Vending

Article on vending machines and the vending machine business. GAD Vending sells and fixes vending machines. Find out more where to place a vending machine. What mix of products to stock in the vending machine. Outdoor vending machines. How to service vending machines. And, how to use vending machines for touchless, cashless solutions.

Vending – Brand Extension and New Marketing Opportunities

Vending – Brand Extension and New Marketing Opportunities 1100 450 GAD Vending

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.

Vending – Brand Extension and New Marketing Opportunities

Vending – Brand Extension and New Marketing Opportunities 1100 450 GAD Vending

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.

Vending Operators: Raising the Bar to Win

Vending Operators: Raising the Bar to Win 2048 1365 GAD Vending

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.

Games, Games, Games! GAD Knows Games….

Games, Games, Games! GAD Knows Games…. 940 788 GAD Vending

GAD Knows Games

What do we mean by this? GAD has a long tradition of selling, serving and selling parts for all types of games.

Home Game Rooms

GAD has been selling to home customers for many years. We are able to sell our games for free play. Meaning home games come without coin acceptance equipment – which can be the single most expense component in a game.

GAD sells Golden Tee Home Edition, a variety of pinball games, Arachnid digital darts, and even vending machines for home game rooms.

All of our equipment sold by GAD is supported by our service department. If one of our customers can’t figure out how to update their software or have a parts issue, our service department is here to help. Call us to determine the level of service you need to get your game working.

Commercial Game Rooms

GAD sells wholesale to service vendors that call on commercial bars, restaurants and arcades. This service vendors are vital to these commercial operators to keep the equipment serviced.

GAD sells all types of games including shuffleboard, commercial pool tables, basketball and large games. GAD also has a variety of claw toy redemption games. In stock. And with a fully stocked parts department.

Find the full compliment of support equipment as well. GAD has vending equipment, ATM’s and coin changers. As your service vendor for more information.

5 Tips To Picking The Best Vending Management System

5 Tips To Picking The Best Vending Management System 370 370 GAD Vending

Succeeding with VMS

While most vending operators are well aware of the importance of a good vending management system (VMS), when it comes to continued investment in new technology, making the right choices can be tricky. With an ever-expanding field of providers and experts, operators face a lot of decisions. We break down the best way for operators to shop when they’re looking to add new features and functionality to their VMS.

1.    Pick an Open Platform Solution

When it comes to making a new investment, the last thing you’ll want to have to worry about is migrating data. Look for solutions that provide an open platform with multiple integration options data sharing between your VMS and other business systems.

2.   Pick a solution that is intuitive

New technology means time spent onboarding employees both new and seasoned. When it comes to investing in add-ons to their VMS, operators should focus on platforms that are intuitive and user-friendly to maximize employee use and minimize training needs.

 

3.    Pick a solution that allows employees to use their own devices

An investment in new technology seems expensive, especially when hardware is considered, but with a focus on mobile technology, these expenses can be negated. Operators should seek solutions that are mobile-friendly (across both Apple and Android operating systems) and ideally allow associates to access software tools right from their own mobile devices or tablets. Additionally, technologies that are compatible with cloud-based systems that allow for the dissolution of location-based servers.

4.    Prioritize real-time data

Data means actionable insights, but only if you have it when you need it. Prioritize live data that can be shared between drivers in the field and supervisors in the office to increase efficiency in every route visit.

5.    Pick a solution that allows phased upgrades

For operators with large workforces, the idea of having to update everyone’s devices can be daunting. Operators should look for platforms that allow for phased upgrades, enabling them to update as they replace old devices. This means you can follow an upgrade path that is modular and can be executed in phase.

The Takeaway

As you continue to update and invest in your Vending Management System, ask GAD Vending how you can implement smart, economical solutions that maximize efficiency in your operation.

What Does GAD Inventory?

What Does GAD Inventory? 1800 1200 GAD Vending

With supply chain shortages continuing, GAD’s long standing relationships with our manufacturers means we are still getting the newest equipment. GAD also has limited used equipment that has been refurbished and run through our service department.

Games, ATM’s and Digital Music

Due first quarter of 2022 are the following pinball titles:

Rush, Godzilla, Avengers, Guns ‘n Roses LE, Legends of Valhalla, Hot Wheels, Oktoberfest and Houdini.

In stock pinball includes Beatles Gold, Star Wars Home Pin, Star Wars Comic Art Pina and Jurassic Park Home Pin.

Golden Tee PGA – estimated beginning of January. Golden Tee Home is in stock.

In stock are Hyosung Halo II ATM and various digital music solutions.

Vending Machines

GAD Inventories Vending Machines. As with all our equipment, our inventory depends on how our manufacturers are doing with their supply chain. Please call with questions for the vending equipment you are looking for.

All of our equipment is available for home or commercial use. We sell and service homes, arcades, game rooms, bars, pool halls, hotels, hospitals, commercial offices and break rooms. GAD sell equipment and parts and can suggest vending route sales people to upkeep your equipment.

About Crane’s Merchant Media Vending Machines

About Crane’s Merchant Media Vending Machines 749 523 GAD Vending

So hard to make vending machines exciting – until you think about the low employee requirements to maintain, clean and stock a machine. With employee shortage rising to a crisis state, how about thinking to automate your snake and drink delivery?

A well stocked vending machine in a great location makes economic sense. And, with the new automated management tools, it’s easier than ever to see what products are selling. Get low stock alerts. Add smart phone ordering and payment options. And monitor for out-of-change or jams. And, helps eliminate the quick theft problem.

Consider a vending machine at your store check out counter for quick soda sales while people are in line. Put a vending machine at the front entrance to check customers coming and going. Put a vending machine in the break room, lunch area or employee rest area.

Crane’s Merchant Media vending machines are in stock at GAD Vending in Omaha, Kansas City and Des Moines. We stock the machines, configuration racks, money handlers, and repair parts.

New Year’s Resolution: Keeping your vending machines cleaner

New Year’s Resolution: Keeping your vending machines cleaner 1040 661 GAD Vending

 

How to Clean Your Crane Vending Machine: Daily Cleaning and Disinfecting

As a distributor of Crane Merchandising Vending machines, we’ve learned how to clean, repair and maintain vending machines. Our route sales customers rely on GAD Vending for parts, reconfiguration and retrofitting cashless solutions.

Turn Your Food Service Around – with Automation

Turn Your Food Service Around – with Automation 1098 588 GAD Vending

Increase fresh food delivery to customers, decrease employee interaction time to zero –  and drive new revenue with Crane Shopper Vending Machines

The Crane Shopper offers users up to 225 items to choose from. Up to a 9″ platter. All fresh, cold and ready to eat!

How can this work for you? 

Imagine. Fill your Crane Shopper in the morning with fresh selections. Let customers browse at their leisure and use their credit card to purchase. No employees needed to serve and accept payment!

The Crane Shopper allows you to monitor the cabinet temperature remotely to remain in health and safety guidelines for fresh food, and monitor inventory on especially busy days.

Merchandise food offerings over a Five Zone partitioned drum system to allow maximum merchandise and easy customer selection. Exclusive “Prefer Max” function automatically returns the drum to the view with the most product for sale.

The Crane Shopper is:

  • Designed to accommodate over 225 unique sales items.
  • Meets new ADA requirements.
  • Integrates with touchless payment systems.
  • Designed for 24 hour refreshment service.
  • Ideal for workplace, hospital or other places open 24 hours for unattended, fresh food service.

The Crane Shopper has select options for sales promotions. Discount certain items with time-of-day functions. Scrolling message display communications promotions/special events to customers.

Contact GAD Vending for more information about the Crane Shopper Vending solution.

 

So Many Great Games on Order. So Many In Stock Now!

So Many Great Games on Order. So Many In Stock Now! 1536 2048 GAD Vending

The supply chain is a definite issue but at GAD we have so many games, pinball, ATM’s and vending machines on order that we do have equipment steadily coming in. (Just not on every title that we have demand for.)

Godzilla order is in, and being delivered now.

If there is something you need in 2021 for your commercial site or home, it’s time to give us a call and get your order in.

GAD Has Games, Pinball and Vending Machines in stock!

Due this year: 

Godzilla, Mandalorian Pro & Premium, Avengers Premium, Jurassic Park, Beatles Gold, Deadpool Premium, TMNT Pro and Premium, Star Wars Pin, Stranger Things Pro – and so many more great pinball titles!

Golden Tee PGA. Jet Pong. Claw Machines. Digital Music. And, of course, a lot of different vending machines.