Friday, January 29, 2010

Profit Maximisation Motive Of Vending Operator

Besides other reasons we all take up business in order to make profits. Profit maximisation is the sole aim of every entrepreneur. Profits can be maximised either increasing sales, setting high profit margins (difference between cost and selling price of a product) or by reducing expenses.

Operators cannot hike prices every time they want to increase their profits. Since this is a competitive market, every move of yours is being closely monitored by your opponent and he is always waiting eagerly to grab an opportunity. Cost reduction can also be done to a certain extent only. The ideal way of doing this is by jotting down all your expenses, identify and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Increasing sales of your product is perhaps easier when compared to the other two options mentioned above. Generating sales from one or two machines is not as difficult as it may sound to be. However, the more the number of machines you have, the higher would be the sales. How can you boost your sales? Most operators expand their vending business by reinvesting the revenue generated from the existing machines. Another way of increasing sales is by providing customers with best available services in the market.

This is possible by following the below mentioned steps:

• Attractive and stylish machines: Vending is purely an instinct driven business. Hence it is important that you install attractive and stylish looking machines from trusted manufacturers like Planet Antares that can drive your business.

• Explore new markets: In order to increase sales, try to identify new and untapped locations. Generally the competition in these localities is very less and hence you can install your machines with minimum establishment costs.

• New products: Latest products are capable of drawing customer attention and they are forced to try them out once. Even offering branded products can also boost your sales. Vending is the best way to promote new and latest products since customers do not hesitate to purchase them from reputed vending machines.

• Maintenance: A vending machine that is clean and well maintained can draw more customers towards it and thereby increase sales. It is the prime responsibility of every vending operator to make sure that his machine is clean and well maintained. This can not only boost sales but also creative positive impact in the minds of customers.

• Software: Nowadays wide variety of vending software is made available in the market. This technology allows you to keep a close eye on your business and thus track sales of your products. You can also identify and replace slow moving products with those that have maximum demand. Thus you can increase sales.

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Monday, January 25, 2010

How Can Customers Influence Vending Business

Nowadays we hear corporate world taking a lot about KYC. What is this KYC? The abbreviation of KYC is “Know your customers”. This concept is very vital especially for vending business since this is completely customer oriented business. Operators need to understand customer needs and requirements in order to make their business a big success.

Over the past few years, it has been observed that customers are attracted towards vending machine because of the convenience it offers both in terms of saving time and effort. Since its inception, more and more people are relying on vending machines for various reasons. This billion dollar industry is successful in catering to the needs of customers of all age groups across the globe. These machines are able to supply their customers with just about anything they need.

Hence, before you start your business, it is imperative that you know your customers and understand their requirements. Ask your self a few questions like what would be the right location for my machine? Whom should I target? Which markets are perfect for setting up my business? What can lure a customer and create an instinct to purchase? Products such as candy and cool drinks target children of all age groups. While energy drinks and snacks are more appealing to youth? Working men and women would be more interested in healthy snacks or some other kinds of refreshments.

Right kind of location is another important factor that needs to be considered while locating a vending machine. Competition is severe in this industry, so operators should never compromise on the quality. Always try to start your business by purchasing a brand new vending machine from reputed companies like Planet Antares. Since this functions efficiently, it will ensure that the customer never returns empty handed after visiting your machine. Also make sure that you stock your machine with sufficient quantity of stock and ensure there are no repairs and break downs. This will prevent inconvenience to customers and make them happy.

These things if born in mind can make your customer remain loyal for a life time.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Vending Machines

Of late vending business has gained huge acceptance not only among operators but also among customers in general. What makes this business so famous? The advantages associated with this business are able to draw more and more people towards it. Perhaps this is the only business that allows you to sell products round the clock 24/7. Most importantly this business does not ask for any specialised skills or prior working experience.

This is a simple business and can be taken up almost by anyone. It only needs few hours of attention for servicing and refilling them. Hence it allows you to maintain your regular job while running this business. The initial investment and set up cost is also very low when compared to other business opportunities. All you need is to invest in the vending equipment and spend some amount for restocking and servicing of the machine. You need not pay any attention to advertising, marketing or pay loyalties.

These machines are easily redeemable since your income starts from the very moment you install your vending machine. One major benefits of vending business is that it is a complete cash business, so you need not worry about bad debts or credit checks. Mobility is another major advantage associated with this business. If things really work well, you can easily move these machines to a new location.

Unlike few other businesses, you do not have any area restrictions and are free to operate in any place of your choice. You also have complete freedom when it comes to kind of vending machines you would like to purchase, product you would like to vend, where to locate the machine and your strategies or mode of operation.

However, it is always better to diversify the products you offer. This would help in grabbing the attention of wide range of customers. Vending machines themselves have diversified a lot. What was once limited to vending of selected items is now capable of dispensing almost all kinds of products including water, milk, juices, cereals, fresh fruits and even insurance policies.

The only disadvantage of this machine is that, if installed in public places, these machines are susceptible to vandalism. However, this can also be overcome with the use of latest technology and software. Planet Antares has been the choice of many start ups who have grown into big vending business owners.

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Monday, January 18, 2010

Cost Cutting-It’s Necessity

Income minus Expense is what we call profits. But arriving at profits in real life is not as simple as jotting down the above mentioned equation. It requires lot of planning and implementing it strategically. Income or revenue can be increased by increasing sales. Slashing down expenses can also increase your profits. However, this does not mean that operators can cut down or avoid essential expenses. An experienced businessman alone will be able to survive even after withstanding all these tough times.

Whatever may be the process you adopt; one thing is for sure, that success cannot be attained in a day or two. This is a step by step process that requires very calculated and proper approach. To begin with, the first and foremost step for increasing profits would be to identify avoidable expenses. These can be arrived at by carefully jotting down business expenses, keeping a track of monthly expenses and close monitoring of them in order reduce maintenance costs. Next most important thing would be purchase of new vending machine. This would increase performance efficiency and also reduces your maintenance cost. If possible operators should try to resolve smaller errors by themselves. This can keep a check on overhead expenses.

Operators can also cut down his costs by adopting any of the following methods:

• Increase sales: An increased sale generates more revenue that can compensate your costs.

• Operate in new and untapped markets: Try to identify markets where no or few competitors exist. If you are a first entrant in the market, you stand more chances of milking the market.

• Try to introduce new products: Customers always have fancy for new products. So try to make use of this and introduce new/high demand products whenever possible.

• Use new technology: Usage of vending software is another way of cutting down costs. Vending software gives operators a chance to have more control over their vending route.

These are sure shot ways of giving you success in vending business. For more information about vending industry, you can get in touch with planet Antares staff and get complete guidance on starting a profitable vending business.

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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Aspects-You-Need-To-Consider-Before-Starting-Vending-Business

With customers insisting on convenience and quick service, vending industry has been growing. Lured by its benefits, more and more operators are choosing this field. Several modes of vending machines are available in the market. However, the main aim of vending business is to provide great deal of customer satisfaction. Several vending machines are being installed at various places in the city to offer a lot of convenience to customers. Customers usually look for reliability while vending products from the machine. This is when branded products come into picture. Customers have always accepted branded products more than the unbranded ones.

The modern day work culture and hectic lifestyles has made more and more customers rely on vending machines. To overcome stress and hunger while at work, customers are taking rescue of vending machines. Thus making it part of their daily life. However, there are few things that make this a successful business are:

• Low capital requirement: The same may be said about few other businesses, but this is absolutely true in case of a vending business. All you need is to invest in purchasing a machine and locating it in the right place. Your machine will do the sales for you and start giving you return from day one. To begin with you can probably purchase one machine and later use the revenue generated through this for further expansion.

• Keep a check on your costs: Though the initial set up cost is very low when compared to other businesses, there are several other expenses like merchandise, maintenance and repair costs which you need to take into consideration. But a close and watchful eye on these costs can keep them under check. Regular checks on the stock will prevent pilferage and wastage. On the other hand prompt servicing will ensure that the machine functions properly without any break downs.

• Location is crucial: Nothing is more crucial than locating the vending machine. If you think that locating your machine in schools or college will work miracles for you, then you completely mistaken. You need to look out for places where foot fall of customers is very high or identify places where people stand in queues waiting for something. Avoid locations which already have stores selling the same product. You also need to consider availability of power supply depending on the kind of machine you use and the product you vend.

• Service is the key to success: This is a customer driven market. Customer satisfaction will influence the survival of any business. You might have come across few vending business that failed because they were unable to offer good service. Often they neglect to refill their machines with stocks or forget to gather cash from the machine so customers cannot buy anything and sometimes they do not maintain the machines properly. All these spread ill will among customer and they resist from themselves from revisiting the machine.

Even if your initial earnings are less than what you have expected, keeping the above things in mind, you still have lot of chances to succeed. You can take guidance on running you vending business from Planet Antares who have been in the vending industry for decades.

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Monday, January 11, 2010

Natural and Healthy Vending Opportunity for Operators

In these present turbulent markets, are you looking for an appealing and alternative investment opportunity? If yes, then try out vending. Vending is one of the unique business opportunities that is least affected by volatile market situations or recessions.

Of all the available products, natural and healthy vending is latest entrant in this industry. The main aim of these vending machines is to target schools, colleges and white collar businesses with their wide range of organic and natural products.

With an aim to tackle growing obesity concerns, these products have been launched in year 2006. The target audience of this product is none other than health conscious customers. These healthy vending machines offer high profile products including snacks and beverages that are recognised by consumers across the globe.

These machines also offer specialized menus for schools, hospitals, corporate offices, health clubs and several other traditional vending locations in order to ensure that appropriate products are made available to target customers at all times. Some of the unique features of healthy vending machines are proprietary software 24/7 for monitoring and cashless payment system for debit and credit cards.

What is the benefit of healthy vending?

This is something every vending operator would like to know before investing in one of these machines. Healthy vending is latest trend of vending industry. Over the last few years, it has been observed that consumers buying habits have changed drastically. At the same time consumers are becoming more particular about nutrition. Operators believe that in due course of time, this would become a universal phenomenon. So, next time when an operator places healthy products in his vending machine, consumers would definitely them easily and buy them instantly. This has been proved over time with increased sales of low fat and low carbohydrate items in vending machines.

As operators are becoming aware of the scope of this growing market, more and more vending operators are switching to healthy vending machines.

For more insight into the vending business, get in touch with Planet Antares staff and get in detail information about the vending opportunity.

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Customers Expectations from Vending Machines

Vending machines have been through lot of transition before reaching their present stage. The convenience and prompt services offered by these machines is drawing more and more number of customers towards them. Present day market is customer oriented one. In order to withstand and sustain in this competitive market, operators need to know the pulse of their target customers.

The needs and wants of customers are very much customised. Each individual has a totally different set of expectations when it comes to buying products from a vending machine. Since vending is a customer oriented business and it becomes imperative for the operator to understand the requirements of his target audience.

Customer’s perceptions are as diverse as their expectations. Some of them even perceive that the price or products vended are much higher that those available in the local stores. Hence it is mandatory for a vending operator to conduct thorough market research before installing his machines. Thus he would be able to understand the psychology of his target audience.

What is that customers expect from a vending machine? Besides convenience and instant service, customers get drawn away by few other external appearances like:

• Stylish looks and latest features: Teenagers and kids generally get lured away by the looks of the machine. In case you are dispensing products targeting either of them, make sure you choose a Planet Antares machine that has a stylish appeal.

• Branded and high quality products: Consumers always look for high quality services and for this to happen, they are even willing to pay some extra bucks. This means that it is up to the vending operator to ensure quality services through their machines for which they are already known for.

• Easy to use products: Customers have switched to vending machines because they are too occupied with their day to day activities and can hardly spare anytime even to have lunch of dinner. So try to vend products that can be used instantly.


• Fast and instant services: Ensure that your machine is in good working condition. Even if there is a break down, make sure it is rectified in no time.

These things if borne in mind by an operator can make his business a huge success.

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