Cashless as another option
All Star Services didn't just invest in
operations, but also in ways that ben-
efted the consumer. After Duncan
and his siblings joined the business,
they made it known that consumers
have multiple methods of payment
and that the company needed to
begin looking at all of the possible
ways they could appeal to that con-
sumer. One solution was to offer
cashless. "The younger generation
doesn't carry cash and we needed
to offer all methods of payment that
cater to them," said Duncan.
The company has seen as much as
30 percent sales increase in locations
just by adding card readers. "On aver-
age we have had 12 to 15 percent sales
increase after installing cashless,"
said Duncan. About 50 percent of the
company's machines are cashless, but
its goal is to have 100 percent cashless
within the next few years.
Micro markets boost sales
The ability to offer a wider selection of
products to consumers drew All Star
Services into micro markets in 2011.
"The vending business was stagnant,"
said Duncan. "Micro markets give us
the opportunity to sell more SKUs,
more goods and really become more
retail oriented." Micro markets have
drastically increased sales, twenty to
twenty fve percent, in locations that
were previously traditional vending.
Fresh food sales have grown from
8 or 9 percent of total sales to over
double that. Duncan credits the com-
pany's integration of technology and
promotions with the success of its
micro markets.
The future
Although there are many uncertain-
ties in the vending industry, the Smiths
are optimistic about the future of All
Star Services. "The industry veterans
within the company are a bit more
conservative, while us younger folks
are more willing to take risks," said
Duncan. "We make a good balance."
As one of those risks, technology has
helped All Star Services increase its
profts, cut down on costs and look
forward to the next innovation.
Profle All Star Services
Founded: 1963
Owners: Jeff and Suzanne Smith
Headquarters:
Port Huron, Mich.
Number of employees: 59
Number of routes:
16 vending, 3 OCS
Number of micro market
locations: 15
Software provider: Cantaloupe
S U C C E S S S T O R Y
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