Top 4 vending machine business trends in 2021
In recent years, buying goods through vending machines has gradually become a trend in Vietnam, especially in the context of the complicated situation of the Covid-19 epidemic everywhere. A vending machine is a great solution not only for consumers but also for entrepreneurs.
Let's find out vending machine’s new business trends in 2021 with Dropfoods.
1. Vending machines for the sale of medical products and medicines
Along with the outbreak of the pandemic is a great demand for basic health care items such as medical masks and hand sanitizer.
Faced with this situation, vending machine investors in Vietnam have sold face masks in public areas such as commercial centers, supermarkets, amusement parks, schools and quickly achieve ideal revenue.
Grasping this trend, the Japanese and US governments have provided Covid-19 test kits through vending machines at public locations. This is considered a great solution to reduce costs and resources for clinics and hospitals while ensuring social distancing during the time that the epidemic is still complicated.
In addition, according to a report by The Business Research Company - a UK company specializing in market and consumer research, more and more pharmacies are using vending machines to dispense commonly used medicines such as pain relievers, fever reducers, cough syrups, etc. through which customers do not need to go directly to the pharmacy or hospital.
With practical benefits for consumers, buying medicines and medical products through vending machines is predicted to become a typical trend for 2021.
2. Vending machines that provide healthy products
Healthy eating is a strong trend that has been present in Vietnam from the end of 2019 until now, especially during the pandemic, this trend has become more and more popular.
Facing the ever-growing healthy food market, the vending machine industry has also transformed to meet the demand of the modern consumer.
Besides providing sugar-free, low-calorie products, some retailers also sell vegan, plant-based, and gluten-free foods through vending machines alongside their regular products in order to attract customers.
Therefore, it can be seen that the healthy vending machine model will form a new trend for quite a long time, not only in 2021.
3. Vending machine for personal belongings
When it comes to vending machines, many people will immediately think of junk food such as snacks, sweets, and carbonated drinks. However, that is slowly changing.
The Covid-19 epidemic has changed the behavior of consumers. These days customers want to buy essential items quickly with limited contact with many people and vending machines are a perfect choice for that matter.
Along with the appearance of vending machines for personal items, consumers can buy personal care products such as shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, razors, ... without needing to go directly to convenience stores or supermarkets. It can be said that this is a potential business trend for entrepreneurs while everyone is still practicing social distancing.
4. Vending kiosk for online shoppers
Besides vending machines for personal belongings, one of the world's leading retailers Walmart has implemented a vending kiosk model for online orders.
Consumers will buy and pay for their orders online, then Walmart employees will package the orders and place them at the store kiosks. When customers arrive, they simply scan the barcode and retrieve their order without interacting directly with the staff.
Although launched by Walmart in 2017, this business model is still not popular in the world. However, this can be a great solution that retailers can apply to cope with business difficulties while the epidemic is still complicated.
In order to survive and adapt to the challenging and volatile market during the Covid pandemic, businessmen must transform to meet the demand of consumers. These are 4 main trends that vending machine entrepreneurs can consider to devise a suitable business strategy, meet consumer tastes in order to increase sales in 2021.
Reference Links:
The Business Research Company. “Medicine Vending Machines Are A Major Trend In The Pharmacies And Healthcare Stores Market.” IntradoGlobeNewswire, 2021, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/03/25/2199554/0/en/Medicine-Vending-Machines-Are-A-Major-Trend-In-The-Pharmacies-And-Healthcare-Stores-Market.html. Accessed 25 03 2021.
“Your Favorite Store Might Be Replaced With a Giant Vending Machine.” COUPONS IN THE NEWS, 2017, https://couponsinthenews.com/2017/09/26/your-favorite-store-might-be-replaced-with-a-giant-vending-machine/. Accessed 26 09 2017.
