Sally Cohen, Author at GAD Vending

2nd November 2022

Vending – Brand Extension and New Marketing Opportunities

Vending – Brand Extension and New Marketing Opportunities https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/YSL-vending-machine.jpg 1100 450 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/YSL-vending-machine.jpg 2nd November 2022 25th October 2022

Vending: Not Just for Vending

How Convenience Services is Expanding

Vending: it’s not just for vending anymore. As retailers and brands look for ways to extend their reach and distribute their products in new ways, they’re turning to vending for customized merchandising solutions. A trend driven by both retailers and end users seeking self-service, vending operators are presented with new market opportunities to deploy the equipment they’ve been using for years in a whole new way.

Brand Extension

How Custom Vending Can Play a Role

Auto Vending Specialists (AVS), an Australian equipment distributor, has successfully used vending for companies seeking to deploy and extend their brands in unique ways. Some of the world’s leading retailers, including Moet, Armani, Lancôme, and Yves Saint Laurent, have partnered with AVS to produce custom vending machines that both promote their brands and delight their customers.

Their most recognizable project supported wine producer Moet with a custom vending machine. Designed to dispense single-serving champagne bottles, the fully branded vending machines debuted at high-end events and venues. Vending gave Moet an interactive way to take their brand and their product directly to the end customer.

The custom machine program resulted in an uplift for AVS revenue and awareness. To support the custom requests, many of which are for pop-up or temporary events, the AVS model enables companies and brands to rent the machines. This allows them to use the same equipment from event to event, with custom wraps and graphics for each. AVS founder, Basil Hourmouzis, explained that while AVS works with multiple machine manufacturers, they lean on CPI machines for custom events. The flexibility and brand reach enabled by the custom machines’ graphics and digital media screens delivers extra value to retailers.

Big Branding Opportunities

Vending’s Custom Future

Hourmouzis believes that the trend towards non-traditional vending will continue to increase over the years, as retailers look for new ways to distribute and promote their products and brands. Both distributors and operators should accommodate these changing needs, increasing the flexibility of their offerings to support clientele beyond the traditional convenience services market. Increased consumer reliance on self-service will mean increased demands from brands looking for new options to stay engaged with their customers.

31st October 2022

Home Gameroom

Match your costume to your pinball….

Match your costume to your pinball…. https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GAD-Stocks-costume.png 940 788 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GAD-Stocks-costume.png 31st October 2022 26th October 2022

Taking Halloween very, very seriously – these folks have matched their Halloween costume to their favorite pinball. Thanks for sharing your photos!

GAD has a number of great pinball in stock to complete the picture. Call us for a current list.

In coming pinball includes Stern’s 007 Bond collection.

In stock (as if writing this post):

Oktoberfest
Legends of Valhalla Deluxe
Guns N Roses LE
Cactus Canyon SE
Led Zeppelin Pro
Led Zeppelin Premium
Mandalorian Premium
Mandalorian Pro
Star Wars Premium

25th October 2022

Legends of Valhalla Classic Pinball

Legends of Valhalla Classic Pinball https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/inbound-valhalla.png 940 788 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/inbound-valhalla.png 25th October 2022 25th October 2022

Legends of Valhalla is an immersive pinball machine which brings the player into the world of the Norse gods and other Viking mythology. The game is a standard body design, utilizing three flippers offering a variety of fast and unique shots, including 3 metal ramps. The game rules have a variety of objectives that the player must either start or complete as they work their way through the game attempting to not only reach the wizard mode Valhalla, the majestic hall of dead Vikings, but also advance to the final epic battle known as Ragnarok, the super wizard mode.

Legends of Valhalla, designed by Riot Pinball, joins a ever stronger catalog by American Pinball. Legends of Valhalla joins Hot Wheels, Houdini, and Oktoberfest in offering the pinball public great games for the entire family.

Order your home or office game room pinball from GAD today!

20th October 2022

Vending Payment Options: What Customers Want

Vending Payment Options: What Customers Want https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AdobeStock_512835730-scaled.jpeg 2048 1365 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AdobeStock_512835730-scaled.jpeg 20th October 2022 21st September 2022

Cash Payment Preferences

Options, options, options: consumers demand them in everything that touches their lives. I’m sure you don’t need to be reminded about the proliferation of the seemingly never-ending turnover of snack and drink options in your warehouses and machines.

Well, the latest Federal Reserve Diary of Consumer Payment Choice has been published and, once again, confirms that consumers expect options in payment methods when making an in-person purchase. The continued rise in digital payment methods is evident from the study, but so is the importance of (and preference) for cash payment as an option.

Where Cash Counts

Consumers don’t look at the decision to use cash or a digital payment type as zero-sum. And, this is particularly true for transactions under $10, where cash is used 59% of the time according to another study by Cardtronics. Consumers expect options in the goods and services they purchase, as well as how they purchase those goods and services.

In that 2018 Health of Cash study by Cardtronics, 1000 consumers aged 18 and over were surveyed on their in-person (not online) spending preferences. 73% of those consumers reported using cash regularly despite other forms of payment being available, and nearly 45% said they would stop going to a store or restaurant if it stopped accepting cash. The findings also concluded that 56% of people use cash for purchase amounts of $30 or less, just slightly below the 59% for purchases $10 or less.

In that same Cardtronics study, I was surprised to read that 81% of consumers use cash as frequently, if not more, than they did last year. I’ve read an increasing amount of articles describing cash as a budgeting tool for the younger generations—a demographic we don’t think of as having any meaningful interactions with cash. Turns out, what’s old is new again—just like my college clothes, long ago discarded in the back of my closet. If they only still fit…

Going Steady with Cash

The continued use of cash is also reflected in data on ATM usage. In 2018, six in 10 people (59%) reported withdrawing money from an ATM monthly or more frequently, according to a Mercator Advisory Group report. This rate remains unchanged from a few years ago, as Mercator found that six in 10 people used an ATM at least monthly in 2016, showing that ATM usage remains stable.

Even millennials are withdrawing cash at high rates. That same Mercator report found that 53% of people aged 18 to 34 reported at least monthly ATM usage. The report also found that young adults are also more willing to try alternative authentication methods including the use of biometric data. It’s hard to conclude against cash remaining a preferred, if not desired, payment option with so many young people relying on ATMs to withdraw cash at least a few times a month.

Looking back to the Federal Reserve study, if we compare a 2013 Consumer Diary study to the 2018 edition, it is interesting how little has changed. Back in 2013, the majority of purchases (across all demographic groups) $10 or under were made using cash; in 2018, the same remains true. Debit card usage continues to grow, but only becomes dominant in transactions exceeding $25.

Coping in a Cashless Society

Another demographic to consider is the unbanked. According to a late 2017 survey by the FDIC, one in four US households are unbanked or underbanked—referring to people who don’t have a bank account, or only use their account for direct deposits, and immediately withdraw the balance. This population only transacts in cash, and carries a significant amount of buying power. And, the younger generations we mentioned before? The population aged 15-34 makes up the largest portion of the unbanked and underbanked. We see this more than ever, with some cities now reacting by mandating retailers accept cash in an effort to protect the unbanked and underbanked as the trend of stores going completely cashless rises. My very own city of Philadelphia just passed a similar law prohibiting “cashless only” retail operations.

A route driver or technician approaches a bank of machines, and can instantly see, in simple green, yellow or red icons, the health status of every payment peripheral in those machines. They can see all alarms in priority sequence to help the tech work through the tasks at hand. And best of all, any alarm automatically links to a series of written troubleshooting steps or videos to walk anyone through to resolution.

What This All Means for Vending

We are a convenience services industry, delivering outstanding products and services every day. Cleaned, filled, and working isn’t enough to drive sales growth. Operators need to ensure every potential vend patron can make a purchase at machines, with no barriers. While we all get excited about the possibilities of cashless (as we should—connectivity does amazing things for machine efficiencies and customer experience), we can’t assume that because cashless is great, cash no longer is. Cash isn’t going anywhere, and operators are wise to remember this. A great operation continues to be a diversified one.

We always say it, because it’s always true: from cash to credit to mobile and beyond, design your operation to take whatever is in the consumer’s wallet.

18th October 2022

Home Gameroom

New Golden Tee PGA Home Games with New Courses

New Golden Tee PGA Home Games with New Courses https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GT-home-standard-1.png 1080 1080 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GT-home-standard-1.png 18th October 2022 4th October 2022

New Courses on Golden Tee Home PGA Tour Clubhouse Editions

New course both real and imagined on these redesigned home version Golden Tee PGA Tour Clubhouse editions.

TPC Courses:

Sawgrass
Deere Run
Boston
Scottsdale
Louisiana
Potomac

Imagined Courses:

Hollywood Hills
Nihon Yoru
Petra
Norddalen
Easter Island

More courses to play. More options for avatars, equipment and options. More live rankings, family play and score keeping options. Better cabinets and screens.

GAD is an authorized, stocking dealer. Both Standard and Deluxe versions are in stock or on the way. Let us help you with what the various differences are, give you a full price quote and you can save by picking up your game yourself at one of our Midwest warehouses (Kansas City, Des Moines or Omaha).

Standard Golden Tee Home Version PGA Tour Clubhouse Edition

Same Game You Know and Love, Now with Real Courses!

New, Reimagined Cabinet
Log in to games with groundbreaking NFC check in; OR use the new 5-inch touchscreen. Plus, keep your drink secure with all-new cupholders positioned on the cabinet.

REAL PGA TOUR Courses
Play Hole 17 on TPC Sawgrass, the most famous hole in golf and six PGA TOUR courses overall. All six tournament stops were created using real topography data. Every blade of grass is accounted for!

More Than 100 Courses Overall
From the real to the fantasy, tee off on more than 100 completely original designs that will take players to courses around the globe.

Online Play Available
Unlock new games modes, courses and features by going online. A FREE subscription is included with every cabinet purchase! Gain access to exclusive Events, the all-new Club Pass and more!

Golden Tee PGA Tour Clubhouse Standard Edition includes:

NFC reader
5″ Touchscreen
Wi-Fi enabled
Cupholders

55″ 4K TV is not included with the purchase of the GT PGA TOUR Clubhouse Standard Edition. Any size 4K TV will work with the GT PGA TOUR game, but 4K is required

Available at GAD for pre-order, pick up or delivery.

Deluxe Golden Tee Home Version PGA Tour Clubhouse Edition

Same Game You Know and Love, Now with Real Courses!

New, Reimagined Cabinet
Log in to games with groundbreaking NFC check in; OR use the new 5-inch touchscreen. Plus, keep your drink secure with all-new cupholders positioned on the cabinet.

More Than 100 Courses Overall
From the real to the fantasy, tee off on more than 100 completely original designs that will take players to courses around the globe.

Golden Tee PGA Tour Clubhouse Deluxe Edition includes:

NFC reader
5″ Touchscreen
Wi-Fi enabled
GT PGA TOUR Marquee
Illuminated Shroud
Illuminated Cupholders
TV Stand
Side Panels

55″ 4K TV is not included with the purchase of the GT PGA TOUR Clubhouse Deluxe Edition. Any size 4K TV will work with the GT PGA TOUR game, but 4K is required

Available at GAD for pre-order, pick up or delivery.

13th October 2022

Vending Equipment

Vending Operators: Raising the Bar to Win

Vending Operators: Raising the Bar to Win https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AdobeStock_467087300-scaled.jpeg 2048 1365 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AdobeStock_467087300-scaled.jpeg 13th October 2022 4th October 2022

Rethinking Vending Standards

“Cleaned, Filled, and Working” is No Longer Enough

In vending, the tried-and-true mantra that measured the success of a machine has long been “cleaned, filled, and working.” But in a time of customer empowerment wherein 73% of customers will stop doing business with a brand after three or fewer experiences, vending operators will be forced to reevaluate what makes a good experience at their machine. As consumers continue to rely on and seek out self-service experiences, customer engagement and attraction will prove to be essential elements of a vending business.

Crane Media Network, CPI’s out-of-home digital advertising network, is comprised of more than 40k MEDIA vending machine screens nationwide and enables operators to earn additional revenue through opt-in use of their screened devices to display 3rd party advertisements. While the network works as a powerful tool for consumer brands looking to extend their out-of-home advertising presence, the Crane MEDIA platform gives operators engaging content that allows them to move products, influence user behavior, and, most importantly, win new business.

IntelFoods, a long-time customer of CPI, has been earning additional revenue participating in Medianet for over 8 years. Based out of New York City, IntelFoods runs almost 400 machines across high-traffic locations, such as residential buildings, college campuses, and stadiums. Stan Rubinov, COO of IntelFoods, is a longtime advocate of CPI’s MEDIA2 platform, and the extended engagement it provides with Medianet. Rubinov gave details on how Medianet not only helps him engage customers, but also grow his business.

Raising the Bar on Revenue Potential

How MEDIA2 Delivers More

The MEDIA2 platform, with its dynamic content, has provided a unique way to directly engage consumers for years. Following a year where customers are actively seeking alternatives to traditional retail stores, this level of dynamic engagement is more critical than ever.

According to Rubinov, engaging customers provides operators with advantages that surpass the financial benefit. Rubinov knows that in the low-margin vending industry it’s crucial to look for additional revenue opportunities. In most cases, though, the digital media aspect is key to getting through the door with new end-location customers. “The intangible part,” Rubinov says, “is that you have certain content on the screen that attracts people…it’s the appeal of content on the machine itself, the advertisement functionality” that gets people up in front of the machine. According to Rubinov, not only does digital media attract customers purchasing from the machine, but it also attracts locations looking for modern ways to add value for their customers, residents, and employees.

The operators are not the only ones benefitting from Medianet’s services. End users enjoy the variety of displays that are presented on the screens as well. In a year where digital engagement skyrocketed, Medianet survey found that 78% of the respondents stated that they interact with QR Codes when they encounter them—whether they need to or not. Media interaction is quickly advancing from a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must have’.

Rubinov further elaborated on this point, saying that in the past year where self-service options were utilized more than ever, IntelFoods’ Medianet machines consistently outperformed their non-media machines. According to a study done by a national developer, there was a “definite uptick” in traffic at the Medianet machines in comparison to the standard vending machines.

Becoming Essential

Why Digital Media Will Drive the Future of Customer Engagement

Rubinov believes machines offering media and digital engagement will be a staple in vending services soon, just as cashless components are now. As Rubinov reflected, operators were once skeptical of the need to install cashless components to their machines. Now? It’s unlikely to see a machine without a full suite of cashless acceptance. “A lot of people are hesitant to commit to the cost and change… in the future [MEDIA machines] will be a given,” says Rubinov.

As operators look to invest in technology, they should remember to look beyond connectivity and payment. They should look back to the heart of vending: the machine itself. When it comes to engaging consumers, the machine, the first touchpoint, is more important than ever.

10th October 2022

Home Gameroom

What Should You Add to Your Home Game Room?

What Should You Add to Your Home Game Room? https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/in-stock-3.png 940 788 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/in-stock-3.png 10th October 2022 22nd September 2022

A home game room can be as simple as the niche under the stairs or as elaborate as you can imagine.

These are some of the ideas you should consider:

What kind of space do you have?
- Basement, attic, garage, bedroom, or other unused space.
How much space does my ultimate game need?
- Darts require a 5′ wide x 11 ‘ long to safely play.
- For an average machine dimensions are 29″ wide x 76″ tall x 56″ deep. Make sure you can fit the machine through the door.
- Rule of thumb for shuffleboard is to add 2′ to each side of the table plus 3′ at either end to the dimensions of the table.
- Pool Table minimum space is 14′ x 18′. (Yes, GAD has commercial grade pool tables too.)
What game should I buy?
- Personal taste.
- Who’s going to play? Adults, kids, mix?
Relax the Space
- You should consider where a TV is going. Or at least one TV.
- Sofa or other relax space.
- Bar or fridge.
- Basketball station.
Lighting
- Many don’t think of lighting or skimp, but don’t! You’ll want to see the silver ball, darts or pool angles to completely enjoy your games.

At GAD we’ve seen many amazing game rooms. And, we are happy to help you answer the preliminary design questions before you commit to your project.

6th October 2022

Bond. James Bond. (As only Stern can do…)

Bond. James Bond. (As only Stern can do…) https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/007-pro.png 940 788 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/007-pro.png 6th October 2022 4th October 2022

Bond. James Bond.

What a fabulous famous line. So, how did Stern take the volume of 007 movies and make 4 classic pinball machines? It was a tough duty but one Stern did with great reverence to the franchise.

There are 4 versions available – Pro, Premium, Limited and a (coming soon) 60th Anniversary Limited Edition.

Stern decided to take the favorite Bond, Sean Connery, as the prime focus of these games. Underwater Bond fight. The Austin Martin. The Bond girls, the villain’s, and Spectre.

How easy is it to get your own Stern pinball game to your home? Do any combination of these steps:

Take a look at the games on Stern’s website.
Go play at a commercial location – Stern’s Pinball Locator.
Call GAD and talk with one of our Stern experts.
- Find out about the various versions.
- Get a full quote.
- Order your game.
- Pick up or arrange for delivery.

4th October 2022

Home Gameroom

New! Golden Tee PGA Home Games

New! Golden Tee PGA Home Games https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GT-Deluxe.png 1080 1080 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GT-Deluxe.png 4th October 2022 4th October 2022

Standard Golden Tee Home Version PGA Tour Clubhouse Edition

Same Game You Know and Love, Now with Real Courses!

New, Reimagined Cabinet
Log in to games with groundbreaking NFC check in; OR use the new 5-inch touchscreen. Plus, keep your drink secure with all-new cupholders positioned on the cabinet.

More Than 100 Courses Overall
From the real to the fantasy, tee off on more than 100 completely original designs that will take players to courses around the globe.

Golden Tee PGA Tour Clubhouse Standard Edition includes:

NFC reader
5″ Touchscreen
Wi-Fi enabled
Cupholders

55″ 4K TV is not included with the purchase of the GT PGA TOUR Clubhouse Standard Edition. Any size 4K TV will work with the GT PGA TOUR game, but 4K is required

Available at GAD for pre-order, pick up or delivery.

Deluxe Golden Tee Home Version PGA Tour Clubhouse Edition

Same Game You Know and Love, Now with Real Courses!

New, Reimagined Cabinet
Log in to games with groundbreaking NFC check in; OR use the new 5-inch touchscreen. Plus, keep your drink secure with all-new cupholders positioned on the cabinet.

More Than 100 Courses Overall
From the real to the fantasy, tee off on more than 100 completely original designs that will take players to courses around the globe.

Golden Tee PGA Tour Clubhouse Deluxe Edition includes:

NFC reader
5″ Touchscreen
Wi-Fi enabled
GT PGA TOUR Marquee
Illuminated Shroud
Illuminated Cupholders
TV Stand
Side Panels

55″ 4K TV is not included with the purchase of the GT PGA TOUR Clubhouse Deluxe Edition. Any size 4K TV will work with the GT PGA TOUR game, but 4K is required

Available at GAD for pre-order, pick up or delivery.

2nd October 2022

Home Gameroom

Stern Insider Connected – Home Set Up Answers

Stern Insider Connected – Home Set Up Answers https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Insider.jpg 446 317 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Insider.jpg 2nd October 2022 22nd September 2022

With Stern Insider Connected Home Team, users’ home pinball machines will remember them. Owners will be able to set standard home Insider Connected user profiles that are always available without needing a phone to scan in.

Your guests won’t be left out either. When guests scan into a Home Team enabled machine their profile will be temporarily remembered for rapid replays, until they log out or the machine is turned off. Turning on Home Team can be done through the service menu on free play machines and accessed by pressing the flipper buttons before starting a game.

GET CONNECTED AND PLAY! http://sternpinball.com/insider
LOCATE TO PLAY – https://sternpinball.com/pinball-loca…
PURCHASE YOUR GAME – GAD Knows Pinball