Vending machines are licenses to print money. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American vending machine industry was valued at $8 billion.
If you're looking to make money quickly, you should consider selling a few types of vending machines. But you shouldn't be in a hurry. You need to know what the best vending machine locations are like.
What do the best locations for vending machines have? What are some businesses that could use machines? Where should you put your machines inside those businesses?
Answer these questions and you can turn a vending machine for sale into your piggy bank. Here is your quick guide.
The Qualities of the Best Locations
The best vending machine locations have a few things in common. Any site that has these qualities should draw your attention.
High Foot Traffic
Your vending machine needs to be near pedestrians. Most people in cars will not pull over to stop at a vending machine.
Your machine should attract habitual buyers who walk by the machine regularly. It should also attract impulse buyers who decide to buy something after seeing the machine. You can attract both by using colorful graphics and offering a range of products.
Easy Access
You can place your machine outdoors or indoors. The key is that people can access it easily. If you put your machine on the far end of a pavilion, it will be hard for people to walk up to it.
Low Competition
In an ideal world, your machine will be the only source of food and drinks at your location. But for the most part, your machine will be competing with other vendors.
You need to find a way to have a competitive edge. You can offer snacks that the vendors are not selling. You can make your bottles of water cheaper than theirs.
Best Business Types
To start a vending machine business, you must fill out forms and file them with your state government. You then must receive permission from a business in order to install a vending machine.
But these stipulations are not restrictive. Vending machines work for a wide variety of businesses and industries.
Amusement Parks
Amusement parks may be the ideal location for vending machines. Most people spend hours walking around the park or waiting in line. They want snacks and drinks right away, and they can get them easily from a machine.
Baby vending machines are also very useful because many people bring young children to amusement parks. A machine can supply a clean diaper or a blanket.
Hospitals
Many hospitals have cafeterias for food. Yet someone visiting a sick relative may not want to separate themselves for too long. They may want something to eat quickly, and a vending machine can be helpful.
Hospitals are another location where there are a lot of babies and young children. Try to place a machine in a waiting room for easy access.
Shopping Malls
Nearly all shopping malls have vendors that sell food and drinks. A vending machine that distributes things like diapers may be better than a food vending machine.
You will have less competition, and you have more options for locations inside the mall. Many parents bring their children to the food court, so you can place a vending machine with diapers there.
Yet you can install a vending machine that sells food. You should consider putting the machine in a location away from the food court and vendors. If there is an anchor store in the mall, place the machine there.
Schools
Most schools are restrictive about vending machines. They don't want students to have access to unhealthy food, so they don't support machines that sell soda or chips. But you can place a machine that sells water or healthy snacks in a cafeteria.
Colleges and universities may be better places than K-12 schools. Students live on campus, so they have more opportunities to access your machine.
A 2021 survey of college students found that students regard vending machines as unhealthy. You can counter this reputation by selling lifestyle products like razors or healthy snacks.
Fitness Centers
Many people go to a fitness center on a whim. They may forget to bring a water bottle or a towel. You can place a machine in a gym and sell these products at a low price.
Best Areas Inside Buildings
It's not enough to just put a vending machine in an amusement park or a college building. You have to evaluate the best spot in the location for your machine. Take a look at maps of the location and visit the location itself.
Entryways
Entryways are locations with a very high amount of foot traffic. Every person will have two opportunities to buy from your machine, once as they enter and once as they leave.
If you can't place the machine next to the entryway, you can put it in a hallway or near a reception desk. Make sure people can see it easily.
Break Areas
Break areas include picnic areas and playgrounds. You can tuck your machine into a corner of the room without taking up too much space. The machine should not be concealed behind a table or piece of furniture.
Waiting Areas
People may spend hours inside waiting rooms, especially in locations like hospitals or airports. You should install your machine next to the areas where people sit. You can tuck your machine into the corner between two rows of chairs.
The Best Locations for Vending Machines
Vending machines are quite versatile. They work for any area with a high amount of foot traffic and a good layout.
They offer quick food for people hurrying around an amusement park or through a hospital. If you're interested in selling baby products, you can also put machines in these locations.
Entryways and waiting areas tend to work best for vending machines. Clear space in front of your machines so customers can walk right up to them.
The world of vending machines is waiting for you. BabyVend offers great machines and services for entrepreneurs. Contact us today.