Friday, April 09, 2010

How Can You Boost Sales in Planet Antares Vending Machines

Revenue maximisation is one of the main aims of every vending operator. This can be achieved either by increasing product sales or cutting down costs. Beyond certain limit, cost cutting is not possible. Hence the prime concentration of all operators is on increasing the sales of products offered in their machine. To achieve this operators take up several promotional activities and come up with innovative strategies to lure their customers.

Few tips that can help you in enhancing the sales of your products are:

• Attractive and stylish machines: You might have started your business with basic models. But when you are looking for an expansion, try using some latest more attractive machines like glass vending machines from Planet Antares. You can get several varieties of vending machines in varying shapes and sizes capable by drawing customer’s attention. Increase in the number of customers will undoubtedly increase your sales.

• Explore new markets: In order to increase sales, try to tap new locations with minimum competition. Experiment with some non traditional places. This will definitely help you in reaping more profits.

• 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: As a result of technological advancement, a number of latest software is available in the market. These can help you closely monitor and track sales of your products. They also help you in identifying both fast and slow moving products. Once you identify them, you can replace the slow moving product with one that has maximum demand. Thus you can increase sales.

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Monday, April 05, 2010

Guidelines For Starting Planet Antares Vending Machine Business

Starting a vending machine business is going to be a cake walk if only you have proper guidance and thorough understanding of the moves you need to make. Vending business is all about places, people and products. So, starting a vending business needs some creativity. However some additional guidance would be an added advantage for the operator.


• Establish contacts: To begin with, it is very helpful if you have some contacts with existing vending operators. These contacts will help you start quickly and make money at a faster pace.

• Basic knowledge about fixing vending machines comes handy in case of any emergency. This technical knowledge not only saves your time but also helps keep your costs under control.

• Combo machines: These days we have a lot of combo machines available in the market. These machines are capable of selling two products at a time. For instance: one section of the machine can sell drinks while the other section sells snacks. The main problem with these machines is their maintenance. These machines break down continuously thus leading to customer dissatisfaction. Instead, purchase full size machines with electronic eye. These machines come with a latest feature that detects if a product has been vended or not when a purchase is made.

• Advertising: This is one of the marketing strategies that helps create awareness about the product among customers and creates zeal to purchase it. If you just have a few machines, then advertising is yellow pages is ideal. On the contrary, if you have several machines located across several places, then you can resort to advertising over the internet.

• Employees: If you a novice who has just started vending business with just one or two machines, then you may not need any employees as you can do the servicing and refilling yourself. But once you start expanding your business by adding more and more machines, then you may need to hire people to make things easier for you.

• Machine and product: Try to purchase new machines of reputed and established brands like Planet Antares. While choosing a product you would like to vend, make sure that the product is fast moving with longer expiry period.

We are sure that these suggestions might help you in your new venture.

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Thursday, April 01, 2010

Choosing Right Vending Machine – Planet Antares

The kind of machine you choose also influences the success of your business. Because of the growing popularity, a lot of people are getting lured towards starting this business on their own. Due to this more and more models of vending machines are being designed and introduced into the market.

However, there are few fraudsters amongst them trying to misguide you. Hence operators need to be very cautious while choosing the right machine for them. Vending machines available in the market can be broadly classified into three kinds- those that operate on mechanical power, electrical power and combination of both. Each of these has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. However the choice of vending machine is completely at the discretion of vending operator.

Mechanical vending machines: These machines as the name denotes do not work on electricity and at the same time these machines do not come with any automated features. However there are many benefits associated with its purchase, such as

• Easy to install.
• Generates revenue in the form of cash coins.
• Easy to haulage.
• Simple refill and repairing process.
• Zero electricity bill.

The negative aspects of this business are its poor resale value and inability to generate higher returns.

Electrical vending machines: As the name suggests, these machines require electricity to work efficiently. The problems faced in mechanical vending machines can be over come by using an electrical vending machine.

Combination vending machine: In case an operator is aiming at offering more than one product at a time, combo vending machines are appropriate. Besides being attractive and easy to operate, this machine also has larger storage capacity and can also generate higher revenue.

If you are new to this business or industry, it is always advisable to start on a small scale with one or two machines and gradually expand over a period of time. For more detailed view into the vending business contact Planet Antares staff.

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Monday, March 29, 2010

Positive Aspects of Planet Antares Vending Machine Business

Planet AntaresVending machines are renowned across the globe because of the utmost convenience they offer to customers. No matter what time of the day it is you can always purchase the products of your choice just by dropping in a few coins into this magic machine. Modern day vending machines are capable of selling almost all kinds of products and are found at every nook and corner of streets.

With drastic changes in individual lifestyles, people are looking for more reliable, convenient and instant services. All this is possible with a single vending machine. In fact this is what has lead to the growth of this billion dollar industry. In fact this is the only industry that has been able to give life to several aspiring youth even during severe economic crisis.

With growing number of vending users, hundreds of vending machines models are being introduced into the market. What is making this business so popular?

• Unlike other business ventures, vending can be started with limited capital.

• Operators have the option of starting this business either on a full time basis or a part time basis. In case you are already full time employee and looking for some additional income to support your family, vending is perfect for you.

• There is complete flexibility in terms of operations style, selection of products, working hours, kind of machine to purchase and the location you would like to install it.

• This is one of the very few business models that give you financial independence while letting you be your own boss.

• Profit margins are quite high. However, they are not uniform across all products and keep varying from one product to another.

• Purchasing a new vending machine is also pretty cheap and affordable by most entrepreneurs.

• One of the highlights of this business is that it does not ask for any specific knowledge or skill set. So, anyone can take up this business.

• Overhead and operational costs are also very low in comparison with most other business models.

I am sure that after going through these benefits most of us would be lured towards starting our own vending business.

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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Benefits of Glass Front Vending Machines from Planet Antares

Glass front vending machines are latest up gradation over the closed ones. These machines are preferred because they are easy to use and allow customers to see the products which they are going to purchase. Glass front machines enable customers to see the products that are offered for sale. This makes selection easier and also creates an impulse for purchasing the product. Items thus displayed can lure the customers and create a desire for the product.

Glass front vending machines from Planet Antares, the latest entrants in vending industry are far more beneficial when compared to closed ones. Let us look at some of these benefits:

• Increase sales: It is believed that glass front vending machines are capable of generating more sales when compared to closed ones. One of the reasons being, customers can actually have a glance of the products which they are about to purchase. These machines have proved to be a great success in busy locations.

• Features: Glass front vending machines come with several attractive features like LED illuminators, pull forward trays, easy dispensing trays and refrigeration units.

• Shelf space: More products can be marketed in this small shelf space when compared to other drop shelf units.

• Customer association: Customer participation and involvement is more in a glass front vending machine in comparison with closed ones.

• Wastage: The possibility of products getting wasted is very low in a glass front vending machine. The reason being electronic tracking system.

• Choice: Customers have a wider choice because this machine can accommodate more products in it.

• Branded items: Glass front vending machines are ideal for vending branded products.

So, all those who are planning to start your own vending business or expand by installing new machines, buy a glass front vending machine now.

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Tips and Advice by Planet Antares for Starting Vending Business

Highly profitable, easy to operate and resistant to fluctuating markets, these are the unique features of a vending business. There is no doubt in saying that these are also the main features that are encouraging more and more operators to take up this business. Below mentioned are few tips that can help you in starting your own venture.

• In case you are an employee looking to take up vending business as an additional income source, do not quit your job. Even if you are considering that option, make sure you quit only after gaining confidence and after crossing break even.

• Make sure you have done enough ground work before jumping into conclusion. A thorough market research would help you in analysis the present market situation, demand for vending products and fast moving items.

• Try to vend fast selling products in your machine and alternately offer latest products. This would help you satisfy those customers who love to keep pace with market trends.

• As an operator you also need to know what’s happening at your competitors end. This would help you offer products and services at competitive prices.

• Make sure that your Planet Antares machines are in perfect working condition. Keep them clean and in proper condition. Well maintained machines will not only be successful in drawing the attention of customers but will also be able to provide uninterrupted services to your customers.

• Do things in an organised manner. This would help you in keeping track of your progress and at the same time prevent you from incurring unnecessary costs.

• Try to have a logo and display it on your machine. This would make you popular and easily recognisable.

• While expanding try to add more machines to your existing locations rather than search for new locations. This would not only save your time but makes things more easy.

These tips if followed carefully would help you in improving your vending operations.

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Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Benefits of Planet Antares Vending Business

Planet Antares Vending is a very simple business that can be taken up almost by anyone. The only requirements essential for starting this business are few hours of servicing and refilling machines. Hence it allows operators to continue with their 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.

This business is highly beneficial to both customers and operators. Some of these benefits are stated below:

Advantages to customers:

• Quick and convenient: These machines save a lot of time hence convenient to use. Once money is deposited and product is selected, it hardly takes few minutes for dispensing the product.

• Small areas: These machines can be placed in those areas where it is not possible to run a full time cafeteria.

• Quality: Even branded products can be vended using these machines. So quality is no more a concern.

• Service: The services of vending machines are available 24/7 round the clock without any interruption.

• Variety: Vending is no more restricted to few limited products. Customers can purchase almost anything from these machines.

Advantages to operators:

• Cost: The cost of starting a vending business is low when compared to any other businesses. This business does not require huge floor area, manpower and maintenance costs are also very low.

• Cash: This is a complete cash business hence there is scope of bad debts and collection issues.

• Flexibility: This business offers flexibility in terms of working hours. You can take up this business either in a full time or part time basis while still continuing with your routine job.

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Friday, March 05, 2010

Benefits Of Installing Planet Antares Vending Machines In Schools

Although a lot of debate has been going about installing vending machines in schools, schools still remain preferred location choices for most vendors. Some nutritionists, school management and parents still believe that vending machines offer unhealthy food to their children. In order to disprove this, modern day vending machines have made slight alterations in the products offered by them and have switched towards dispensing healthy snack and food items.

There are numerous benefits when it comes to installing vending machines in schools.

• As per the norms set by National Conference of State Legislatures in some states, junk food offered in vending machines is replaced by food with high nutritional values.

• Several schools in various cities have banned certain food items that were being offered in vending machines. These food items are now being replaced with healthy juices and low fat items.

• There are few schools and parents who are still in favour of vending machines since the money raised from these machines have been of immense use to these educational institutions.

• People who are in favour of installing vending machines in schools believe that students, particularly those in high school, should be able to take decisions on their own regarding food of their choice.

• There are still few schools who do not want to discard vending machines but make slight modifications in the products that are stocked in them. For instance: junk food offered in these machines should be replaced by water, fruit juices, nuts, low fat food products, milk and other healthy items.

• Despite health risks involved, school vending machines are ideal for generating huge revenue. Hence banning these machines completely may not be a good idea. Instead they should be encouraged to be stocked with healthy items rather than junk and high cholesterol food items.

If you are a vending operator, you need to make use of this business opportunity and install a healthy vending machine from Planet Antares now.

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Tuesday, March 02, 2010

New Vending Machines Secret of Success – Planet Antares

Vending has been a very lucrative business option. In fact this is the only business model that has been least impacted by recession and other economic fluctuations. In spite of these unstable market conditions, vending has been able to provide ample employment opportunities to several young and enthusiastic unemployed youth.

If all this is inspiring you to start your own vending business then go ahead. To begin with your very first move would be to purchase a vending machine. Purchase of vending machine is quite challenging. Why? There are several models of vending machines available in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors and price ranges. So, it is really tricky to buy the best machine at most reasonable price. For this to happen, operators need to browse the net, find out various kinds of machines available in the market, compare their prices and features and purchase one. Planet Antares has been trusted for over two decades, buying a machine with Planet Antares label not only brings the trust factor but also an association with the best in the business.

There is small complexity linked to buying a vending machine. Operators always have two choices when it comes to buying a vending machine. They can either purchase a new machine or go for a used one. Although each of these has its own benefits, operator needs to analyse and compare before arriving at a final decision.

Price is the only feature that attracts operators towards used vending machines. This in fact is the major mistake committed by many vending operators. Although these machines are priced low, in the long run they tend to cause a lot of inconvenience by frequent break downs. This would definitely impact your sales and at the same time spread bad reputation in the market.

A wise investment would be to purchase a new vending machine of reputed company. Since they are new, they come with a warranty and are also highly efficient in terms of performance. With a little research on the net, you can probably discover the best vending machine in town. A new vending machine is an attractive prospect for many young entrepreneurs who are looking for additional revenue.

Besides this, equipment brought from a reputed or established company with state of art technology will provide best services to its customers. A new and branded vending machine will be able to attract huge customer traffic thereby increases your sales. So, in case you are looking at purchasing a vending machine, go for a new one only.

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Monday, February 22, 2010

Vending Most Sort after Business Option

Vending is one of the oldest business models that have been in existence for quite some time now. The use of these machines was restricted initially to few items. However, with growing number of users, these machines gained huge acceptance and also underwent lot of changes to keep pace with changing needs of customers. This resulted in development of several models of vending machines like coin operated machines, electrical vending machines, mechanical vending machines and glass front vending machines.

In this process several new products were designed to be dispensed in these machines. In the beginning when vending machines were first introduced, their use was just limited to dispensing few products like coffee, newspaper, snacks and beverages. However, with changing times, modern machines are able to dispense almost all kinds of products like DVD, CD, mobiles and even insurance.

What makes this business so popular? The main reason behind increasing popularity of this business is it’s easy of operation. The capital, floor space and other operational costs required for this business are quite low when compared to many other business models. Besides, vending also gives you flexibility in terms of working hours and mode of operation. You can take start this business either on a full time basis or a part time basis and the best part is that you can operate it from your own residence.

Why do we take up any business? The answer is quite simple, to make profits and become financially independent. Both these aspects are easily achieved in vending business. The profit margins are very high in vending and being a complete cash business, operators stand huge chances of making high profits. In case you are a novice to this business, you can minimise your risk by operating on a small scale with one or two machines and gradually expand over a period of time.

All these aspects make vending the most sort after business. For more information and statistics about the vending business get in touch with Planet Antares – The leaders in vending business.

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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Vending Business Expansion Tips

Every business is started with a view to expand further. Although most operators start their business with one or two machines initially, they come to a stage where they need to plan for further expansion. There are various methods in which a vending operator can expand his existing business. Some of the most common methods of expansion are:Adding more number of vending machines: Operators can increase the product length by adding similar kind of products. For instance, if you sell Coke, then add Pepsi to it.
  • You can also increase the product line i.e., if you are selling soda, then add sandwiches to it.
  • Identify areas that need vending services and offer to locate your machines there. You can also identify prospective locations in your existing vending route.
  • If the vending route is becoming too complicated to handle, then employ a worker if required.
  • Try to advertise by distributing brochures or pamphlets. These direct channels of advertising can help in market penetrating.
  • Also try and utilize the indirect mode of advertising i.e., through word of mouth. Ensure that your customer is satisfied and suggests your product to ten other customers.
However if expansion process is not taken up properly, operators may incur huge expenses. Few factors that can help you in curtailing your costs while expansion are:Operator should always analyze his options by considering existing demand and future growth plans.
  • Ensure you have sufficient space to store additional stock keeping in mind future needs.
  • You also need to plan and have a clear cut idea about the space you would like to rent. Before renting the premises you also need to consider the time period for which you would like to rent it. This will directly affect the size of building and its associated costs.
  • In order to achieve your goals, you may also have to control your costs by managing your inventory efficiently and fix appropriate prices without forgoing your profits.
These aspects if borne in mind can bring you huge success in vending business. You can also get guidance from Planet Antares staff who have helped several entrepreneurs building their business.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Need of Branded Products in Vending Machine

It becomes mandatory to acquire thorough knowledge about the business you are about to take up. This helps in overcoming the intricacies associated with the business. Vending business is no exception to this. A proper market research is the only way for gathering detailed information about the business you are going to take up.

As more and more operators are resorting to vending business, competition is intensifying. To beat and sustain in this competitive market, operators need to come up with several new and attractive business strategies. Dispensing branded items is one such marketing strategy aimed at boosting individual sales.

What is a brand and how does it influence a business? Brand is a “name, sign, symbol or design or a combination of these intended to identify goods or services of one seller from those of the other. A good brand is successful in motivating customers, creating customer loyalty, gives clear message about the product and gains credibility.

Brand plays a crucial role in the success of your business. The main advantage of using branded items is faster and easier recognition across the globe which helps in stimulating instinct to purchase products and thus boost your sales. This holds good for retail industry where branded products get sold faster than the unbranded ones.

Being a Planet Antares vending operator, it is imperative that you place branded products in your machines. Since these products are popular nationally, they get sold easily and you need not take up any promotional activities for enhancing their sales. Customers will automatically purchase them as they are already familiar with them. Ideally glass front vending machines are appropriate for vending these branded products.

Moreover, it is easier to sell branded products as most customers prefer branded products since they are faster and cheaper. If you are selling unbranded products alone, you need to take up some promotional activities to boost your sales. So, a smart vending operator would offer both branded and unbranded products together.

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Friday, February 12, 2010

Starting a Vending Business

How do I go about while starting a vending business? This is a very common question that keeps haunting the minds of every new and upcoming vending operator. There are few steps which you need to follow before starting a vending business. The first and most important of all is the objective behind taking up this business. How much are you willing to invest? And how long within what time span do you expect to see the results?

To start with an operator needs to think about the following:

Where are you going to locate your vending machine? Are you going to install it within a rented space or outside? When it comes to installation an operator has wide range of choices to choose from. Schools, offices, commercial complexes, shopping malls, amusement parks, and recreation clubs are some of the preferred locations you can choose from.

What kind of vending machine are you going to purchase? There are various models of vending machines available in various shapes, colors and sizes. It is at the discretion of the vending operator to choose. He can either go for a candy machine, gumball machine, toy vending machine, newspaper machine, snack and beverage machine or healthy food vending machine. It is always recommended to buy the best machines from reputed manufacturers like Planet Antares who have won trust of millions with great designs and robust performance.

What is the need for the product in that particular area? Is their any necessity of the product you are about to dispense? This is very crucial as the fate of your business is dependent on this question. The product you are about to dispense should be able to meet the requirements of the local residents in that particular area.

How much traffic do you expect in front of your vending machine? Vending is purely a customer centric business. The more the number of customers you are able to draw towards your machine, the greater the chances of its success. Hence operators should make sure that the locality in which you install your machine includes maximum number of your target audience.

One thing which every operator need to bear in mind is that vending is like any other business model and you need a proper plan, budget and marketing strategy to make it a grand success.

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Monday, February 08, 2010

Starting a Vending Business

Starting a vending business of your own is really very exciting. It is imperative that operator takes up thorough market research in order to become successful in your project. Never rush into any business opportunity without understanding its ins and outs.

It is mandatory that every operator looks at all the possibilities and checks with business bureau before taking up any business venture. An operator also needs to enquire about the existing state laws and regulations in which he would be operating. Since these laws vary from one state to another, operator needs to know them before hand.

The kind of machine you purchase also influences the success or failure of your business. Operators can either go for simple machines capable of dispensing one product at a time or go for machines that can dispense more than one product at a time. The make and technology included in the machine would be reflected in its cost. In case you are new to this profession, you can depend upon Planet Antares who can help you out while setting up your own vending business.

Your first step before starting a vending business would be to decide on which product you would like to dispense. Selecting a product is also quite challenging as there are various products available in the market. Operator can choose anything right from an ATM, DVD, propane, flowers, health food, games, personal hygiene products and many more.

Your next step in establishing this business would be to identify the best location for installing your machine. Schools, offices, shopping malls, recreation centers, gyms, health clubs, hospitals, railway stations, bus stations are some of the commonly used locations for placing your machines. The choice however, would depend on the kind of product you are dispensing and whom you are targeting at.

Besides these factors, operator also need to take proper care of maintenance and servicing of the machine in order to ensure smooth functioning of his machine.

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Monday, February 01, 2010

Benefits Of Starting Vending Business

Vending business is taken up by various new and upcoming entrepreneurs for various reasons. Some take up this business in order to make some additional income while others take up as their main source of income. One of the unique features of this business is that you do not need any special skill set or experience to get started.

Like other businesses vending is not a get rich soon kind of business. You need to put in a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed in this business. To begin with you need to do a thorough market research. This would help you in understanding the present market scenario, customer needs, their tastes and preferences and the products with maximum demand. It also helps you in understanding what vending business is all.

The key to successful vending is by installing right kind of machine in right location. This may sound very easy but locating the best site is really a tough challenge. Locating good sites takes lot of work, lot of sales calls and being rejected several times. You can take the support of your friends or prospective customers by asking them about the need for new machines in their work place. Try to gather leads and follow up each lead before closing the deal.

Each location has different set of customer needs and you need to place your machines accordingly. After installing your machine, you also need to strive to compete with other competitors in that particular area. By offering quality products and by keeping your machines well serviced and clean you can attract customers.

Owing a vending business is undoubtedly one of the best ways of making money without working for long strenuous hours. Proper planning and strategic implementation of plans can help you make huge profits. To implement such planning , you will need to take guidance of Planet Antares staff, who have experience and knowledge of vending business.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Tips While Selecting Products for Your Vending Machine

Nowadays vending machines are seen almost everywhere across the globe. Convenience, instant service and ability to dispense wide variety of products at reasonable prices to customers of all age groups make them very popular. Of all other countries, it has been found that vending machines have gained huge acceptance in US. People here are so used to these machines, that they spend more that $60 billion towards purchasing products from vending machines.

In case you are a novice looking to start your business, the best place to get started are wholesale clubs. Some of these stores offer members huge savings when they make bulk purchase. Hence it is beneficial for the operator as he would be saving some money which could be used for his business development.

If you are considering vending candy, go for mass purchases or look for distributors who offer merchandising rebates. Even if you are able to save little amount, that can be used for further development and expansion of your business. Try to vend products that are in constant demand and which can be supplied easily. Soda is one such product that has both consistent demand and at the same time can be supplied easily.

Try to offer latest and innovative products in your vending machine. This is quite handy in raising your sales since most customers prefer novelty. They like to experiment with various new products that enter the market. So, don’t hesitate to offer a different selection of products to your target audience. This will not only keep your customers satisfied but also give you a competitive advantage over existing players in the market.

Another aspect which all operators need to bear is that the products offered in their machine should be fairly priced. Most customers would be willing to try out new products that are fairly priced, even if they are not familiar with it. This method will not only increase your customer’s brand awareness but also keep them loyal and committed towards you.

Careful product selection and strategically placing them in the right location would definitely make vending a huge success.

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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Advantages of Starting Your Own Vending Business

Most of us look for some additional sources of income besides the regular jobs we undertake. However due to time and money constraints, we only keep thinking but never try to implement. For all such people out there, vending is the perfect solution. This is a very simple business model that does not require any prior experience or specialised skills.

This does not mean that you can become rich and famous over night. Success cannot be achieved in a day. You need to put in a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed. To begin with you need to do a thorough market research. This would help you in understanding the present market scenario, customer needs, their tastes and preferences and the products with maximum demand. It also helps you in understanding what vending business is all about.

Once you have decided to take up this business, you can surf the net to find out various vending machines offered for sale. After purchasing a vending machine, your next and most important step would be strategically placing them. If you think that you can place your Planet Antares machine in any crowded area and just sit back waiting to count your revenue, you are thoroughly mistaken. You need to identify the perfect location for your kind of machine which is in turn influenced by the kind of product you offer and the type of customers you cater to. Conducting a small research is really very useful. In this way you would not only be able to know the areas that already have similar machines but also understand how they are performing.

Each location is different and unique in itself. Hence, you need to place your machines accordingly. After installing your machine, you also need to strive to compete with other competitors in that particular area. By offering quality products and by keeping your machines well serviced and clean you can attract customers.

This is perhaps the only business model that allows you to be your own boss with flexible working hours, no area restrictions and a lot of free time to enjoy with your family and friends.

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Vending Not A Tough Nut To Crack If You Understand Its Basics

Vending is one of the very few business opportunities that is least affected by recession or other economic downturns. Besides this low capital requirement, zero employees, high profit margins make it most popular choice among operators. These features have been able to draw more and more customers towards this business. Thus the number of operators taking up this business has increased manifold. Vending industry also faces stiff competition from shopping malls and other retail outlets.

It is quite challenging for this industry to withstand this competition and create a unique identity for itself in this competitive world. For this to happen, vending operator needs to under stand working of this industry from a broader perspective. It has also been observed that there are few operators who quit this business unable to grasp the basics clearly. Getting lured by the returns and benefits of this industry, they often ignore the necessity of proper planning and its strategic implementation.

Few tips on how to withstand this competition are mentioned below:

• Try to be specific in what you sell. Do not vend more than what you can manage. Concentrate on few products and switch to bulk vending if possible for better results.

• The establishment and running costs of vending business is low compared to other businesses. This business does not require you to hire sales personnel and being a complete cash business, there is no scope for bad debts. These benefits allow you to price products at lesser price when compared to other shopping malls or retail outlets.

• Vending has gained huge popularity among people who hardly have time to wait in long queue for billing or purchasing products. This machine provides you with the convenience of pick and go. So ensure that you stock your machine with sufficient quantity of stock. This will help boost your sales.

• Always prefer latest and new machines. Discourage used or refurbished machines. New machines are more reliable and ensure smooth operations.

• Adopt marketing strategies. Provide discounts and special offers that can increase your sales.


• Prefer glass front vending machines from Planet Antares when compared to closed ones. These machines enable customers to see the products which they would be purchasing. Not only this, glass front machines help you in identifying outdated stock which can be easily removed.

These tips if implemented properly are sure to give you a huge success.

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Friday, January 08, 2010

Packaging-Crucial-In-Vending-Business

How is that we are able to identify few products easily? The entire credit goes to its packaging. But what is packaging? Why is it so important? The typical definition of packaging goes like this- Packaging is the art of enclosing or protecting products before they are sent for distribution, storage, sale or use. Besides making the product look attractive, packaging is done to protect the product, prevent it from contamination, and create convenience during transport, security and most importantly as a marketing strategy. Whatever may be the reason, from business point of view packaging is done to enhance sales.

The kind of product you offer is no doubt important but what is even more important is how it is being offered? “First impression is the best impression” this holds good even in marketing a product. Product packing should be in such a way that a customer is persuaded to purchase the moment he sees the product. Hence packaging should be done in such a way that the beauty of the product is highlighted.

Besides quality and cost, customers give equal or perhaps more priority to the way in which the product is packed and offered for sale. This is one reason why manufacturers do not hesitate spending thousands of dollars on packaging of a product.

How can packaging influence sales of a product?

• Customers tend to judge a product by its looks: Customers cannot feel the product or see it unless they purchase it. The first thing that strikes them or impresses them when they look at a product is its packaging. Hence they judge the product based on its look and even decide whether to purchase it or not.

• Sometimes attractive packaging urges customer to try the product: The beauty of packing sometimes drives customer to purchase and try the product.

• Packaging acts as a shield and protects product from damages.

• Packaging highlights the features of the product.

If you are using a glass front vending machine from planet Antares for dispensing products, packaging becomes very vital as customers can see through the machine and choose the product before they purchase it.

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Monday, January 04, 2010

Vending-Irresistible Businesses

In spite of several new and promising business opportunities sprouting up, vending has not lost its charm. What is that which make this highly preferred business opportunity?

This can be viewed from two aspects- customer and operator perspective.

Customer perspective: What is that which customers long? Instant services backed up by convenience and quality. This is what customers expect from any provider. All these features are available in a vending machine. Technology advancement has helped this industry to grow further at a faster pace. Machines which were once capable of dispensing selective items are now able to dispense almost all products now. Modern customers are too busy to stand in queues waiting to buy products. With the help of these machines you can buy anything of your choice at the click of a single button.

Operator perspective: If you are a businessman looking for some low risk investment option, then vending is appropriate for you. This business can be taken up by anyone on a full time or part time basis. Moreover it does not require any specific skill set or knowledge. The main advantages of vending business are:

• Low capital: unlike other businesses, vending does not require huge capital or floor space for its establishment. This business can be operated even from your residence.

• Complete cash business: This is an all cash business. So, operators need not bother about bad debts.

• Uninterrupted services: Since this is a machine run business, there is no time limit. Hence business can be run round the clock.

• Tax exemption: Operators can claim tax exemption.

• Ease of operation: Machines are designed based on target customers. Moreover these machines can be operated by anyone. Hence they can draw customers towards them.

• Over head costs: Overhead, repair and maintenance costs in this business are also low when compared to other business ventures.

All these benefits make vending most irresistible business. For more insight into the business contact Planet Antares.

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