INDUSTRY
OUTLOOK
5 key
growth trends
in 2013
V
ending has always been a customer-oriented industry,
offering the public convenient food and beverage options
at an affordable price — anytime, anywhere. The industry has evolved over the years from the traditional coinoperated vending machine to unattended micro markets,
cashless vending, touch screens and coffee services, to
name a few.
So how will the industry continue to evolve in 2013? We
asked the experts, and they collectively agree that it must advance
by giving customers what they want — including convenience,
value and quality.
"When I look at our industry and our three business lines [vending, micro markets and coffee service], I tend to look at it holistically, and think we will remain strong with some growth in 2013,"
said Carla Balakgie, president and CEO of the National Automatic
Merchandising Association (NAMA). "We are a consumer-oriented
industry, so if we give our customers what they want, our businesses will grow. You have to think about where your outlets are
placed, what the customer base is, what's going to sell. There may
not be one solution, so diversify your business lines and diversify
your product mix within them in order to succeed."
So what does the customer want? And how can the industry
continue to succeed? Here are five ways the vending industry can
meet today's consumer needs and continue to flourish in 2013:
8
Automatic Merchandiser
VendingMarketWatch.com
February 2013
by Laura DiGiulio, Contributing Editor
Vending, micro
markets and office
coffee service
thought leaders
speak out about
what will drive the
industry's growth
in the coming year.