Friday, January 29, 2010

Steps Involved In Starting A Vending Business

Vending is both a user and operator friendly business. How? It does not ask its operator to have specific knowledge or skill set for taking up this business. When it comes to customers, vending machines are renowned for their instant service and convenience. Thus these machines strike a balance between both its users and operators.

Lured by its high profit margins and guaranteed returns, more and more operators are keen towards taking up this business. However, before starting, it is imperative that you acquire proper knowledge about the ins and outs of this business. All this and more information related to vending business can be obtained by conducting a thorough market research.

There is a step by step and careful approach which operators need to follow before starting this business. The same is mentioned below:

• Analysing the start up cost is one of the important aspects of planning. The start up cost of vending business will depend upon two factors: the type of vending machine you use and the number of machines you would like to start with. When you are starting this business for the first time, choose a product that is popular and also has maximum demand. For instance: if you are targeting children, then candy or gumball machine is appropriate for you. Try to purchase a new vending machine that is small and less expensive. Candies are very popular among kids and this machine is capable of giving you $127.50 per week. Once you have made enough money, you can acquire some more and different kind of machines.

• Location of vending machine is also very crucial. This is one factor that contributes to the success of your business. Always prefer locations with huge customer traffic. These places include schools, large companies, restaurants, shopping malls, and bus and railway stations. Make sure that the place meets all your requirements. It should be easily accessible, easy to identify and should have a source for power supply. Since ‘there is no gain without any pain’, identify locations yourself or take the help of Planet Antares expert staff for best guidance.

• The price of the product you choose to vend would also influence your business. The locality in which you place your machine influences pricing of your product. For instance: If you place your machine in a locality dominated by middle class customers, there is no use pricing a product high. These products would be out of there reach and hence your sales may get affected.

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Monday, January 25, 2010

How to Choose the Right Kind of Product for Your Vending Machine?

A lot of care and precaution needs to be taken while choosing products for your vending machine. Since your product selection would determine the success or failure of your business. Give more priority to those products that would meet your customer requirements. This is important in order to create an instinct in people to buy products from your machine.

To start with, you need to do an account analysis that will determine what all things you need to include in your vending business in order to meet customer expectations. One common mistake committed by operators is to fill their machines with almost any item that is available. These operators are under the assumption that customers will buy irrespective of whatever you offer in your machines.

If you are of the same view point, you are thoroughly mistaken. Modern customers are very smart and are particular about what they want. They are ever ready to spend more money buying products of their choice from far off places rather than compromising. Hence plan your moves carefully.

Since location also determines on the kind of products to be offered, analyse your demographics. Find out who all would be using your machine? Is the place where you have installed your machine dominated by youngsters, male, female, children, aged people, businessmen or students? All this information should be collected well in advance. Since vending is a customer oriented business, the product you would offer for sale is greatly influenced by demographic factors as mentioned above.

The financial capability of people also influences the sale of your product. For instance: there is no point locating your machine in a middle class locality and offering a very costly item. Undoubtedly there will not be any kind of sales. Hence it is very important for the operator to make smart and diligent moves while stocking his machines with products.
For more information on vending business contact Planet Antares staff and get complete guidance on starting your own business.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

How to Make Vending Business a Big Success?

In today’s competitive world, “survival of the fittest” holds well as only those people who are able to withstand severe competition are able to sustain in the market creating a unique identity for them while others are washed away. Vending undoubtedly gives you financial stability and self confidence. But similar to other business models, it does not guarantee success. You need to work hard and strive a lot to become successful in this business.

However, it is imperative that the operator conducts a thorough market research before starting the business on his own. Vending business needs a pre planned and careful approach. To begin with operator needs to set individual goals. Every successful operator needs to have a predetermined goal in his mind whenever he takes up any business.

Once you have set a goal, start planning your business. What is your target segment? Which products would you like to vend? Would you stick to single product or try multiple products? What equipment you need? What is your budget? How would you go about placing your machines in various locations? Do you require any software? All these and many more questions help you come up with a plan of action.

This detailed research enables you to understand the existing market scenario by finding out minute details such as existing operators, their pricing strategies, various brands of vending machines used by them, how to maintain these machines? How to get them refilled? How frequently these machines are being used? These questions will help you in choosing a unique vending machine that sets you apart from your competitors.

Last and most important aspect for making this business a success is meeting the requirements of customers. Vending is completely a customer oriented business. So you need to keep your-self updated with their changing needs and requirements on a timely basis and Planet Antares can help you in just that. Since a satisfied customer would not only boost your sales by repeat purchasing but also remain loyal for a life time.

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Monday, January 18, 2010

Customer Expectations from Vending Machines

In these testing times, several companies have been washed away unable to bear economic fluctuations. The few others left behind now have to live up to their target audience expectations in order to survive in this market.

What is that customers look for? What do they want? What can keep them happy or satisfied? Every operator needs to find answers to these questions before he or she take up vending business. Always remember that customer is the boss and he can never be wrong. Take his feedback on a regular basis. This helps you to understand his changing tastes and preferences and introduce new products that meet his requirements. Understanding customer psychology is also very important. In fact, this is also one of the marketing strategies that help you sustain competition and stay ahead in the market.

A typical customer would always be drawn to:

• Latest and attractive products: Market keeps changing and so does customer requirements. What is in demand today would be outdated within very few days. Besides this fact, modern customers are keen towards new and attractive models or features. So as an vending operator you need to keep providing them with latest products.

• Stylish looks: First impression is the best impression. This holds good even for vending business especially if you are targeting youngsters. These guys generally get carried away by stylish or hep looking products. Planet Antares machines are stylish and simple to operate. Place your products in these machines and see an immediate increase in sales.

• Branded and high quality products: Brand consciousness is on the rise. Increase in cost of living and spending ability of customers is making them more particular about brands. What was once given least priority is now the modern mantra. It has been time tested and proved that sales of branded items is more when compared to unbranded ones. So, if you have been offering unbranded products till now, make sure you add branded stuff to your product line. This will not only boost your sales but also attract more customers.

• Easy to use products: Why are customers switching to vending machines? The answer is quite simple. Convenience and instant service are the two features that draw customers towards these machines. So make sure that the operation of this machine is kept very simple.

• Fast and instant services: It is the primary responsibility of every operator to ensure that his machine is in good working condition. Even if there is any break down, it has to be attended immediately. Proper maintenance ensures efficient performance. Thus customers can get benefited by quick and uninterrupted services.

These aspects of born in mind can make your business a huge success.

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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Glass Front Vending Machines from planet Antares

With growing demand for vending, several new and innovative machines have been introduced. Vending has proven to be one of the ideal models for making money. In fact this is the only business that ensures guaranteed returns without putting in long tedious hours unlike other businesses. This is in-fact the only business that gives you flexibility and freedom to pursue other opportunities.

Your choice of machine is the key for your success. Several models of vending machines are available in the market. Drop shelf machines were initially used by operators for selling single products. Electronic drop shelf machines came next and later came glass front vending machines. Of course each of these has its own benefits.

Of all these glass front vending from Planet Antares is one of the latest entrants in vending industry. Over the last few years, these machines have proved to be far more beneficial when compared to closed ones. Let us look at some of these benefits:

• Increase sales: It is believed that glass front vending machines are capable of generating more sales when compared to closed ones. One of the reasons being, customers can actually have a glance of the products which they are about to purchase. These machines have proved to be a great success in busy locations.

• Features: Glass front vending machines come with several attractive features like LED illuminators, pull forward trays, easy dispensing trays and refrigeration units.

• Shelf space: More products can be marketed in this small shelf space when compared to other drop shelf units.

• Customer association: Customer participation and involvement is more in a glass front vending machine in comparison with closed ones.

• Wastage: The possibility of products getting wasted is very low in a glass front vending machine. The reason being electronic tracking system.

• Choice: Customers have a wider choice because this machine can accommodate more products in it.

• Branded items: Glass front vending machines are ideal for vending branded products.

So, next time you look for stating or expanding your business, go for glass front vending machine.

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Monday, January 11, 2010

Starting a Vending Business is As Simple as 1-2-3

The only business venture that can be taken up without any prior business exposure and with minimum investment is vending. With increasing dependency on vending machines, several new models with updated features are being introduced into the market. The choice of these machines depends on the financial limitations, location, and kind of products to be vended and target customers.

How do these factors influence the kind of machine you purchase? This can be understood by looking at the influence of each factor in detail.

• Financial limitations: Budgetary limitations play crucial role in almost all kinds of business. Operators always have two choices when it comes to purchase of vending machines. You can either opt for a new machine or a used one. If your initial budget is very low, you can go for a used machine otherwise you can purchase a new one. However, the benefits of purchasing a new machine are far more superior when compared to purchasing a used one. You can consult the experts like Planet Antares while venturing into this business

• Location: Location is very powerful factor and can even dictate the success or failure of your business. Every operator dreams of placing his/her machine in those areas where is there is high customer traffic. Once you find the right location for your machine, you can enjoy low maintenance costs and high returns.

• Products vended: The kind of products you would like to vend also determines the choice of your vending machine. In case you are dispensing branded products, glass front vending machines would be more beneficial when compared to closed ones. Similarly if you are looking forward to vend more that one product at time, bulk vending machines would be suitable.

• Target customers: The choice of your machine is also influenced by your target audience. In case you are targeting kids, prefer a machine that has several animations and sound effects capable of drawing the attention of kids.

Once you have purchased the right kind of vending machine, stocked it with right kind of product and installed it in the right location, you are all set to reap the benefits. Isn’t it simple?

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Vending- A Perfect Home Based Business

There can be nothing more satisfying that operating your own business from the door step of your home. Are you vexed up trying all sorts of home based businesses? Have you ever tried your hand at a vending business? Yes, vending. It is one of the most simple and easy to operate business that can be taken up absolutely by anyone.

The main highlights of this business which make it one of its kinds are low capital investment, no prerequisite qualifications or skills, ease of operation, complete cash business, high profit margins, complete cash based business and many more. You no more need to worry about reaching your office on time or how to spend some quality time with your family.

A hassle free solution to all these problems would be taking up a home based business. Now which business to take up would be the prime concern of most prospective entrepreneurs? Vending is perfect due to the below mentioned aspects:

• Flexibility of time: You are your own master. Moreover, there are no set time limits. You services can be offered round the clock.

• Existing concept: Home based business is not at all a new concept. The name alone varies but same kind of service is offered across the globe.

• All you need to do is to purchase a brand new machine, stock it with sufficient quality of items and install in most appropriate place. The rest would be assured by the company.

• This business can be taken up by any member of the family. All you need is to spare few hours in a week and ensure that there is no repair or service related issues.

• A home based business gives his/her operator complete financial independence backed up by freedom and flexibility to work at your own pace.

Besides the above mentioned facts, vending is the only business that allows you to enjoy high returns without the fear of running into bad debts as this is a cah based business.

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