Vending machines in the US are increasing their product ranges, and in three to five years, are predicted to follow Japan in offering a wide variety of products at vending machines. Great photos.
Apple iPods and accessories, sneakers, ink cartridges, laptop batteries, acne skin treatments, baby diapers, bottles and Tylenol, can now be bought at vending machines as operators gauge which products sell best. On university campuses, cereal, shaving cream and toiletries are top sellers, whereas at hotels or airports, the most popular items are aspirin, disposable cameras, snacks and drinks.
Grocers in California, which vend Apple iPods and office supplies, are among the top revenue-producers in the grocery sector for US vending provider, Zoom. Stores with vending machines gain annual sales of $1,000 to $15,000 per square foot according to Zoom, versus $200 to $750 per square foot for standard stores. In other words, Zoom’s machines achieve annual sales of between $28,000 to $500,000 apiece, with Zoom gaining a fee from product manufacturers and the entity providing space for the machines, taking a cut from Zoom.
