Benefits of Vending Machines in Your Workplace
Office managers are always looking for ways to improve efficiency. Keeping employees happy is often the best way to accomplish this. Installing workplace vending machines can be a great way to boost employee morale and focus at the same time.
With new vending machines around the office you’ll be providing a service while also indirectly increasing productivity. Here’s a few ways your office will benefit from new snack and drink vending machines.
Keep the Staff Happy
Adding vending machines to your office break room provides a convenient source of food and drink for employees. Not only will they be appreciative of this new accommodation, but it will also help keep them alert throughout the workday. Grabbing a bite to eat from snack vending machines will also help reduce the effects of fatigue after lunch.
Provide Healthy Options
Another way to keep your staff feeling good is by providing healthy food alternatives. Most people associate snack vending machines with junk food. However healthy vending is becoming increasingly popular. Replacing greasy snacks and candy with granola bars, Sun Chips, popcorn and pretzels will help your staff eat healthy. Similarly, drink vending machines can provide vitamin water and Gatorade in place of traditional sugary soft drinks.
Keep Your Staff on Hand
People leaving the office throughout the day can result in a surprising amount of wasted company time. Having food and drink options available will keep people onsite and help improve their focus. Employees can grab a pick-me-up at any time instead of having to go out and wait in line or deal with traffic. Think about how convenient a coffee vending machine will be for your office, allowing employees to get a fresh cup instantly!
Low Overhead
Possibly the best part about bringing vending machines in to your office is how easy they are to maintain. Once installed, vending machines pretty much take care of themselves. Restocking the product every once in a while is the only regular maintenance they’ll need. In time you’ll be able to cover your initial investment and start making money while aiding your employees along the way.
Getting new vending machines for your office is a win-win. You get the satisfaction of helping your employees while they enjoy the convenience of food and drink available right at their fingertips. If you’ve decided it’s time to pick up a couple new or used vending machines for your office, talk to Global Vending Group today. We have many different types of vending machines in stock and we’ll be sure to get your office space exactly what it needs
Archives for November 2018
Piranha’s Fresh & Fit Vending machines
Piranha’s NEW G636 with Healthy FRESH & FIT wrap on it. Add a “WOW” factor to your vending machines. Make them stand out! Getting NOTICED can make you more money! Ask How we can make your new Piranha Vending machines with a custom wrap.
A Healthy Vending Machine for EVERY Location?
Will your Healthy Vending Machine work for every location? Should a vending machine be ‘one size fits all’? We don’t believe so. Every location is unique. Each of your machines should be unique too.
You can’t really have a ‘one size fits all’ machine. Most healthy vending franchises sell only one type of healthy vending machine. They don’t offer any customization. Vendors will purchase 5-10 of these machines in a package deal and they sit in a storage warehouse until they find locations. What happens when the location they find wants a different configuration? The vendor would lose out on that location because they were unable to accommodate that request.
Healthy Vending Trends
Healthy vending is the wave of the future. If you have been dragging your feet with opening a healthy vending business, here is some information to get you excited to jump on the bandwagon!
Several states have legislation in the works to mandate more healthy options in vending machines, thus making vendors feel pushed to ‘go healthy’. According to the Public Health Law Center website, “experience is showing that healthy vending initiatives can actually result in increased sales, especially when pricing, placement, and other marketing strategies are used to encourage healthier purchases.” You really can be successful selling healthier options in your vending machines!
Legislators and vendors need to “focus on the common ground as much as possible — both supporters of healthy vending movements and vendors recognize that if the products do not sell, the policy will not be successful. Nutritional standards for vending machines should be evidence-based, but also should take into account what vendors are doing already, and what products are actually available in the region. The implementation plan should factor in adequate time for vendors to transition their products and acclimate customers to the changes. Marketing strategies that encourage people to purchase healthier options, including pricing, product placement, and promotional materials, should be included in policies and guidelines. Vendors should be supported through communications and outreach activities.”
Vendors are coming to understand that market forces are changing. New studies and market research continue to emerge showing that consumers increasingly want healthy food and beverages. The evidence is showing that healthy vending efforts, with planning can be just as profitable and successful — if not more — as the increasingly outdated business model based on junk food offerings.
A recent study of the Chicago Parks District’s healthier vending policy (which requires 100% of products to meet modest nutrition standards) found that the overall average monthly sales per machine increased by over 400% (from $84 to $371) during the first contract year, and that 98% of patrons surveyed stated they would buy snacks again.
Consumer Attitudes
The International Food Information Council (a food industry trade group), conducts annual surveys on consumer attitudes about food and reports on trends. Its 2014 consumer survey found that the importance of healthfulness (which has long been one of the top three factors that influence food purchasing decisions) has increased significantly, with 71% of consumers now reporting that they are influenced by healthfulness when buying food and beverages — up 15% from 2011. In contrast, taste and price (the number one and two factors) have remained relatively unchanged at 90% and 73%, respectively.
The 2016 consumer survey found that healthfulness continues to drive consumer’s choices. Many Americans are making an effort to choose more healthful options. More than three-quarters (76%) of Americans report making small changes to achieve an overall healthier diet. Eight-in-ten (81%) have made an effort to eat more fruits and vegetables, with three-in ten having made this change in the past year. Similarly, most are trying to cut calories by drinking water or low and no-calorie beverages (76%), eating more foods with whole grains (65%), cutting back on foods higher in added sugars (70%), and consuming smaller portions (66%). In fact, the average American is doing at least six of ten healthful eating behaviors. Women, college graduates, those with higher income, and those in better health were more likely to report engaging in the healthy eating behaviors.
When probed about their motivations for adopting healthy eating behaviors, most Americans say that they made the changes either to lose weight (63%) or to protect their long term health (62%).
These are some huge numbers. People, (potential customers) would rather purchase healthy options to support their long term health!! With the data and legislation momentum, healthy vending is only showing signs of growing into a large and profitable market.
Vending Machines for the Homeless
Indiana Vending Machine Dispenses Clean Clothing and Blankets to People Without Homes
Michele Debczak 11/1/2018
© iStock.com/Manuta Indiana Vending Machine Dispenses Clean Clothing and Blankets to People Without Homes
A new vending machine in Muncie, Indiana isn’t stocked with sodas and junk food. It dispenses winter basics like warm clothing, socks, and blankets, and instead of charging cash, it gives away items for free to community members who need them most, RTV6 reports.
The resource was set up outside the local fire department to service the up to 200 people without permanent homes in Delaware County, Indiana. To take advantage of it, people in need first have to register with the charity organization Bridges Community Services. There they are given free tokens that can be used to access the vending machine.
Muncie, Indiana isn’t the first place to open a free vending machine for its underprivileged residents. The organization Action Hunger installed its first machine—stocked with food, socks, and toiletries—in Nottingham, England earlier this year. Like the machine in Indiana, the resource allows people without homes to collect necessities discreetly no matter the time of day.
Every item currently in the Indiana vending machine was donated by a member of the community, and Bridges Community Services is still accepting donations.