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Every expo gives a reading on the industry’s “temperature,” and the Las Vegas convention in March was no exception. The turnout for Brad Bachtelle’s 5-hour profitability improvement seminar drew a standing-room-only crowd, reflecting the pressure operators currently feel and their desire to meet the challenge.

The show floor once again featured some interesting technological innovations. New this year was a system that dispenses redeemable coupons from vending machines. Besides bringing extra value to the vending purchase, it turns vending machines into direct marketing tools for special retail offers, enabling consumer product marketers to reach audiences in a new and effective way.

Reinforcing this theme in more than one booth were digital video screens imbedded in vending machines, another innovation that allows vending to assume a powerful new marketing role.

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

Every year, innovations offer more opportunities for an industry that has become increasingly unprofitable in its current modus operandi. Making the leap from the present to the future will take time, effort and commitment.

The task is daunting, but the possibilities are almost limitless.

Cashless transaction capability and remote monitoring have provided new tools not only for improving traditional vending, but for vending whole new categories of merchandise.

NON-TRADITIONAL MERCHANDISE

Efforts to introduce non-traditional merchandise to the full-line vending industry have been around for awhile. Some manufacturers have developed dedicated machines for products like office supplies, consumer electronics and cell phones.

Some established vending equipment manufacturers recognize that the full-line vending operator is the most logical channel to bring new retail concepts to market.