Vending Archives - GAD Knows Vending Machines

26th October 2023

Self Check Out for Every Store

Self Check Out for Every Store https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/self-check-out.jpg 493 470 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/self-check-out.jpg 26th October 2023 26th September 2023

If you think that waiting in line is an unavoidable part of the shopping experience, think again. Your customers disagree, and they aren’t waiting around for you to catch up. According to Fidelity Payment Services, 81% of customers actively avoid stores where they perceive the lines to be too long, and they aren’t afraid to abandon their loyalties and jump ship.

Add an after pandemic climate of staff shortages to an increasingly-impatient consumer base and the message is clear: it’s time to automate. According to Bloomberg, 87% of consumers prefer shopping in stores with touchless or robust self-checkout options.

Now, stores of any size can benefit from flexible and cost effective self-checkout solutions available from GAD with through our authorized relationship with Crane/CPI.

Crane/CPI provide a complete turnkey service for self-checkout. We tailor everything to your store and customers’ needs. Our turnkey options include a unit module, scanning options, weighing functionality, all payment devices including notes and coins, integration with your POS system and full installation, testing, and service contracts to ensure all your needs are fulfilled.

Benefits

Design a custom solution with leading technology partners: CPI leverages our extensive network of retail partners to design the perfect solution for your store

Expand your customer service portfolio: Redeploy your staff to other activities such as buy-online-pick-up-in-store, or other value-add services to earn customer loyalty

Eliminate lines to retain customers: 40% of customers will abandon a purchase due to long lines. Protect your revenue by accepting all forms of payment in your self-checkout solution

Save time and labor costs: The average retailer spends four hours a day on manual cash reconciliation. Reduce the hours spent counting with automation technology

Call GAD to start the automation process.

9th October 2023

Vending Equipment

Use Your Vending Machine as a Dynamic Advertising Vehicle

Use Your Vending Machine as a Dynamic Advertising Vehicle https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AdobeStock_203205634-scaled.jpeg 2048 1365 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AdobeStock_203205634-scaled.jpeg 9th October 2023 9th October 2023

MediaNet by Crane Vending (CPI) is the latest technology in POS digital advertising.

Only 1 in 5 consumers know what they want before they approach a vending machine, this makes MediaNet invaluable in driving more sales, sales of your most profitable items and increasing your profitability. MediaNet is proven to increase sales by helping your customers make their choice via a simple and more engaging experience.

Additionally, CPI provide the opportunity for operators to participate in existing promotional campaigns, via our elite brand partner network.

MediaNet is compatible with your VMS platform, and everything can be managed remotely by you and your team. Talk to GAD today about how MediaNet can enhance your route operations.

Benefits

Visual screen engagement that delivers dynamic point of sale advertising opportunities for your retail partners
Increase profitability with minimal investment
Customizable for operators to personalize for their customers

Summary of features:

Higher customer engagement at POS
Increase sales revenue and profits
Access to CPI brand network for partner campaigns
Fully integrated with your VMS

6th July 2023

Reimagine Kiosks

Reimagine Kiosks https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vending-specialty-iii.png 988 675 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vending-specialty-iii.png 6th July 2023 19th June 2023

Reimagine Self Service Ordering and Payment

If it’s easy, convenient and stream line, customers and employees have learned to take care of it themselves. Sometimes a kiosk replaces a long line for ordering. A kiosk can also be places to receive payments like utilities. A kiosk can provide an immersive experience. A kiosk can be an employee portal to buying from the company store, ordering from the cafeteria, or becoming immersed in more about the company they work for with timely messaging.

Reimagine a totally seamless ordering experience where your customers’ have the time, freedom and flexibility to explore the menu, add to cart, and check out all without waiting in line, making small talk or trying to read a menu and make up their mind at the same time. Make this fantasy a reality when you engage GAD to help you achieve your self service plan.

Capitalize on reducing staff. Helping your customer with a more immersive experience then they may get on their phone. Add flexibility and service without adding employees.

23rd May 2023

Reimagine Vending

Reimagine Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vending-specialty-iii.png 988 675 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vending-specialty-iii.png 23rd May 2023 11th May 2023

Coming out of COVID there are new business facts many are struggling with – and reimagining vending can jump in to help your bottom line.

Is your business positioned to make a sale at the exact right moment, 24/7? Are your products were your customers are? Would eliminating staff help your overall business? Take a moment and brainstorm new solutions.

Sell at the Airport

What a better place to find specialty customers that are in a hurry and will spend at a premium to get what they want when they want it.

This goes for a variety of food options, drinks, and specialty items like beauty and electronics. And, GAD can help you customize your vending machine to enhance your brand vision.

If you are a manufacturer or importer, this is an excellent place to seek new end users and bring in a new revenue stream with minimal efforts.

And, with a vending machine, you limit theft, employee costs and can automate payment processing to reduce cash.

Sell at a Festival

It takes a tremendous amount of capital investment to promote a concert, festival or outdoor event. To become a long term business, it takes keeping the immediate gratification of event goers happy.

Most events only consider food trucks – which is a great idea but sometimes they have issues from not enough food to too long cook times to breaks in the music can cause very long wait times (drags down the entire vibe). If you are looking to speed up service to your event goers and increase your profits, vending can supplement your food service.

Add vending machines with snacks, healthy food options or quick meals. Vending machines can be there to dispense quick comfort items like sunscreen, breath aides, hand sanitizer and other beauty items. A vending machine can also dispense liquids. Even alcohol if you have necessary restrictions already in place.

Sell at a School

Middle and High schools are excellent locations for vending machines.

A specialty vending machine can be stocked with all types of student supplies like folders, calculators, pens and paper. And, most students have phones so they can pay without having to bring extra money to school. Vending machines can be specially outfitted to replace a school store. Consider stocking with school colors, branded t-shirts and any specialty items for game day.

This is an excellent idea for PTA’s or student organizations to raise money. It can be used as a learning tool for the business class as it can teach inventory, cost of goods, accounting and marketing.

Sell at a Swimming Pool

What’s better in the summer than a swimming pool? But that can be easily changed to a nightmare when you forget the sunscreen.

A swimming pool – neighborhood, city park or hotel pool can be a great place for a specialty vending machine stocked not just with sunscreen but googles, water wings, absorbent towels and so much more.

The best part is, this frees up staff to be invested in safety instead of selling something.

Sell at the Gym

What does everyone need a the gym? Sell it in a vending machine!

Vending goes so far beyond just selling healthy foods and drinks from a vending machines. Try loading with….

Head phones.
Chargers.
Specialty lifting gloves.
Microfiber towels.
Specialty phone armbands.
After workout muscle pain remedies.

Looking for more inspiration? Try the QR code below. Call GAD and we can help.

8th March 2023

How Vending Can Solve Fourth Wall Revenue

How Vending Can Solve Fourth Wall Revenue https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/walmart.png 2048 1011 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/walmart.png 8th March 2023 10th February 2023

Most retailers have dead space that isn’t earning as much revenue as it should. Smart, large box retailers look at every inch to make sure they maximize not only customer experience but also profitability. And so should you.

Vending is an excellent way to achieve this.

First, vending machines aren’t cheap but they are unattended, use very little floor space and can be changed out to various uses as demand dictates. For example, who would have thought 6 years ago we’d be outfitting PPE solution vending machines? But the pandemic changed that.

Vending machines payment solutions have changed with the times as well. While cash is accepted, there are touchless solutions available as well. There are apps as well so returning customers can program their favorites in for quick ordering. The apps also help the vending owner with inventory control, out of service issues and so much more!

Plus vending machines can be so easily branded to your business. Give your customer added flexibility to choose what they want, when they want it.

Here are a few ideas to get you thinking how a specialty vending machine can satisfy your customer and increase your cash flow:

Give the bartender a helping hand! Bars are using vending machines to vend individual drink options like champagne, canned drinks and beer. (Visit your state’s liquor license requirements first.) These drink vending machines are also popular at festivals, entertainment zones, concerts and other venues with a closed area, high traffic and a party waiting to happen!
Put a vending machine near a swimming pool. Load it with sunscreen, inflatables and water wings.
In a school, vending machines can have office supplies, binders and all types of classroom necessities.
Showroom samples are easily branded in a vending machine.
Employee vending machines can have a mini store stocked with over the counter medications, simple safety items, and more.
Put in a Crane coffee vending machine with a whole bean grinder to replace a coffee station or expensive k-cup machine.
A beauty vending machine has many possibilities to maximize floor space. Try in a mall, airport or hotel – wherever they is high foot traffic.
Add a utility payment kiosk.
A coin changer machines are a popular machine. It helps your customer redeem their coins and gives you a source of change for your establishment.
Create an electronics vending machine with headphones, chargers and other electronics to create a shoplifting secure, unattended solution.

For more ideas, take a look at Crane’s LookBook here. Contact GAD for more ideas, brainstorming and information.

GAD Knows Vending

27th February 2023

Vending Equipment

Uncomplicated Payment at EV Charging Stations

Uncomplicated Payment at EV Charging Stations https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AdobeStock_337790119-scaled.jpeg 2048 998 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AdobeStock_337790119-scaled.jpeg 27th February 2023 10th February 2023

EV Charging Open Payment Solutions

In Europe, electric vehicle adoption has been on the rise in recent years, with projected market unit sales expected to reach 5.5 million vehicles in 2027.¹ With this growing demand for electric cars comes a requirement for a convenient charging experience that all drivers can enjoy.

However, an easy, reliable charging experience is currently not the case in much of Europe for drivers that use unfamiliar chargers. This is, in large part, due to drivers facing an inconsistent payment structure across charging stations. For example, one charging station could require payment from a specific subscription app or a contactless payment option and another could require a different subscription app. This results in drivers potentially finding themselves in the unfortunate and frustrating situation of being unable to use chargers if they don’t have the correct app or contactless payment option. And with 90% of charging stations in Europe not being equipped with a credit card reader, drivers have much higher chances of finding themselves in this scenario.²

Life is complex enough and with vehicle manufacturers executing on improved battery performance, it’s not surprising that charge anxiety is likely replacing range anxiety. In simple terms, EV drivers want the same frictionless payment experience as buying a latte or purchasing petrol at the petrol station. Let’s not create payment anxiety on top of this.

Having found a charger that’s up and running, surely making payment simple and consistent must be a win for everyone in the value chain? Let’s keep the complex function of electric vehicles in the technology and performance of the vehicle itself and not bring it into the everyday aspect of payment at the “pump.”

Having to download an app, or having a subscription to a club may suit many, but as electric vehicles become ubiquitous, doesn’t the consumer have the right for more payment flexibility? Drivers already deal with range anxiety associated with route planning and journey duration, adding a complex way to refuel, or continuing to proliferate app-based payment as the only option will only create a new type of anxiety around payment. Working towards a more sustainable future needs accessibility for all, so ensuring payment is familiar is a very easy way to remove a headache and pain point for drivers.

Fortunately, CPI provides an open payment solution that provides drivers with a familiar payment experience that prevents payment anxiety and meets all regulatory requirements around PIN acceptance.

¹Source: https://www.statista.com/outlook/mmo/electric-vehicles/europe

²Source: https://chargemap.com/pass

21st January 2023

Safety, Quality, Profitability for Vending Operators

Safety, Quality, Profitability for Vending Operators https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AdobeStock_203205634-scaled.jpeg 2048 1365 GAD Vending GAD Vending https://gadvending.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AdobeStock_203205634-scaled.jpeg 21st January 2023 21st September 2022

GAD works with a variety of Vending Operators that service many types of end locations. Part of our job is to help our Vending Operators with their profitability, safety and operational streamlining.

Service at the End Location

Service is the pain point for many of the end location customers. This is especially important for independent operators. Tasked with overseeing everything to do with the equipment, payment and stock levels this can be a big lift for a single operator.

But GAD can help.

Rethinking Vending Management

It is critical to manage your time, your route efficiencies and your profitability. Crane Vending offers Simplifi new software apps to manage your entire business on your smart phone. Set up stock alerts. Machine malfunction. And other alerts to help you be aware of issues before your end location. This helps you stop reacting to being proactive.

Customization is Key

Know your customer. Customize your vending equipment to service the type of customer. You may want a mix use machine that delivers both liquids and snacks. Check out the vendors that deliver full meals. Place a vending machine that dispense products like PPE, cell phone accessories or other high need merchandise.

Use Quality Equipment Reduces Ongoing Costs

Maintenance is key to keeping a quality machine in its best working order. Crane vending machines partnered with GAD Vending parts department keep your machines working 24 hours delivering product.

Machine Placement is Key

Machine placement is key. High traffic areas. Low competition areas like breakrooms. Unique locations like apartment complexes, schools and even convenience stores.

Many customers are looking for self service, securing product and low employee interaction cost. This opens up all new positions for vending machines. High priced products can be secured without employee costs. Small items can be vended easily.

Vending machines aren’t just for candy any more! Vending is an answer for today’s growing demand of retail and consumer expectations.

15th January 2023

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 15th January 2023 21st September 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.

2nd November 2022

Vending – Brand Extension and New Marketing Opportunities

Vending: Not Just for Vending

How Convenience Services is Expanding

Brand Extension

How Custom Vending Can Play a Role

Big Branding Opportunities

Vending’s Custom Future

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.