subject: Should you add Vending Machines when Running a Dollar Store? [print this page] Should you add Vending Machines when Running a Dollar Store?
Who could have ever imagined all of the seemingly trivial questions facing those who are running a dollar store? Answers are needed for everything from how much cash to keep in reserve for daily cash register set-up and change to what products to place on end cap displays throughout the store. One area of concern that raises many questions is around increasing total sales and profits. That is where questions about adding vending machines, ATMs and the like arise. In fact when you specifically look at the small amount of space required to install a small gumball machine, toy bouncing balls vending, and machines offering mystery prizes of all types, you must ask if this might be a very good addition to the mix in your store. In this article I we examine vending machines in more detail.
* Small space requirement The amount of floor space required by most vending machines is very small indeed. Even some ATM machines can take less than 10 square feet of floor space. With the small space requirement the question really comes down to the amount of demand there will be. After all, a small area with zero sales does you no good at all.
* Low overhead required for cleaning and management While it may takes many hours to keep all of the aisles and displays in the sales area of your store clean, straightened and stocked, there is very little overhead required to maintain the area occupied by vending machines. You will need to sweep, dust, clean glass and periodically refill most machines. Beyond that little is required.
* Small investment possible by sharing profits If you feel adding a small number of vending machines to a high-traffic area in the front of your store might be a good opportunity you should consider sharing the profits with someone else to begin. They own the machine, machine maintenance, inventory and refilling. You receive a percentage of sales for providing the floor space. Once the idea proves itself you can then consider buying your own machines.
* One more way to make a last minute sale to departing shoppers As mentioned previously, those running a dollar store should try to place machines in high traffic areas close to the front of their store. Then look to the vending machines as a means of collecting one last sale as shoppers are exiting the store.
