Sales Trend For Vending Operators

As per the 2005 Automatic Merchandiser State of the Vending Industry Report, the vending industry reported its first sales gain since the recession that began in 2001. As the economy recovers slowly, the vending industry’s total sales rose to $21.26 billion. The main drivers of this growth has been the higher product sales. Planet Antares vending operators were also faced with an increase in operating costs along with the increase in product prices.

A recent study showed that consumers are drinking more speciality coffee. The percentage of Americans who drink coffee daily is also going up. Apart from the coffee in their workplace, the consumers are also going out to buy coffee. This is a great opportunity for coffee vending machine operators to grab a larger market share and increase sales and profits.

Over the past years, vending operators had to face the challenge of pulling equipment out of large traditional industrial accounts. This resulted in a fall of the manufacturing/warehouse/fabrication accounts below 30% of the total customers in the vending industry in 2004. Such shifts in the customer base indicate the changes witnessed in the nation’s workforce.

Recently, it was reported that many vending operators retreated from accounts in schools and correctional facilities. They realized that these accounts were based on commissions and must be periodically rebid. Moreover, the school authorities consider these vending machines as direct competition to their schools and not as support service. The nutritional restrictions also compromised the school accounts to a great extent. As a Planet antares vending operator, you can place healthier food items in the vending machines.