Tips on starting a vending machine business - Planet Antares

Are you looking for a business that gives you complete flexibility in every decision you make? If your answer is affirmative, vending machine business is ideal for you. However, just like any other business model, profits generated by this business are also influenced by the kind of decisions you take and strategies you design. Success of vending machine business is dependent on several factors that are taken at the time of starting this business.

A perfect combination of products, machine and location along with prompt and timely servicing and maintenance can help you reap huge profits with minimal efforts. Besides these, there are several aspects which you need to take into consideration for making your business highly profitable.

Location of your vending machine is most crucial and greatly influences the success levels of your business. Visibility and accessibility are the two most important aspects which operators need to bear in mind while locating their vending machines. Some of the most commonly used vending locations are shopping malls, street corners, coffee shops, movie theatres, pubs, schools, offices, restaurants, banks and recreation and health clubs. However, choice of location is determined by the products you dispense and your target audience.

The success of your Planet Antares vending machine business also depends on the kind of machine you use. Operators need to carry out an initial survey in order to find out the various kinds of machines available in the market, their reputation and benefits of using them. The kind of vending machine you purchase is also influenced by your financial limitations. However, it is always advisable to start this business by purchasing a new vending machine. New machines are highly efficient and hence chances for break down are very low.

Vending business is undoubtedly profitable and potential opportunities available for operators. But this business can meet your expectation if and only if operators pay close attention to minute details.

Reasons for Taking up Planet Antares Vending Machine Business

The success of vending industry can be attributed to technological advancements made. Latest technology and software has helped vendors in managing large routes with ease and excellence. Maintenance of vending machines is another important aspect that impacts the success of vending business.

Besides all these the benefits it offers to operators is making them highly popular among operators. Some of these benefits are:


• Profit margins: This business gives high profit margins. You can purchase a product at low price and sell it with huge margin.

• Complete cash business: Most business has chances of running into bad debts. While vending is a complete cash business. So there is no scope for bad debts and other related collection issues.

• Extra money: In these times of recessions, most of us are looking at other sources of income that can support are regular earnings. Vending is a perfect choice. This business allows you to proceed with your regular job and take up vending on a part time basis. If you feel that it is a success, you can either take it up on a full time basis on continue as a part time option.

• Flexibility: No other business gives you this kind of flexibility. There are no fixed working hours. All you need is to spare few hours a day for restocking the machine and servicing it.

• Salesmen: You need not hire any sales staff. Sales are completely done by your vending machine. Hence you are free from labour issues.

• Additional costs: In case you are vending branded items, you need not incur huge advertising costs as the company would take care of all that. Even otherwise, most of the advertising is done by customers through their word of mouth.

• Revenue: Planet Antares business starts generating revenue from the very moment you set up your machine and fill it with sufficient quality of stock.

• Similar to other business, vending also gives you tax exemptions and benefits.

How To Start Planet Antares Vending Business

The very idea of starting your own vending business is great. Few models of vending machines allow operators to make high profit margins and thus give you financial independence and also improve your individual life style. What is that which you need to consider while taking up this business? This article aims at answering this simple question:

• You may not be able to reap huge profits from day one itself. Do not get disheartened as you would gradually pick up as you get acquaintance to this business model.

• If you have limited funds, you can go ahead by purchasing an existing route or start with basic models of new vending machines from Planet Antares.

• Before purchasing any machine, surf the net and gather information about various models of vending machines available and their prices.

• Design new systems for maximising income at all locations by stocking your machines with adequate quantity of products.

• Track moment or sales of products in your machines and try to offer new products on a regular basis.

• Keep an eye on your competitors and their strategic moves.

• Ensure that your target customer’s needs are taken note of and products are offered accordingly.

• Make sure that your machines do not run out of products. This would only increase the risk of loosing your customers to your competitors.

• A vending operator needs to be well organised, manage his time properly and keep himself updated with latest systems.

• If required make use of some promotional activities that can help in drawing attention of new customers towards you.

• Always start on a small scale and expand gradually over a period of time. Never make any hasty decisions.

• Thorough market research is mandatory before starting any business. This research would help you understand the ins and outs of this business thoroughly

These simple tips if borne in mind can bring you guaranteed results.

How to Find Vending Locations for Planet Antares Machines

From the time vending machines have been first introduced, schools, offices, factories, malls and recreation centers have always remained to be popular location choices for most operators. The main criterion here is to find locations that people visit most often. Although there are several busy streets and locations, choice of one depends on the kind of product you dispense and also on your target customers.

There are few things which you need to consider while looking for a prospective location.

• If you are planning to install your Planet Antares machine in an office or factory, find out how many employees work there. You also need to find out if you are the first one to install your machine here or is there anyone else operating his machine there.

• Demand and supply: Before finalising on one particular location, operators need to find out if there is sufficient demand for the product he is about to offer.

• Commutation: There is no point in locating you machine in a place where people cannot reach or where commutation is a problem.

• Visibility and accessibility are two factors that determine the success of your business. Make sure that the location in which you install your machine is not only nearby but also easily accessible to customers.


How can you find a prospective location? There are several methods of locating new and high customer traffic localities. You may do it all by yourself or even take the support and guidance of a locator. To start with, you can make use of flyers that carry information about the various services offered and contact details. Flyers is the best method hen it comes to collecting information related to existing operators in the locality, most commonly used models of vending machines, their prices, services offered and similar information that impacts the success of your business.

Once you collect leads, it is up to the operator to close the deal on location. Operators also need to be aware of the various local and state regulations relating to placement of vending machine. For instance: there are few states that do not allow vending machines to be placed outdoor. A thorough knowledge of all these would enable you to run your business smoothly without any operational hiccups.

What Operators Need to Understand For Becoming Successful In Planet Antares Vending Business

Keeping customers happy and satisfied is the key for successful vending business. At every point of time customers need to feel that they are important and even a minor change in their needs is being taken care of by operators. Although vending has been in existence for quite some time, this business has been through lot of changes with changing time. This industry which started on a small note gradually gained huge acceptance among people and gradually were used to dispense all kinds of products and services.

Modern market is customer dominated market. Hence an operator in order to become successful, needs to understand the changing needs and wants of customers and offer products and services that meet their requirements and expectations.

Understanding the changing tastes and preferences of customers is crucial for success of vending business. For instance: these days’ more and more people are becoming health conscious. Customers are trying to cut down on their carbohydrate and fat intake and increase their protein intake. So there is huge demand for health drinks, snacks and healthy food products. In such a situation, an operator needs to make changes in the products he vends. He should try stocking his machine with roasted peanuts, protein bars, health drinks and similar products instead of junk food. Once you gain confidence of customers, then there is no looking back in this business. You can retain your existing customer as well as attract new ones.

Word of mouth is the best advertising strategy in this industry. One satisfied customer refers ten others from his family or friends circle. In addition to this, if the operator comes up with some special discounts and offers, then you can lure many more customers towards your business. Customer trust can be gained by offering best quality, reliable, branded products with latest features.

These things if properly implemented can make your business a huge success.

How to Start New Vending Business – Planet Antares Solutions

Starting a new vending business right from the scratch is quite challenging. There are few things which you need to know before you can actually start your own business. Right from procurement of vending machines to understanding the legal implications in that particular state, you have to learn a lot. Critical information like this can always be gathered either from internet or successful businessmen operating in the same line.

Before you proceed any further, you need to know what vending is all about. As an operator you are completely responsible for identifying new locations, choosing right kind of products and machines for meeting the requirements of your target customers. Location is critical for your success, so select only those locations that have steady customer flow.

Having decided on the location, you need to contact the premises owner, decide on the commission you would have to pay from your profit margins. Try to bargain on the commission to be paid since you cannot estimate how successful your business would turn out to be at least at this stage.

Having finalised on the right location for installing your vending machine, you next step is to identify a right supplier. Look for credible suppliers who can provide you with high quality products to be stocked in your machines. When it comes to choosing a vending machine, consider the location in which you would install them, your target customers and the products you would dispense in them.

Whatever you do or choose, make sure you start on a small scale. Once you start making good profits, you can switch to higher and better versions of vending machines. After purchasing a machine, stocking it and placing it in a location, you need to develop a routine for checking, restocking and proper maintenance of your machine. You also have to arrange for means to collect cash on a timely basis. This if not done may cause jam in your machine and thus affect your sales.

Last and most important thing which you need to remember is to learn from others experience. This would not only give you good guidance but also save a lot of time and money.

Tips for Identifying the Right Vending Location – Planet Antares

We often hear that the most important factor that determines the success of a vending business is location, location and location. When you are looking for a place to install your vending machine, finding right vending location is crucial for ensuring immediate profits and instant success.

What is that which can help you in identifying the right vending location? Few tips that can help you in identifying the perfect location are:

• Target audience and manpower are the two factors that need to be kept in mind while choosing a vending location. The kind of location you choose should not only be accessible to your customers but also to your employees.

• The number of customers or in other words customer foot traffic and its quality also needs to be borne in mind while finalising vending location.

• Security should also be considered. Security here is not just limited to the security of vending machines but also that of your customers and employees. Is the location easily accessible to customers? Is there ample parking space? Even these minute details have to be taken in to consideration while choosing vending location.

• Number of competitors existing and operating in the current location also needs to be considered by the operator. Try to target niche and untargeted market segments for installing your equipment. However, if you believe that business is profitable and you are looking to penetrate the existing market, then the best place to put your machine is close to your competitor.

• Operators need to have or update themselves with the other kinds of businesses being operated in that locality. This would help you in taking appropriate marketing or advertising strategies.

• It is mandatory that operator is well versed with the rules and regulations of the city or state in which he/she is operating. Usually rules vary from one state to another. Hence an operator needs to update himself on these before installing his machine.

• Although expansion may not be your immediate move, operators should be optimistic and start thinking about expansion once he has gained sufficient expertise in this business. This will help in determining potential of desired location.

Planet Antares can help you build your vending business by guiding you in building your business processes so that you are able to create a model that is profitable for you.