Planet Antares | Planet Antares Inc | Planet Antares Vending

A blog to discuss vending solutions provided by Planet Antares Inc

Monday, December 28, 2009

Precautionary measures while Purchasing a Vending Machine

Selection of location, product and machine play an important role in the vending machine business. To reach desired aims and to get expected returns it is very important to buy the correct vending machine. With different vending machines available in the market, confusion subdues the operator in making an exact decision for purchasing a vending machine. It becomes immensely tough for him to select an appropriate vending machine for his vending business. It is very important for the operator to check the following factors while purchasing a vending machine for a profitable vending business.


Here are some useful tips that you should follow while purchasing a vending machine:

1) It is important to look for the sturdiness of a machine which determines how long the machine can perform without facing a problem.

2) Attractiveness of the machine should not be neglected as it is important to consider the design of the machine if it will suit a location or not.

3) Features must be given a look. Checking for the latest features and purchasing a vending machine with the state-of-the-art technology helps you in the establishment of your business.

4) Preference should be given to multiple machines such as Planet Antares Office Deli that can vend various products.

5) A survey is necessary about the company— its support (pre and post sales), business, experience in the industry, and other factors that can help in the establishment of your vending business.

6) It should be especially checked that the machine is not refurbished. A refurbished or used machine may cost cheap but due to their maintenance, they cost much in the longer run.

Proper implementation and execution of these points may enhance your chances of establishing a profitable vending business.

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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Need For Healthy Vending

America is confronted with an unending challenge which is nothing but drastic increase in obesity rate. Automatic merchandising is being blamed as the main cause of this. In such circumstance, healthy vending has been gaining huge importance among customers of all age groups.

What has lead to this situation? Changing food habits and lifestyles is the first and foremost reason. However, the adverse effects of obesity are forcing people to change their eating habits thus more and more customers are switching towards healthy food. Modern customers are more cognizant of nutrition than ever before. Vending industry has been helping people eat healthier food for the past few years.

This revolution towards healthy food has lead to introduction of low fat products for the first time in mid 1990. The major difference is that media has been focusing a lot of attention on child obesity only in the past few years. But is this close supervision by media influence the customer to act differently? Yes, operators have been noticing more changes in customers than at any time in the past vending operators mainly feel that customers have no other option but to pay more attention to nutritious diet.

It has also been observed that consumers buying habits have not changed drastically. Nevertheless, as consumers become more knowledgeable about nutrition, operators believe that in due course of time, their habits will also change. When an operator places healthy products in his vending machine, consumers would definitely buy them. This has been proved over time with increased sales of low fat and low carb items in vending machines.

This is also one of the latest trends and you as an operator should make use of it. Meeting consumer demand is not the only challenge for a vending operator. News reports show that vending is being affected in different ways. This issue has affected the thinking of many account decision makers who are no longer willing to leave the product selection to vending operator.

As operator are becoming aware of increase scope and growing market for organic, natural and nutritious food, they are considering replacing junk food in their shelves with these items. Thus, trying to encash this new trend.

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Latest Changes in Vending Industry

Vending industry is subject to more changes than ever before. The present economic conditions, market scenario and fierce competition have made it entirely different from what it was few decades back. Since its inception, this industry has been subject to wide variety of changes.

In order to survive in this market sustaining severe competition, operators need to keep themselves updated with these changes. If you would like to establish yourself in this market by creating a unique identity for yourself, you need to come up with new and improved strategies. New vending machines with latest features can give you an edge over your competitors amidst this severe competition.

It is imperative for operators to keep pace with changing needs and trends of the market. Few strategies that can help you stay ahead of your competitors are achieving high per capita sales, open new markets; introduce new products and making use of latest technology and software. The use of these can benefit you in several ways.

• Keeping costs under control: If you are aiming at improving the efficiency of your vending machines, you need to cut down on your expenses. However, this is not as easy as it may sound to be. Cutting costs does not mean reducing the commission to be paid to premises owner or other mandatory expenses. Cost cutting here would mean reducing unnecessary expenses. For instance maintaining manual sales reports when the same can be done with the help of latest technology. This can not only save your stationery and labour cost but also increase the work efficiency. Cutting costs is not mandatory if proper expense management system is practiced. Hence it is important to have strong controls and preventive measures in place.

• Vending software: Thanks to technological advancement. It has help operators in several ways and one such way is by developing software which is capable of tracking moment of products across counters, inventory control and ware house routing. All these aim at reducing wastage there by increasing revenues.

It is vital for all vending operators to have proper cost controls in place. This not only reduces unnecessary expenses but also improves the performance efficiency of your machines.

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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Product Flexibility In Vending Machine

The unique feature of vending business is complete control of over actions. Operator has complete control over all his decisions right from choosing vending machine, products and location for placing them.

To begin with, purchase new vending machine from an established and reputed company Planet Antares. This will ensure in smooth functioning, sales and overall performance of the machine. In case there is any financial constraint, you can also hire a vending machine instead of purchasing one. Post procurement of vending machine, your next step would be to stock it with branded products.

This can be done in various ways. You can wither go for a wholesaler who can provide you with vending products or even go for bulk purchasing form the vending company itself. Based on your budgetary constraints, you can place specific product or a combination of them in your machine.

Several surveys have been conducted nationally in order to identify most preferred products. Operators need to equip and update themselves with such information. It is always advisable to go for combination of products. The main benefit of this is that even if a single product misses out, it can be compensated by sales of other products. Another advantage of offering diverse products is that customers come back for repeat purchases and as a result your sales would go up.

Stocking branded products is definitely a good idea because these products are more durable, reliable, fresh, are of high quality and famous internationally. Because of all these features, operators need not spend additional money on their promotional activities.

However, it becomes imperative for the operator to check for the quality and freshness of the product before purchasing it. Another important thing which operators need to take care of is not to stock any product that has gone past its date of expiry. This will not only affect your sales but also create bad image in the market.

Operators also need to make sure that they stock their machines with products that match the location and your target customers. Product flexibility is alone capable boosting sales and at the same time satisfy customers.

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Friday, December 4, 2009

Vending An Easy Business

It is the common dream of most businessmen to become successful in their line of operations and lead a luxurious life. In this process you quite often come across several hurdles in the form of investment, rate of return, time constraints etc. If this is what is stopping you from reaching your goal, then we can solve your problem. Unlike other businesses, vending is least demanding and allows you to fulfil your dreams with minimum efforts and hard work.

In fact, vending is one of the unique business opportunities that give you financial freedom, allow you to control time, money and be your own boss. This is perhaps the only all cash business across the globe. Proper planning and hard work allows you to make money within no time. Contact Planet Antares support for a detailed insight into the vending business.

The initial capital required for starting this business is also low when compared to other ventures. As an operator you can enjoy tax benefits and low overhead costs. You are not expected to work for endless hours sacrificing your personal life. The work is minimal in this business and collecting and accounting you cash is all that is required of you. Since you are the owner and beneficiary of this business as well, you are answerable to none other than your own self.

Operators are also free from the headache of procuring huge floor space for installation of vending machine. This business can be taken up from your residence itself as it required very low floor space. You are also not burdened with high overhead and maintenance costs. Regular cleaning, servicing and maintenance of your machines would prevent them from sudden breakdowns.

No rented office space, no expensive equipment, no sales force, no stationery and paper works makes vending a very simple and easy business to take up. Even home makers can take up to this business on a part time basis for an additional source of income. Thus you need not forgo the interests of your family and children while running your own business.

As long as you purchase new vending machines of reputed brands from established companies, you need not worry about their performance efficiency and effectiveness. Due diligence of the vending operator can make this business a huge success and long lasting.

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