In appreciation of our staff, we are closed Thanksgiving, the Friday after and the weekend.
Please enjoy time with your family and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving,
GAD
We appreciate the sacrifices of veterans. Thank you to our employees, vendors and customers who served.
GAD
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.
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.
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.
Hosting a pinball tournament is an excellent way to build foot traffic in the winter. This is the type of event that has become much easier with internet products like Stern’s Insider connected.
Step 1 – When
Create an event calendar that you can promote two or three events at one time. This will help you determine the best time of year to add events to bring in consistent traffic.
Step 2 – How
Have you ever wanted to run your own pinball tournament, but not sure how? This is a great way to grow the pinball community at your location and the Stern Army is here to help! We’ll show you how easy it is.
Step 3 – Marketing
The key to any event is awareness marketing.
Why not a pinball road trip? All of these pinball tournaments are listed with lots of detail on the Stern website (here).
Most of these are drivable. Especially the big show Pinball Expo in Chicago. October 19-22.
See you on the pinball circuit!
GAD will be closed for the Labor Day weekend.
To our staff and customers – have an awesome weekend playing pinball!
Looking for a fall road trip? Destination pinball.
If you are looking to play a lot of different pinball in one place or participate in a tournament, there is an event for you this fall. These are linked to Stern’s website but there are lots more listed at the IFPA events website.
Here’s a few:
Sept 9-11 IFPA Event in Lynnwood, WA
Sept 15-18 ClePin Pinball and Arcade Show in Cleveland, OH
Road trip to OBX Flippers Fall Tournament
Located in Grandy, NC this Stern Pinball Pro Tournament is from 11/4 – 11/6.
Our offices are closed on Monday, September 6 to observe Labor Day. And, give our staff time to play lots of arcade games, pinball, darts and Golden Tee!
To our commercial arcade customers – if you have equipment issues, please contact your sales or service personnel direct.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend.
GAD
