Your vending machine product mix in Los Angeles, CA takes a little more planning than simply choosing some favorite snacks. Ideally, you want to make sure there are items in the machine that will appeal to the majority of people, no matter what their dietary restrictions or caloric needs might be. After all, the more people you can appeal to, the more likely they’ll be to spend their money at your vending machine.
Of course, vending machines aren’t just for food and drinks, either. You can get everything from skincare products and makeup to electronic gadgets and toys from vending machines, so planning your product mix can be a challenge. Here’s how to take the guesswork out of the process.
Prepare for trial and error
Sometimes the best way to tell what sells is to simply experiment with different items. Generally, you can start with national bestsellers and see how they do in each location, changing out poorly-selling items for things that are similar to your hot items.
Another great way to figure out how to pick the right vending machine products in Los Angeles, CA is to simply ask the people buying from your vending machines what they’re buying and why, and what they’d like to see replace items they’d never try. This can be an invaluable source of information. Don’t make major changes based on one or two opinions, however. Instead, survey as many people as you can and look for overarching patterns.
Some vending machine owners make the trial and error process even more fun and host a “tasting session,” where managers and owners can try all the products and decide which ones would best suit their location.
Change items based on their location
If you’re operating a vending machine outdoors during a hot L.A. summer, you’re probably not going to stock it with hot drinks and other seasonally-inappropriate items. On the other hand, if your machine is located in an office with Arctic air conditioning temperatures, those hot items may prove to be quite popular. If you’re in a gym, Snickers bars and Cheetos probably won’t be your best bet, but healthy options are bound to do well.
Again, trial and error help here, but so does asking your customers. Finding out what they’re most interested in can result in much larger sales.
Think about non-consumable items
Finally, don’t stop at food and beverages. Other items can prove to be profitable, especially if you think about what people on the premises might need. Outdoor swimming pools could sell swimming goggles, sunblock, earplugs and swim caps right alongside water and healthy snacks. Schools may find that selling electronic cables, external batteries, writing instruments and notebooks help them turn a profit. Whatever your business, think about what your guests might want and need, then aim to give it to them.
If you need more help picking a vending machine product mix in Los Angeles, CA, be sure to call the team at VSI Vending & Coffee Services today.