M I C R O M A R K E T S E Q U I P M E N T T R E N D S
Anything goes
One of the opportunities a micro
market presents is to offer prod-
ucts without size restrictions. This
is something diffcult to match in
a vending machine, but not impos-
sible. The Fastcorp machine uses a
robotic vacuum system to lift and dis-
pense products. This means the same
vending machine that dispenses ice
cream bars and frozen meals, can be
made to distribute anything. "With
our robotic and vacuum platform,
it is by far the most versatile auto-
matic retailer," said Brian Weinstein,
president and new owner of Fastcorp
Vending, LLC. The machine can dis-
pense delicate salads that should not
be shaken or glass jars of fruit that
need to be gently lowered, explains
Weinstein. "It can really expand
what the operator can sell as far as
healthy food, yet retain the benefts of
a vending machine," he said. Fastcorp
is also working on a new version of its
machine that includes a touchscreen
with a barcode reader that will allow
for cashless payment at the machine.
"There have been a number of orders
for that machine already based on the
prototype," said Weinstein.
While the addition of the robotic
and vacuum system make the
machine slightly more expensive
than a typical ambient machine,
because of the way the machine
stacks products, the capacity is
quite a bit higher than vending. It's
ideal for a location that needs high
capacity, without lots of variety.
"In addition, our parent company
is a metal fabricator. We can provide
something quite customized using
our platform," said Weinstein. "It's
all in-house manufacturing."
A bigger box
Sometimes what's needed isn't to
think outside the box, but to make the
box bigger. That is what Shop24 does.
It takes the idea of a vending machine,
but makes it bigger to incorporate
various goods. "We focus on the
college and university marketplace
as well as transportation hubs, and
carry up to 200 SKUs in a Shop24,"
said Matt McGovern, CEO of Shop24
Global LLC. The stores are outside,
in areas that are typically amenity
defcient, and focus on the needs of
the target consumer. For example,
near new student housing a Shop24
might include charging stations on the
sides of the store for phones, tablets,
laptops, etc. Inside the machine there
will be over-the-counter drugs, fast
food items, fresh sandwiches, milk,
full size-cereal boxes, toiletries, bever-
ages and larger size snacks. "We also
wrap the store in vinyl that will match
the surrounding architecture, or on
a campus we will wrap to match the
school's branding," said McGovern.
Shop24 currently owns and operates
its stores and monitors them remotely.
In the end, different locations
require different solutions. Be the
operator to properly assess a new
location or how a current location
could see benefts from a micro mar-
ket/vending machine hybrid.
Trends in action
See the latest trends in equipment
that meet multiple needs. From
locked coolers to market-vending hy-
brids, these technologies are chang-
ing the way products are delivered to
consumers. Videos of each system in
action are available online.
DISCOVER
™
The VEii DISCOVER will allow opera-
tors to add a product scanner and
touchscreen to a snack machine.
www.vendingmarketwatch.com/11419847
ShelfX
The ShelfX locked cooler concept
allows various types of products to be
sold and prevents losses.
www.vendingmarketwatch.com/10942011
Pantry Labs
Pantry Labs offers a secure cooler
unlocked using cashless payment
ideal for foodservice locations.
www.vendingmarketwatch.com/11585027
Fastcorp
Fastcorp's unique
delivery system al-
lows it to dispense
fragile products in
a variety of sizes.
www.vendingmarket-
watch.com/10108715
Shop24
The Shop24 machine is a large vend-
ing machine that dispenses different
size products to end users.
www.vendingmarketwatch.com/10612606
24 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com October 2014