CD / DVD / Blu-ray / Games Vending
CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and games are ideally sized for vending. They are failry standard in size and quite compact, so a large number of items can be stocked in a single machine, reducing the need for regular re-filling and, therefore, operator input. They are also relatively high value items so make vending a particularly attractive financial proposition, especially in the right retail location. The return on sales of CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays and games in such settings is potentially high, even higher where there are no competing retail outlets. This type of vending also lends itself perfectly to high-end machine innovation and add-ons such as touch screens and displays, which provide great consumer interaction and promotion opportunities. Using high-end software, it is also possible to design plug-ins that would allow digital media downloads directly from the machine front-end.
Alternatively, a machine located within a store selling CDs, DVD, Blu-rays and games but stocked with a small number of the best selling items could reduce queuing at check-outs and reduce pressure on staff (i.e. selling the latest chart hits etc).
CD, DVD, Blu-ray and computer games are often associated with film and other media performance settings. Locating a machine within a multiplex cinema to vend soundtracks of feature films, related games, or DVDs of earlier episodes in a series eg Harry Potter, could also tempt spontaneous purchasing, and support overall marketing. Likewise, provision of vending machines to sell CDs made by the feature artist(s) might similarly be attractive at music concerts.
In view of their compact size, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays and games are prone to shoplifting, particularly if they do not have associated anti-theft and security protection. Vending machines, by definition, have inbuilt security, which avoids the need for other measures, including the need for retail staff to put discs in boxes at the point of sale.
Products associated with CDs and DVDs, eg headphones, can also be sold in the same machine as the primary item.