added vending management sys-
tems, remote machine monitoring
and micro markets. They are using
the data to fnd the best balance
between service and product variety
per location. Operators are analyz-
ing sales data and determining best
sellers and eliminating slow sellers
as well as the sales data for new
products. They are using reports
to fnd the best new products to
replace items that have increased
in price so much consumers no
longer buy them. These processes,
which help vendors adjust to the
changing tastes of the consumer
and fuctuating commodity costs,
are only possible with the addition
of technology.
Micro markets remain the shin-
ing star for operators as we look to
2014. Many stated micro markets
were to be their growth focus in the
coming year. Some are even consider-
ing getting out of vending completely
to focus solely on micro markets. It's
an area expected to grow exponen-
tially in the next few years.
Operators have yet to fnd ways
to attract consumers to the vending
machine and change the consumers'
perception. Many opportunities for
this are being tested, such as social
media, mobile payment/coupons
and digital signage including video
screens that increase consumer
engagement. Until the vending
industry can truly get consumers to
think of the machine as a destina-
tion, vendors will continue to face
resistance to charging higher prod-
uct prices. This is on the horizon
for the next decade of vending, but
until then, technology is allowing
operators to regain proftability and
adjust to the ever changing end user.
We are over the hurdle and well on
our way to a future in the black.
CHART 16C: VEND FOOD PRICES, 4-YEAR REVIEW
Type 2010 2011 2012 2013
Freshly-prepared
$2.35 $2.40 $2.40 $1.87
Frozen-prepared 2.27 2.30 2.35 2.09
Shelf stable 1.95 2.00 2.00 1.75
V E N D I N G S P E C I A L R E P O R T
Michael C. Patterson
NCE5, CCS
425 Huehl Road, Bldg. #17
Northbrook, IL 60062-2322
847.714.1200 x17
847.778.5374 Cell
Fax 847.714.1275
MichaelPatterson@PattersonCo.com
M A N U F A C T U R E R S R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S
Distributors of Quality Vending Machines
2719 Westport Road • Charlotte, NC 28208
www.choiceequipment.com
email: choicequip@aol.com
800-558-8363 x24
704-394-4104 x24
704-394-6697 Fax
Bob Loparco
President
CHOICE EQUIPMENT SALES, INC.
Proudly Serving the Vending Industry Since 1981
VENDTRONICS, INC.
Memphis, Tn
(901)365-5400
service@vendtronicsinc.comcastbiz.net
RELIABLE VENDING
SERVICE & REPAIR
June 2014 VendingMarketWatch.com Automatic Merchandiser 39
MAIL AD COPY TO: Automatic Merchandiser,
Attn: Ted Banach, P.O. Box 803, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0803
Inquiries to Ted Banach: Toll Free: 800-547-7377 x1314 • E-mail: Ted.Banach@cygnus.com
Marketplace
Add gourmet yogurt mufns & loaves,
cupcakes, cookies,
crumb cakes and sell to
new locations that your routes pass by, or
add to your vending or micro-markets!
BECOME A DISTRIBUTOR!
Call Mike for pricing, distribution, free
samples, and more information.
1-800-688-0523
www.KenozaBakery.com • sales@KenozaBakery.com
50+ YE ARS OF WRITING THE ORDER
Est. 1962
SALES & MARKETING
Vending, OCS, Mobile Catering, Micro Markets,
Schools, Alternative
Richard Atnip
dickatnip@atnipco.com
Fullerton, CA | AtnipCo.com
(800) 660-2864
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho,
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
El Paso, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
p