, sustainable future at the COP21 Paris climate negotiations. As a part of this Pledge, The Wittern Group is demonstrating an ongoing focus on climate action by committing to:

Reducing water usage by 10% by 2020
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their vending products by 45% by 2025
Increasing investment in low-carbon, climate-resilient, and green projects by $2 million by 2025
Developing long-term business plans that align with the deep DE carbonization necessary to keep global average temperatures from rising less than 2C

“Sustainability is an important initiative for Vending.com and The Wittern Group as we look to grow our business while remaining agile amid a changing environmental landscape,” commented Heidi Chico, CEO of The Wittern Group and NAMA Board Member. “By committing to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, The Wittern Group, along with Vending.com, is taking a leadership role by focusing on initiatives that will increase the profile of the vending industry and demonstrate our industry’s commitment to climate action.”

The Wittern Group is one of seven National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) member companies that have committed to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge. NAMA is the association representing the $25 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry. These seven companies demonstrate an ongoing commitment to climate action and to voice their support for a strong outcome at the Paris climate negotiations.

“The Wittern Group recognizes that delaying action on climate change will be costly in economic and human terms, while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy will produce multiple benefits with regard to economic growth, public health, and the well being of the global environment,” commented Heidi Chico, CEO of The Wittern Group and NAMA Board Member. “The Wittern Group is proud to be a small but integral part in addressing climate change and through this Pledge has committed to ambitious, yet achievable, goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and utilize clean energy alternatives.”

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About The Wittern Group

Founded in 1931 by F.A. Wittern Sr., The Wittern Group provides a full range of products and services to meet all vending needs including design, manufacturing, financing, national and international sales, re-manufacturing programs, parts, and support services. The Wittern Group is structured to help people succeed in vending. www.wittern.com

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Contact: Heidi Chico // Tel: +1 (515) 271.8425 // E-mail: hchico@wittern.com

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

1st Century Vending Machine That Will Blow Your Mind

When you think back over the history of vending machines, you probably call to mind images of their evolution throughout your lifetime. The snack vending machine that you enjoyed at school as a kid pales in comparison to the high-tech solutions that we have available today. If you had to make an educated guess about when the first drink vending machine appeared, you would probably guess the 1970s or even the 1950s at the earliest, right?

In reality, the world’s first vending machine actually dates all the way back to the first century. Though it holds little resemblance to the soda vending machine that is probably in your office right now, it still has a rich and storied history that is more than worth exploring.

Heron of Alexandria

The first device that would be considered a vending machine was created during the first century by a man named Heron of Alexandria. Heron was something of an inventor in his day and actually played a huge role at the ground level of a number of the things that we depend on daily. In addition to having a hand in the development of the steam engine, wind-powered machinery and even the syringe, he also one day found himself in a situation that directly led to the concept of the vending machine.

Heron realized that churches at the time had a problem. People had a tendency to take too much holy water at temples, which left these locations without the necessary supplies needed to hold their services at the frequency that they’d like. With that simple premise, Heron went to work in his shop and changed the face of the world at the exact same time.

The Solution: Vending Machines

Heron’s solution took the form of a machine that allowed people to drop tokens inside. Once the tokens were recognized by their weight, a small lever would then open a small door and holy water would be dispensed. As the weight of the coin continued to shift, it would eventually fall back into a tray and the door would close again.

Suddenly, all of their problems were solved. People were less likely to take too much holy water if they knew they were paying for them and the temples didn’t have to keep employees nearby at all times to monitor the situation. In one fell swoop, Heron both solved a problem in a wholly unique way and set the stage for devices that we now use on a regular basis at the same time.

The next time that your uncle or grandfather tells you about how he remembers when the world’s first vending machine hit the market when he was a boy while you’re all gathered around the table for Thanksgiving dinner, you can politely correct him – unless he happens to be 1800 years old, that is. You can then tell the story of Heron, the man who now made it possible to get everything from medicine to office supplies on demand and in the most convenient way possible whenever you’d like.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Denver Broncos are Giving Free Stuff Away Via Vending Machines

Denver Broncos Twitter Vending Machine — *Image Source: www.denverbroncos.com*

Social media in general is one of the most significant innovations to come along in quite some time. Not only is it a way to effectively make the world smaller by making communication easier regardless of geography, many different types of businesses are now using it as an organic and even fun way to increase consumer engagement exponentially. Case in point: the Denver Broncos professional football team has recently teamed with a vending machine manufacturer to give away free items via vending machines that are powered by one of the most popular advertising and social networking sites of them all, Twitter.

The Denver Broncos

Sponsored by Bud Light, the Denver Broncos recently placed a series of Twitter vending machines inside their football stadium. Considering the fact that thousands of patrons excitedly pass through the halls of the stadium each Sunday, this vending machine was a very well thought-out advertising plan.

The vending machine instructs users to send a tweet using their own Twitter accounts to the @BudLight handle, the official Twitter page for the beer manufacturer. The machine also gives those users a three digit code to include in their tweet. Soon after the tweet is sent, a mechanism is automatically triggered and the machine will give them a prize completely free of charge.

Though the machine is sponsored by Bud Light, the prizes do not involve alcohol. The Broncos have added a bit of a contest element to it, giving users the chance to win ticket upgrades, unlimited catering, interaction with Broncos alumni and players and more. Prizes can even be highly expensive or even collectible and can include things like Bud Light skis signed by Jake Plummer, wearable merchandise and yes, even vouchers for free beer to be redeemed at any point during the stadium.

Because the promotion is completely free, users are flocking to the machines in droves. Users get free prizes and the Broncos and Bud Light get an inexpensive marketing campaign that spreads their brand messages to millions of people each game day.

The Twitter vending machine is just one of the many modern examples of social advertising vending in practice. It’s not just a benefit for businesses, but for vending machine companies themselves – they get to push the envelope on innovation and release products that people can’t help but take notice of at the same time. By understanding just how powerful social media is and the ways in which people are using it, you put yourself in a better position to leverage it to your advantage.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Fishing? Here’s a 24-Hour Bait-and-Tackle Vending Machine

VENDING machines were first introduced in London in 1880 but it’s taken until now for an application to be found that fits perfectly with our beach lifestyle.

Australia’s first live and frozen 24-hour bait and tackle vending machines are rolling out on the Coast.

Seasoned fisherman and Bait N Go founder Sam Mouhajar said his innovative vending machines would change the way people fished.

“Fishing is one of the best recreational activities that people can participate in, and represents the largest recreational sporting activity in Australia,” he said.

“We wanted to create a product that’s not only innovative but allows for fishing to become more accessible.”

After years of researching new concepts and the way people fished, he has developed a product range that includes quality live and frozen bait and tackle.

The bait is sourced and harvested in Australia and packaged in 100% recyclable and reusable packaging.

Mr Mouhajar said fishermen had often struggled to find accessible live bait outside normal retail trading hours and would provide a needed service last-minute and recreational fishermen particularly.

The first machines are located on the river at Noosaville, where a percentage of the profits will go to Noosa Coastguard and at Kawana.

If you’re interested in getting your own bait vending machine, visit our affiliate page for live bait vending machines.

Source: https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/vending-machines-boon-for-anglers/2802774/

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Investing in Used Vending Machines

When people think about used equipment, normally the images that immediately come to mind are negative ones. After all, who among us hasn’t purchased a used computer or television set or some other item over the years only to run into irritating (and costly) issues down the road? Certain companies are proving, however, that you need to throw these preconceived notions out the window – at least as far as vending machines are concerned. Investing in used vending machine equipment is a decision that brings with it a host of different benefits that can’t be ignored.

Buying with Confidence

Companies like Vending.com take guesswork out of the equation by only selling used vending machines that have been factory remanufactured by trained professionals. Every snack machine, drink machine or other piece of used vending equipment is certified to meet industry high standards. Not only does this allow the machine to perform at peak efficiency at all times, but it also gives you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve got a machine that you can rely on.

Warranties

Another one of the reasons why it makes sense to invest in used vending machines has to do with the types of warranties that these items normally come with. Vending.com, for example, offers a one year warranty on all machines and a 90 day parts warranty on control boards, coin acceptors, bill acceptors and other important components.

Cost Effective and Environmentally Friendly

Perhaps the most important reason to invest in a used vending equipment has to do with the cost effectiveness of your decision. 100% vending machine financing is often available on these items and you’re usually getting a machine that is just as good as a brand new option at a drastically reduced price. Oftentimes it only requires as little as five sales a day to run into profits on these machines.

More than that, investing in used machines means that you’re also making the decision to recycle. These used machines go back out into the population where they can be of good use and they won’t sit in a factor (or a landfill) without a purpose.

These are just a few of the many reasons why investing in a used vending machine may be the right choice for your business. Not only do you get a high quality, factory remanufactured and certified piece of equipment, but you also get to add a well-stocked and properly executed vending machine to your business in the most cost effective way possible.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Vending Machines and Social Media for Making Purchases

Companies of all types have long been looking for ways to use the marketing power of social media to their advantage. After all, sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more all come with active user bases in the hundreds of millions of people – who wouldn’t want to tap into that? In the 21st century, companies are using social media marketing techniques to do a whole lot more than just send out the occasional clever tweet. Many companies are leveraging the power of social media with the benefits of the common vending machine to create a situation so enticing that people everywhere can’t help but notice.

Free Promotions

One of the best recent examples of using social media vending machine equipment takes the form of a promotion executed by the Boston Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox rented a vending machine that was connected to the social media network Twitter. If a user was in the vicinity of the machine and tweeted using a specific hashtag, the machine would dispense certain products.

The real crux of the idea, however, was that a signed jersey from one of the Red Sox’s star players was inside the machine. One lucky Twitter user could use the right hashtag to win the jersey, creating a situation that fans came from all over to participate in.

Old Navy

Another example of a company putting vending machines to good use is Old Navy. Every year, Old Navy has a sale where they discount a huge number of different pairs of flip-flops to just $1. One year, Old Navy took the promotion to the next level with the involvement of 36 different social media powered vending machines in New York City and Los Angeles. If a customer came across the machine, all they had to do was log into Twitter from a tablet that was attached to the machine itself and answer a few questions in a survey.

Once the survey was completed, they could then specify their shoe size and take home a pair of flip-flops to call their own. One user also won a $5,000 vacation package, generating buzz for the campaign that was impossible to ignore.

These are just a few of the many ways that companies are using social media enabled vending machine units to their advantage. As you can see, vending machines are no longer just for selling snacks in between shifts at work or for picking up the occasional soft drink in between classes. They’re a full fledged marketing channel that can generate millions of dollars a year in revenue if utilized effectively.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

A Tiny Grocery Store That Fits in a Vending Machine

Vending machines have long been considered quick, cost efficient and effective at ways to get a few small items when you need them the most. If you’re thirsty or a bit hungry during the day, a vending machine is a great way to get a quick snack in between classes, or on a short break at work. However, what if you needed larger products in the same quick fashion? What if you were trying to pull the ingredients together for a full meal and still maintain a healthy diet at the same time? One Washington DC-based company is aiming to solve all of these issues and more by using the latest and greatest that vending machine technology has to offer.

scratchDC is a company that originally became known in the Washington DC area for its meal delivery services. Owned by Ryan Hansan, the scratchDC team has made a name for itself over the last several years by dropping off pre-measured ingredients to the homes of customers in the area – allowing them to quickly get together everything they need to have a gourmet meal without leaving their home. Now, scratchDC is taking those benefits to their logical next step by way of their TinyGrocery vending machines.

As its name suggests, the TinyGrocery vending machine is a way for scratchDC to quickly get both ready-to-eat meals and dinner meal kits out to customers in the most efficient way possible. As of June 2015, there are currently 10 TinyGrocery machines located throughout Washington, DC that allow users to purchase meal kits for breakfast, lunch and dinner at a moment’s notice. scratchDC has strategically placed these supermarket vending machines in apartment complexes, office buildings and even gyms – allowing customers to both go about their normal daily obligations and still enjoy the benefits that the company is offering at the same time.

These mini grocery store vending machine units have a built-in tablet computer that allows users to find out the price, allergens and even nutritional information for each item. All a user has to do is swipe his or her credit card to unlock the door after a purchase is made to gain access to the items they need.

One thing for sure – companies like scratchDC are pushing the envelope regarding what is expected from a traditional vending machine and exactly how you can take advantage of the format for the benefit of consumers everywhere. When you consider just how far vending machine technology has come in the last several years, it’s incredible to think about how advanced they will be five, ten or even fifteen years from now.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Could Free Samples From a Vending Machine Lead to a Full-Size Product Purchase?

freeosk

If you’ve ever been to a grocery store on the weekend, you’re probably familiar with the concept of free samples. Grocery store employees stand by a table, offering small sample servings of a particular product. The goal is to get you to try something you may not have in the past and to also entice you to purchase a product that was previously not on your radar. Can the same free sample concept yield the same benefits for vending machines across the country and increase sales? One Chicago-based startup recently attempted to find out and discovered something pretty incredible as a result.

The startup in question is called Freeosk and is run by a man named Matt Eichorn. Freeosk vending machines provide both food items and personal care products and currently have vending machines in roughly 650 Sam’s Club locations across the country. The vending machines dispense free samples of certain featured products to customers that they can then buy from Sam’s Club should they so choose. The experiment is already a success and has seen the sales of those featured products increase significantly soon after the free vending machine samples are given.

As a concept, Freeosk and its free samples are creating a bit of a “win win” situation for everyone involved. In order for a brand’s product to make it into a Freeosk as one of its “featured items,” that company must pay Freeosk for the privilege. The retailer partner (in this case Sam’s Club) also benefits, because if customers like the free samples they can then go elsewhere in the store and buy more of those products in bulk.

Even the brands themselves benefit, as free vending machine samples are a great way to increase brand engagement in a very controlled environment.

According to Sam’s Club, the customers themselves are also benefiting. Not only do they get the chance to try out products that they may not have otherwise, but Sam’s Club indicates that its members love to sample new products in general. They consider it an easy and fun way to discover new items.

If you’re a vending machine owner and are looking for a way to increase full-size product sales across the board, Freeosk and Sam’s Club have recently revealed that free vending machine samples are the way to go. With the advancements that have been made in vending machine technology in the last several years, free samples may just end up being one of the most cost-effective ways to boost revenue to come along in quite some time. Get started on this idea by checking out our selection of affordable vending machines here at Vending.com.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Vending Wallet & Greenlite Mobile Payment System

If recent trends are to be believed, the concept of paying for goods and services in cash may be a thing of the past – at least as far as millennials are concerned. More and more young people are increasingly paying with Apple Pay and similar types of mobile payment systems that rely more on technology and less on good, old-fashioned currency.

What is Mobile Payment?

Mobile payment uses credit, debit card or bank account information tied to a user’s smartphone to allow them to use technology like near field communication to pay for goods and services at many stores. Apple Pay is perhaps the most famous mobile payment system currently in existence, which allows users to pay for items using their iPhone 6 or similar iOS 8-powered devices. It launched in October of 2014, though it has long since been joined by similar services from many leading providers.

Mobile Payment and Vending Machines

Mobile payment vending machines are gaining a great deal of traction. Vending machines are already designed to offer quick, convenient experiences. This experience has only been made even faster and more efficient thanks to the fact that users can pay for items in seconds using their smartphones, smart watches and similar types of devices. These types of situations also have the benefit of being safer and more secure than a vending machine with a credit card reader.

GreenLite

One example of a mobile payment vending option is the GreenLite Credit Card Reader by Vending.com. It’s a turn-key, cashless technology that is totally secure and offers management 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Built into GreenLite are a number of features that make it incredibly attractive to providers like machine sales tracking, integrated cash versus cashless reporting, alerts for the health and status of a particular machine and more.

In addition to making the vending experience more pleasing for consumers, it’s also making it easier for the vendors themselves to manage their machines and make sure that they’re performing to peak efficiency than ever before.

Keeping up with the breakneck pace of technology has long been seen as a cost of doing business in the modern world. Thanks to mobile payment technology and services like the GreenLite system from Vending.com, however, technology is actually encouraging the investment for vending machine operators and providers all over the world. In addition to turning vending machines into a more customer-centric experience, they also bring with them a host of benefits that would have been thought to be impossible just a few short years ago.