Monday, February 23, 2009

Customer Awareness About Vending

Lack of consumer awareness and education has been a major reason for the loss of potential customers of the vending industry. Recently, a study aimed to determine vending machine consumer motives for purchase decisions. Additionally, it examined the potential areas to expand vending machine use and the general public’s awareness of new vending machine technology and products.

Essentially, Planet Antares vending operators should try to make consumers informed about the products being vended as well as any technology that they may have decided to incorporate in their vending business.

Some of the findings in the recent study regarding consumer perceptions on vending are listed below.

• For most customers of vending machines, the main motivation for vending machine purchases was convenience and ease of buying from vending machines.

• A lot of consumers are reluctant to make vending machine purchases because of poor selection and the misconception that vending machines usually do not offer healthy options. With Planet Antares snack and beverage vending machines, you will be assured of the right product selection to suit the location.

• The success of your vending business also depends on brand recognition. Consumers expressed high brand loyalty. They usually make purchases of familiar items from vending machines. Branded items are highly visible in glass front vending machine like those offered by Planet Antares vending machines.

• Surprisingly, majority of vending machine consumers are unaware of new vending machine technology. You can offer cashless payment options since it makes the whole buying process more convenient.

• Potential vending machine consumers hesitate to make vending machine purchases because they believe that vending machines do not offer healthy products and that the general prices of vending machine products are on the higher side.

One of the most important responsibilities of Planet Antares vending operators is to set such misconceptions straight. Consumers need to understand that they can find health products in Planet Antares vending machines and that a good vending operator will not sell the snacks and beverages at higher prices than the retail market.

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Income Collection As A Vending Business Operation

Vending machine operators have to look after various functions, one of them being the collection of all-cash income. Right from the moment of installation, your Planet Antares vending machines will start making money. The customers will just have to insert coins or notes in the machine and the required products will be dispensed.

Servicing the vending accounts includes this function of cash collection. If your vending machines are located in apt places and easily accessible by customers, you will have enough income to collect each time you visit your vending route.

Apart from vending, majority of the vending machine operators have a regular job that provides them primary income. So, cash collection can be done on weekly or monthly basis. Whenever you get time from your job, take the time to collect cash from equipment. This will also have to be done when you want to repair the vending machine or a certain component like the coin acceptor.

The frequency of cash collection depends on the performance of your vending machines at different locations. Planet Antares vending machines are high quality, durable machines that allow you to make great profits without too much investment.

If your vending machines are installed in high traffic locations that is frequented regularly, you must collect cash at fixed intervals. However, a less popular location can be visited for cash collection after longer gaps in time.

For vendors who have more than one vending machine at a location, it may not be easy or even safe to collect cash from them at a single day. In such a case, you can set a locked deposit box in the vending machine or get a sales outlet operator to deliver the cash. Another option is to use a night depository box.

Planet Antares vending machines are durable equipment that can really increase the potential for earning high profits. These ensure smoother operations, better customer service and higher sales. So, you will need to plan your visits frequently to collect cash from such high performing equipment.

A good idea is to carry a money bag to the vending locations to keep the collected cash. Be alert because people may be watching your activity. In order to avoid theft, keep changing the day of your visit to various vending locations for cash collection. Use a sound security system to ensure that your money doesn’t get stolen as well as protect your vending machine from damage.

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Monday, February 2, 2009

Changes In Plans By Planet Antares Candy Vendors

In recent times, changes in key supplier’s programs have forced Planet Antares vending operators to review their plans in the candy vending segment of the vending business. Already, they have suffered one round of price increases, only to be faced with another one now.

The frequent price hikes have made it essential for vending operators to rethink their buying plans for candy products. Most of them are of the opinion that they cannot raise prices more than they already have, due to the competitive pressure. On the other hand, certain vending operators have considered larger size bars to allow them to provide greater value for a higher price.

Although most vending operators are still not sure about their plans, they realize that there may be need for more changes to the candy bar offerings in future since the introduction of the glass front Planet Antares snac/candy vending machines.

Several vending operators are looking forward to increase in price points before they start offering large sized candy in their vending machines. You can consider selling lesser candy in your vending machines by decreasing the candy facings from two shelves to one and a half. If candy is not an important, popular product that affects your business profitability, this can work for you.

Of course, you need to keep aside a certain amount of funds for changing candy spirals to larger snack spirals. In the long term, this cost will be worthwhile for your Planet Antares vending business. You must also look for snack companies and suppliers that are willing to offer incentives in exchange for guaranteed placements.

Eventually, the profitability of your vending business will not be compromised with higher priced items. Initially, certain customers may complain about the rising prices of products. However, Planet Antares vending operators have found the number of such customers to be less than expected indicating a positive change in customer response towards rising prices.

In spite of these factors, large sized candy is finding popularity and huge market share and shows potential for great growth and profitability. Planet Antares vending operators must take advantage of this trend to ensure that their vending business will definitely generate higher returns and more sales.

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