Friday, November 27, 2009

Significance of Category Management In Vending Business

What is category management? In order to justify every single product offered by the retailer, entire range of products is divided into discrete groups and each of these groups is known as product category. For instance, detergents, toothpastes etc fall under various product categories.

You may like to know what the benefit of these product categories is. After segregating individual products into groups, each product category is run as an independent business unit with its own set of turnaround and profitability. The key reason for introducing category management is to add value to retailers business. Prior to category management, the situation was very different and lacked clarity. For instance: if a product with two brands A and B is offered, every time brand A promotes its product, the sales of brand B would go down and vice versa resulting in no net gain for the retailer.

Post introduction of category management the entire scenario was changed and both the retailer and shopper in the store were benefited. In fact vending operators have been engaged in category management for more than half a century now. Multiple column candy machines have increased sales by catering to needs of vast number of customers.

The scenario was completely different in 1960’s. Vending operators were unable to offer everything that customers wanted. They had to assemble the most efficient assortment of a limited number of items to meet customer demands and at the same time maximize their profits.

Operators soon found a way to effectively deal with fragmented customer demand. This is how they came up with category management. Category management simply manages group of products which customers perceive to be interrelated. Dealing with these products as a group allows retailer to efficiently satisfy customer needs and make profits simultaneously. It is also beneficial for producers and distributors of the goods since this method keeps their costs under control.

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Monday, November 23, 2009

How to Generate Immediate Cash Flow from Vending Business

Vending is one of the most lucrative businesses. This is because it is a complete cash business which requires minimum investment. So taking up vending could be very profitable. However, the location you choose is very crucial for the success of this business. A good location will help you enjoy immediate cash flow as soon as you place your machine in the location.

Immediate cash flow should take place as soon as you place your machine in a profitable location. A thorough market research will help you in determining how potential a location is. The information gathered in the research will let you know about the various kinds of locations that are existent, the most appropriate ones and the ones that you need to avoid. Once you have installed your machine in these location, there should be immediate cash flow from day one. If this does not happen, then you might have probably chosen the wrong location.

For ensuring immediate cash flow, there are three things that you need to implement right from day one. They are quality of vending machines like Planet Antares Machines, right kind of location and right kind of products. If all these are in place, they will definitely lead to immediate cash flow. Several kinds of vending machines are available in the market. All these are user friendly, durable, and simple to use and come with latest features and technology that is sufficient enough to grab the attention of customers.

Another aspect that needs to be considered while placing vending machines is its visibility. A strategically placed vending machine is clearly visible and can catch customer attention easily. The location that you pick must have high customer traffic as this will increase the chances of higher sales. Product mix is another vital factor influencing the success of your business. In order to know which products need to be placed in your machine, you need to identify fast moving products in the market. In case you are new to this business, then you need to do research and find out products that are popular in public.

Vending trends keep changing over time and a successful operator needs to keep himself updated with these changes. If you are able to do this, then you can make money right from day one.

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

Increase Sales for a Successful Vending Venture

Vending business as a whole has proven itself as a profitable business. However, for a vending business owner to be successful in his vending venture, a lot would depend upon his managerial skills. It is important to provide quality to customers if you want repeat business and this is what every business aims for- Repeat business from clients. With more and more competition, the need to improvise keeping in mind the quality is probably the most important aspect for a profitable vending business.

Here is a small list of factors that should be checked and adhered to in order to succeed in a vending venture.

• Strategic placement of the vending equipment
• Stock your machines with quality and preferably brand products
• Ensure smooth functioning of your vending machines
• Pay special attention to the packaging of your products.
• Multiple payment options
• Offer discounts/rewards to the customers
• Make sure you keep a check on what customers like in the location of your machine.
• State of the art machines like those from Planet Antares
• A complete record of accounts of your business
• Keep an update about the market trends and latest products
• Don’t buy refurbished machines

Starting a vending business on the right node is very important for any business owner. The first step should be to ensure that you have a quality vending partner like Planet Antares. Planet Antares has been around for over three decades and understands the business in and out. You can always be assured of getting superior and quality service from Planet Antares who have been pioneers in the vending industry. Kick start your business on a positive note with Planet Antares.

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Friday, November 06, 2009

Few Things To Be Considered While Establishing Vending Business

If you are under the assumption that filling the machine with sufficient stock and installing it in a location will do miracles for you, then you are thoroughly mistaken. To become a successful vending operator you need to a lot of strategic planning. There are several factors that influence the success of your business and location is just one amongst them.

Most operators are under the misconception that selection of the appropriate location is the most important decision in vending business. There are several things that need to be considered while choosing a location. Firstly, how can you know if a location is apt or not for your kind of business?

Operators should always keep one thing in mind. Vending is a customer oriented business. So, choose a place that is visited by large number of people. Such places generally include restaurants, parks, malls, bus stations, pubs, schools, grocery shops etc. Your job does not end in finding most populated place. You should also ensure that the choice of the place suits the product you are going to vend. The best location for your machine will be those places where people wait for several hours. Vending sales is not compulsive buying, it is generally impulsive buying. Most buyers either get attracted to the machine or the products offered for sale. Thus they instantly buy it.

After choosing the location and placing your machine, your next step would be to choose the product which you would like to vend. Products like soda, ice creams need to be stored in cool places. So choose a machine that best fits the product you are going to sell. Positioning of the machine is also another important factor that needs some consideration. If you are targeting offices and schools, then you need to place your machine within its premises. On the other hand if you are targeting people at hospitals, airports and subway stations, then you need to place your machine outside. This provides easy access to them.

It might be surprising to hear that the looks of your machine also influences the success of your business. A stylish, good looking and clean machine like that of Planet Antares is likely to attract more customers towards it. Make sure that your machine is properly maintained and interesting to look at.

These things if kept in mind can bring you huge success. For more insight into the vending business contact Planet Antares and get to know the details of owning a successful vending business.

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Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Location- Its Importance In Vending Business

Taking up a vending business is in itself one of the best decisions. One thing about this business is that you do not require any special skills. You only learn from your mistakes; however there will not be any serious damage to your business. Most operators start with one or two machines and expand slowly by setting up new machines or by purchasing existing ones.

When you are in the outlook of expansion and find a machine location for sale, do not jump in haste. Take your own time and evaluate the business before to proceed. Few operators perceive vending as a mode for getting rich. This is a completely wrong conception. Finding strategic locations for placing vending machines is not as easy as it may sound. It is only with thorough market research, that you will be able to identify the right location.

One way of understanding how this business works is by going along the vending route or getting information from a route planner. These are the first ones to gather information about existing and new business avenues. Even a locator can help you in this aspect. He can do research for you on the most appropriate location for setting up your machine.

There are few aspects you need to keep on mind whenever you choose a vending location.

• Accessibility: Is the location easily accessible.

• Visibility: There should not be any problem in locating the machine. It is always better to place your machines at places where people wait for some time. For instance you can place your machines near rest rooms or entrance of a hotel or near the reception.

• Transport: You need to restock your machines at times so make sure that it is not too far from your regular vending route.

The aim of vending business is to attract people and create an instinct to make a purchase. To make this happen you need to make sure that your machine is in good working condition and properly maintained. An attractive and stylish machine from Planet Antares can easily grab the attention of customers.

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