Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

New Vending Trends for 2013

As with any industry, the world of vending machines is rapidly evolving by the minute. What was once a business based on dispensing gumballs for quarters has evolved into a full suite of diverse services ranging from snack vending machines to fully-featured food machines. VendingMarketwatch.com has outlined the 5 biggest trends in the vending machine industry for 2013, ranging from new refreshment options to innovative ways of paying for snacks and sodas. The highlighted trends were as follows:

Healthy Vending – Read our blog or any vending news source for that matter, and you will immediately notice that healthy vending is here to stay. With new health regulations popping up all over and quality replacements for sugary treats, a good majority of vending machines all over the country are including calorie-conscious snacks.
Cashless Vending – Cashless transactions are becoming more and more common in every industry, and vending is no exception. Most current snack machines accept credit cards, and future products will allow for purchases with the swipe of a smartphone.
Micro markets – This new-age form of shopping puts a full store’s worth of product at a customer’s fingertips, and will likely complement the vending industry for years to come.
Machine Upgrades – Technology is evolving rapidly, and machines are following suit. From flatscreen displays to infra-red product scanners, the vending machines of the future are happening today.
Coffee – Customers love coffee. They also love vending machines. The two will make a strong pair for a long time.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Vending Machine Industry Confidence Index

Vending MarketWatch recently released a new study of the vending industry, the Vending Operator Confidence Index. The aim of this index is to measure the confidence vending operators have in the industry and assign it a positive or negative value. In their first ever index, Vending Market Watch rated the vending industry confidence level at 136.00. The average is 100 so a reading over that indicates various levels of positive outlooks. 136 puts it at a cautiously optimist outlook for the vending industry.

This index will be conducted monthly and give industry members a view of how the overall industry is doing on a more regular basis. The vending industry usually relies on annual reports or smaller studies and the monthly delivery of this survey will certainly give some unique insights into the industry. Having monthly indexes will most likely cause a few unduly high or low points based on industry trends or developments, but it will hopefully draw attention to those developments as well.

With new developments occurring more and more frequently and new vending machines for sale hitting the market, having a way to keep tab on these technological advances and the overall trend of the industry will be very helpful.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Newt Gingrich to Appear at NAMA OneShow

The National Automatic Merchandising Association, or NAMA, hosts a yearly convention called the OneShow, where vending professionals and food companies from around the world gather in celebration of the vending machine industry’s latest and greatest innovation. The show typically draws guests from all different industries, and this year is no different. One of OneShow’s most notable guests for 2013 is former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who will appear at the show to deliver the keynote address.

This world-famous public speaker will ring in what is sure to be a memorable few days for the vending machine business. Kicking off on April 25th at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, this multi-day event will celebrate all things vending, while giving industry insiders an early glimpse on the products and technology that will be soon be entering the business.

With OneShow only months away and new vending innovations being revealed almost daily, now is a better time than ever to become part of this exciting industry. By purchasing one of our affordable vending machines for sale, you will be opened up to a whole new world of business that is sure to bring profit to your establishment for years to come.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Eco-Friendly Customers and Coffee

Vending.com has learned that what makes a cup of coffee delicious might depend on more than just the beans used and the coffee and hot beverage vending machine it’s made in. According to an article by the Los Angeles Times, a research team ran an experiment in which participants were presented two cups of coffee, one that was “eco-friendly” and one that was just a regular cup of coffee. What the participants did not know was that both cups of coffee were made from the same beans and in the same standard coffee maker.

While the phrase “eco-friendly vending machine” might not make all coffee consumers crave more environmentally conscious coffee, participants were also surveyed on various issues before the study and the results showed that the majority of participants that were concerned about the environment preferred the eco-friendly brew. Those same participants were also willing to pay about 25 percent more for a coffee they believed shared their views on the environment.

When it comes to coffee or drink vending machines, you might not need to change your product offering to continue to be successful, but this is a good example of how knowing your customers and what their preferences are can help your vending machines, eco-friendly or otherwise, become even more profitable.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Malt Liquor found in Pepsi Vending Machine

Well here is something you do not hear about every day. Imagine strolling to your favorite Pepsi vending machine in search of a delicious sugary beverage, only to find a few bottles of malt liquor tucked away where sodas used to be. According to the DCist, this is exactly what happened in Washington D.C. a few days ago.

The malt liquor was found in a drink vending machine in the Trinidad neighborhood. MPD officers have since disabled the machine, which was charging $3 for the malt liquor in an attempt to sell the drink to minors. The police have yet to find out who exactly found their way into the machine and filled it with some not-so-appropriate beverages.

You certainly won’t find malt liquor vending machines here at Vending.com. What you will find, however, are some of the industry’s best snack machines at even better prices. From soda and chips, to coffee, to everything in between, we have a machine that will instantly add value and revenue to your establishment. With flexible financing options and a dedicated support staff, are vending machines for sale are among the very best in business. And they certainly will not get you into any legal trouble.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

3 Ways to Find the Perfect Vending Location

Whether you are new to the vending business or a veteran, you are likely open to suggestions on how to make your business more profitable. Since a huge part of a vending businesses success is the result of the machine’s location, learning where to put your vending machine is crucial. Read below for three tips from Vending.com on how to do just that:

Go where the people are:
As a vending machine owner, you want to find locations to put your vending machines where there is a great deal of foot traffic. Examples of such places include airports, malls or busy offices. It only stands to reason that the more people who walk by your machines each day, the better your sales will be.

Be the focus:
Although it is wise to put your vending machine where there is lots of foot traffic as listed above, you can also find success when placing your machine in a more subdued environment. Your machine will often times become a source of entertainment when people are bored. Great examples of these locations that are less busy yet highly profitable include doctors’ offices, nail salons, car repair centers or barber shops.

Don’t avoid competition:
Some vending machine owners do not want to place their machines near other peoples’ machines. However, that can be a mistake. If you place a well-stocked, attractive vending machine next to a machine that is poorly maintained or rarely stocked, you will end up doing well even with competition present.

By incorporating the three tips listed above and remembering to match the type of vending machine with your clientele, you can ensure you are placing your machine in the most profitable location possible. After all, just as in real estate, location, location, location is the means to success in the vending business.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Coke Trying to Connect World Via Vending Machines

The Coca-Cola company will forever be synonymous with the vending machine world, mostly because its beverages can be found in snack and drink vending machines all throughout the world. However, the folks behind Coke are getting ready to take vending machines to an all-new level, as their latest machines are intended to connect customers from all over.

According to Advertising Age, Coke is attempting to integrate vending machines into their Coca-Cola “happiness project,” an idea that they have been working with in various capacities. The company already has a machine you can hug in Singapore, as well as a Turkish machine that gives fresh colas to loving couples. Their latest project, first teased in December, is a high-tech machine that allows users to communicate via webcam to people in India and Pakistan, creating a friendly conversation between countries that have had less-than-friendly relationships.

Whether or not Coca-Cola’s new “happiness project” vending machine can truly change the world, their grand vending vision is certainly an admirable one. Customers could potentially make an unexpected best friend while purchasing their beverage of choice, which is something that cannot be said about everyday drink vending machines. So here’s to Coca-Cola, and the hope that the right technology can be used to make the world a better place.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Mobile Apps to Help Your Vending Machine Business

Vending.com loves the following three apps for your vending machine business to help keep track of financials, inventory and more.. They each offer a different service that will be valuable to you in your day-to-day life:

Mint:
Mint.com, which was name one of TIME Magazine’s “Top 50 iPhone Apps” in 2011, is the perfect free mobile app for business owners on the go. Since your vending business keeps you out and about for hours each day, this app will help make your life a lot easier. The app allows you to set a financial budget for your vending machine business and enter transactions while on the go. You also can get real-time fund availability. In addition, in case you lose your phone, the app has a password to keep any unauthorized persons from viewing your financial information.

Evernote:
This handy app gives you the ability to instantly take notes on your mobile device no matter where you are. You can then easily access this information later. This app is ideal for making notes of vending machine inventory needs, writing yourself a daily to-do list or just jotting down your latest brainstorm for your business. Thanks to Evernote, you don’t have to worry about keeping a paper and pen handy at all times.

Dropbox:
This app is available on both mobile devices and tablets. It works by storing your business documents, photos, or videos to access on the go. Imagine being able to pull up all your vending machine business marketing materials on the app no matter where you are at the time. After all, potential clients are everywhere, so why shouldn’t your most impressive business information be as well.

Any of our recommended apps for vending machine businesses will help you take yours to the next level.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

NYC Denies Large Soda Ban

It has been widely publicized that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been trying to keep people from buying large amounts of soda for some time now. In an attempt to change overall consumption habits, Mayor Bloomberg wants to put a ban on large-sized sodas in restaurants, delis, movie theaters, drink vending machines, and a variety of other locales that typically sell soft drinks.

While Bloomberg sees the ban as a way to promote better overall health, Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling officially struck down the proposal on March 11th, according to Vending Times. Justice Tingling called the bad “arbitrary and capricious” because it only applied to a select few types of establishments. The potential impact of the ban was questionable, as soda lovers could always stock up on a few bottles at their local drink vending machine if they cannot buy a 2-liter drink at the corner store. According to the article, it seems many health groups back the city’s decision to prevent the ban.

How do you feel about the potential of a ban on drink sizes? Should the issue be addressed at a storefront and vending machine level, or should it be up to the general population to develop better health habits.

About Vending.com

Vending.com brings together a multitude of vending expertise through our circle of services. Everything you need to start, grow, or manage your vending business is provided through our easy online access. We provide vending services, financing, vending industry news, technical repair, parts and much more. Vending.com is one of the companies under the Wittern Group umbrella. Whether you are an entrepreneur starting your own vending machine business or expanding your current business, Vending.com offers you a full-range of vending machines, financing, location assistance and other services to meet all of your vending needs. As a full-line vending sales company we provide customers nationwide with the right equipment for their client’s location. Our large selection of snack, soda machines, hot beverage, cold and frozen food and other quality vending machines can be configured and customized to fit any size location from small businesses to large factories. Let our network of vending machine companies go to work for you.

Posted on March 1, 2021 | by Phil Masters

The Right Coach for Your Vending Business

When you work with Vending.com, you are working with a trusted manufacturer with over 90 years of vending experience. Whether you are a seasoned vending professional or you are brand new to the industry, Vending.com can match you with a coach to provide you with vending machine business advice and help you meet your vending goals.

For vending business owners, Vending.com has the right vending machine models and financing programs to maximize your vending profits and reach your full potential. Our vending machine financing plans are catered to each business owner. No business is the same, so why should financing be the same? With a quick credit approval process and plans of up to 48 months, our flexible financing options are specialized to increase sales.

New to the vending business and are unsure of where to start? No problem! Once you have secured your vending location, Vending.com coaches will be happy to give you vending machine business advice and help educate you on the right model and machine for that location. If you are having problems finding the right location, we recommend starting with someone you know who has their own business, such as friends and family.

Whatever your vending goals may be, Vending.com is ready to work with you to reach them. In addition to our state-of-the-art machines and financing options, we offer factory-direct pricing and professional staff to coach you every step of the way with professional vending machine business advice. When you purchase a vending machine from us, you receive a factory warranty and a lifetime of technical support.

Whether you are new to vending or have been here for years, Vending.com can help you every step of the way. For additional questions, please call 1-800-548-1982.

Posted on January 12, 2021 | by Phil Masters

New Kiosks Convert Gift Cards to Cash

Chances are you have used a credit gift card to buy treats at your local snack machine, but you probably never used gift cards like this. According to The Columbus Dispatch, a new gift card exchange vending machine kiosk in grocery stores is giving out cash in exchange for unwanted gift cards with leftover value. Those that frequent the central Ohio Giant Eagle grocery store will find an all new machine titled Alula, which comes from the same people responsible for popular products such as Coinstar and Redbox. How does this all work? Exactly how it sounds. All you need to do is insert your unwanted gift card in the vending machine kiosk and you will immediately receive cash compensation that matches the value on the gift card. According to Alula’s marketing manager, this unique gift card to cash machine is an exciting way to draw people into their local grocery store when they normally wouldn’t. This innovative vending machine formula has worked with the aformentioned Redbox and Coinstar devices and people are often left with unused gift card value, so this new venture could very likely be a success. Supermarkets and snack vending machines have gone hand in hand since the gumball days, and it is exciting to see their relationship reach a level where anything from movies to cash can be procured from supermarket machines. What could be next?

Prepare for Winter with UVend Technology

Posted on October 4, 2021 | by Phil Masters

Are You Prepared for Winter?

The cold, winter months are going to be here before we know it. Not only does this mean colder weather, but it means that we will see an uptick in illness, whether it be a cold, the flu or COVID-19. Believe it or not, there is a lot that can be done with existing or new vending machines for sale in the winter to ensure your customers are satisfied.

MarketOne Coffee Vending Machine

For many customers, the cold weather settling in means that they crave a hot beverage in order to keep them warm. Enter the new MarketOne Coffee Vending Machine. It features a European design and a state-of-the-art brewing system for customers to receive coffee shop-quality from a vending machine with the push of a button. Keep customers warm by giving them the option to choose from up to 34 hot beverage combination options of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, espresso and more.

UVend Technology

Give customers and employees the safer vending experience they have been craving with UVend Technology. UVend Technology, a patent-pending UVC light sanitization device, makes the high-touch surfaces of vending machines safer by quickly killing or inactivating up to 99.9% of some of the most common viruses and bacteria, including influenza and COVID-19.

To provide an extra layer of protection, UVend Technology features an automated motion sensor and visible blue light. The motion sensor ensures no presence is detected in front of the machine before activating and the blue light indicates quick sanitization is in process, allowing the machine’s keypad and delivery door to be sanitized after almost every use.

Sani-Center Vending Machine

Vending.com’s Sani-Center PPE Vending Machine limits face-to-face interaction by safely dispensing cleaning supplies, medical masks, hand sanitizers, wipes and more to customers. It allows customers safe access to supplies they need while generating revenue for your business. One of the biggest Sani-Center benefits is the capability for customers to purchase items through a cashless card reader or mobile payment platform, further reducing direct contact with the vending machine.

Looking for more ways to give your customers an extra layer of protection during the winter months? Call 1-800-548-1982.