Vending Machines Blog

Winds of Change

The world we live in today is ever changing. Nothing stagnates and there are always upgrades for yesterday’s products coming out. The minute a product is launched it becomes outdated because we start working on a newer, better one to replace it with.

The same goes for lifestyles and trends. Nothing ever stays the same, not even for a whole season. There are new ideas for your lifestyle coming out every single day and new research is delivering new results each day. So where does all this change leave you as a vending machine owner?

Time to adapt

There has been research and surveys into the working lives and habits of people across the UK and there is a shocking rise in the amount of people that work from home or are on the move. That is not shocking for the rest of the world, but that increase is shocking for vending machine owners and operators.

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Posted in: Product Help & Advice, Vending Help & Advice, Vending Machine News, Vending Service
Tags: Intelligent Vending, vending, Vending Company, vending machine, Vending Machine Supplier, vending machines

High-Traffic Public Site Vending: ‘Destination Leisure’

Vending machines thrive in public site locations. These highly populated areas are ideally suited for “free on-loan” high-royalty vending machine deals; typically catering for soft drinks, snacks and coffee-shop quality hot drinks machines (please note: we are unable to offer royalty-based deals for any other types of vending machine other than those previously mentioned).

Locations such as theme parks, safari parks and zoos, stadiums and arenas, airports and docks, transport interchanges and stations (train, bus, coach, etc.) and shopping centres and retail chains/parks often experience great success with vending machines due to the large number of people who visit and pass through them on a daily basis.

We take pride at Intelligent Vending Ltd in the products and services we provide. Our public site vending package is perfect for high footfall public areas which have the potential to generate significant product unit sales. The reliable vending machines supplied are stocked with market leading branded products. These are regularly reviewed based on current market trends and updated as appropriate to help ensure the highest possible sales are achieved for our clients (increased sales = increased royalties).

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Posted in: Public Vending, Vending Help & Advice, Vending Service
Tags: Intelligent Vending, public site vending, vending advice, vending machine information, vending machines

Water Coolers

Nothing beats a nice cold drink of water for quenching thirst and keeping hydrated. In the workplace, water coolers can be the perfect platform for refreshing staff and visitors: they are quick, easy and cost effective and are welcomed by everyone. Water coolers from Intelligent Vending Ltd are either available to purchase outright, or can typically be rented over a 3 year agreement (other terms available on request). Our water cooler rental agreements are inclusive of installation, support and twice yearly sanitisation.

Water coolers come in two main types: bottled and POU (Point of Use). Bottled water coolers use replaceable containers to provide the water, whereas POU water coolers are plumbed directly in to the mains water supply. Obviously, it is important to decide which type is most suitable for your needs at the outset.

For a variety of reasons, we recommend POU water coolers are used whenever possible. The difference in the quality of the water itself is perhaps the most important factor. It is not uncommon for bottled water to sit for a large portion of its shelf life in a warehouse somewhere before being delivered to and used by the consumer; in comparison, filtered regular tap water can provide a significantly nicer drink. Interestingly, there are actually more standards in place for regulating tap water in Europe and the US than there are for regulating bottled water.

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Posted in: Intelligent Vending Ltd, Vending Help & Advice, Vending Service, Watercoolers
Tags: bottled water coolers, drink vending, pou water coolers, water coolers, water dispensers

Change Machines

Anywhere bank notes are not accepted or specific denominations of coins are required – such as near parking meters or in games arcades – change machines are the solution.

Change machines come in 3 main variations:

* note to coin (note in -> coin(s) out)
* coin to coin (coin in -> coin(s) out)
* note and coin to coin (note and coin in -> coin(s) out)

When considering the purchase of change machines, deciding on the machine variation and the required coin denomination configuration should be the first step (for example: changing banknotes to just £1 coins and/or 20 pence pieces, etc.). We can provide change machines which dispense up to 3 different denominations of coin.

Intelligent Vending Ltd supply a variety of change machines suitable for a wide range of locations. Whether you are looking for coin to coin or note to coin dispensing, wall mounted or floor standing, we aim to provide a secure solution that you can rely on.

Change machines are probably most commonly seen in arcades and casinos, but they are used in many other locations such as airports, train & bus stations, libraries, colleges & universities, bars & restaurants, staff canteens or just near other vending machines for the consumers’ convenience.

Change machines are not just limited to changing money from one denomination to another; we also offer token change machines for self-service businesses. Laundrettes are a good example of a useful application for token vending machines.

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Posted in: Vending Help & Advice, Vending Service
Tags: change machines, coin machines, Intelligent Vending, vending advice, vending machine information

Are You Vending Condoms with Integrity?

Condom vending is a common activity in businesses, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs.  It is suitable for any establishment with toilets or washrooms which experience frequent usage by staff or visitors.

Selling condoms from vending machines can be a very profitable business: costs are low, margins are high and if the machine is installed in the right location, demand remains consistent.

As the business of condoms (prophylactics) can be a sensitive (!) and a sometimes controversial subject, it is important to apply careful thought and consideration to all the related choices and decisions involved, ensuring full compliance with government rules and regulations so as to avoid any potential negative consequences.

There are various ways to tell the authenticity and provenance of products such as condoms, which is vital to do if you are considering selling them. Supplying defective or substandard condoms could have potentially devastating, even life threatening consequences for your consumers and could seriously affect your company’s image and reputation.

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Posted in: Product Help & Advice, Vending Help & Advice, Vending Service
Tags: condom regulations, condom safety, condom vending machines, condoms, washroom vending

Stationery Vending Machines

Vending stationery equipment isn’t something new for us here at Intelligent Vending Ltd: back in 2005 we had a stationery vending machine proudly on display at the AVEX International Vending Machine Exhibition at Earls Court in London. The vending machine was a great success – even back then at the early stages of the project. Since then there have been numerous developments with our machines which allow us now to offer very cost-effective solutions.

Interest in stationery vending machines seems to be rapidly growing. This is an exciting prospect for us as we are able to provide outstanding stationery equipment vending solutions for clients.

Of course, stationery vending machines do not need to be limited to vending stationery equipment alone; office equipment and IT consumables (PC supplies such as USB Keys, headphones/headsets , printer cartridges, etc.) and other similarly packaged items are also ideally suited for these machines. Our machines have a delivery system designed for dealing with fragile products. This helps protect items during vending and allows peace of mind when vending delicate and higher value goods.

When we refer to stationery vending, we do not mean just pens, pencils, sharpeners and erasers. Pretty much everything you could want to dispense is an option with these vending machines. Staplers, hole-punchers, calculators, batteries, A4 pads, notepads/jotters, art sets (paints, brushes, etc.) and sketching and drawing sets are just few of the items which can be vended with no problems whatsoever.

Stationery vending machines are great additions for schools, colleges, universities, offices or anywhere else where such equipment is frequently used and is an essential requirement.

Posted in: Customised Vending, Intelligent Vending Ltd, Vending Machine News, Vending Service
Tags: customised vending machines, stationery vending machines, vending machines

Vending Machine Vinyl Branding

A strong brand is a highly desirable asset for any company. A good brand increases market awareness and provides a steady platform on which to develop the reputation of your business. Whether it be a letter, business card, van, building or vending machine: incorporating your unique style and company branding instils consumer confidence and trust in your business while doing wonders for creating a professional image to reflect your service.

The concepts behind a successful vending machine campaign are very similar to those of a typical shop. Customers will only be aware of your existence and be motivated to purchase your products after first being attracted to your sales outlet. Appropriate, appealing advertising and a strategically planned location are essential criteria required for achieving these goals.

While choice of location can often be limited by obstacles which are somewhat out of our control, the approach you take to promoting, marketing and advertising is only limited by your imagination (well, mostly.).

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Posted in: Intelligent Vending Ltd, Vending Help & Advice, Vending Service
Tags: customised vending machines, vending advice, vending machine branding, vending machine vinyls

Condom Vending Machines

We have just added a new page to our website: condom vending machines. Although we already have a page detailing our washroom vending machine service, we thought it might be helpful to add a stand-alone page dedicated to condom vending and condom vending machines to try and further assist our readers with more specific details including information regarding our most popular ‘off the shelf’ models.

On this page we have provided a basic overview of information relating to condom machines and the part they play in our business. We have explained about a couple of important aspects involved that should be considered by any prospective customer, and have also compiled a brief list of our most popular condom vending machines. Hopefully this will make things easier for those trying to decide on the best condom machine for their situation.  We also continue to supply more bespoke wall mounted vending machine solutions.  So, if a different model or new design condom vending machine is required, please don’t hesitate to call us and ask. We are always happy to help and advise.

Condom vending machines can often be a great source of income, especially thanks to product popularity and the potential for high profit margins. If you are considering a washroom vending machine purchase, we thoroughly recommend you take a look.

Related Links:

Condom Vending Machines

Washroom Vending Machines

Washroom Products

Posted in: Intelligent Vending Ltd, Vending Help & Advice, Vending Service
Tags: condom vending machines, vending machine information, vending machines, washroom machines, washroom vending

Perfect for a Quick Caffeine Fix

Seeing a vending machine in the office is not an unusual sight today. People love stopping off at a vending machine for a quick snack, or any of the other things that can be found in a vending machine these days. The answer is unanimous though about what vending machine people find the most popular.

Everyone loves the coffee vending machines. Speciality shops throw a spanner in the works though – they offer speciality coffee that attracts many customers. But….vending machine manufacturers are quick on the uptake. That is why today you get many coffee vending machines that offer speciality coffee of the highest quality and, most impressively, rivalling what the coffee shop can deliver.

Coffee at its best

Coffee vending machines are good business. Businesses are always keen to allow a coffee vending machine onto the premises as they know employees dash off for coffee. People want their regular caffeine fix during the day. It is good for morale if staff don’t have to run out in all types of weather for their needed cuppa, and it saves time to have coffee ‘on tap’.

A coffee vending machine is popular for small business premises as well. Owners of shops know that people will come inside to get a good cup of coffee. This means they are more amenable to spending money in the shop at the same time. Coffee vending machines that stock good quality coffee are popular not only on business premises, but also school staff rooms. Sometimes it seems as if the world runs on coffee and coffee vending machines can be a lucrative business.

If you build up a reputation for quality and reliance you can soon have a good business running. If you show clients that you are a responsible entrepreneur, they may ask for more. How far you go in the vending machine business is up to you.

Posted in: Vending Service
Tags: coffee machines, hot drinks vending machines, vending machine information, vending machines

Converting a Vending Machine into a Money Maker

Many people rely on vending machines for a quick snack, a drink, and so much more, so these gentle giants loom very much welcomed in business lobbies, foyers and halls.

Vending machines can cater to almost any need out there and that is what makes them so special. Gone are the days of these mechanical vending giants being restricted to crisps, chocolates and fizzy drinks.

You can now get health foods, stationery, PPE (personal protective equipment), umbrellas, shoes, perfume, Bentley sports cars (that’s absolutely true!), DVDs & CDs, novelty condoms and sex toys, flavoured water, hot drinks  to rival the coffee shop and so much more from these machines. Their versatility has helped the vending business develop into an empire. It is not rocket science nowadays to turn a vending machine into a cash cow.

An investment that pays for itself one-hundred-fold

It is difficult to sustain a natural drive to go the extra distance unless there is a reasonably good reward waiting at the finish line. People also have so much to fit into their daily schedules that the less time they have to spend running around to find snacks the more they can get done. This is where your vending machine profitability comes into play.

Especially if you have a larger workforce, a vending machine is a blessing. Stocking your vending machine with a variety of the popular snacks, drinks and other consumables that are popular among your employees will make a cash cow out of it.

The less effort people have to put into getting what they want the less they mind paying a few pence more for the convenience.

Posted in: Vending Service
Tags: customised vending, vending advice, vending machines