A vending machine is a part-time or even a full-time profitable business, which involves selling food and other essential items. This article will enlighten your knowledge on a vending machine business plan and give you some useful tips.
Owning a vending machine business will make you a part of the ever-growing billion dollar retail industry, which has proved to be a boon for both – people associated with the industry as well as the customers. You can earn fairly well even if you are not physically present at your business premises.
The success of this business depends on the quality of service you provide your customers. Given below are some business plans, which will be useful to achieve your business targets and answer all your queries.
Objectives
- Setting realistic targets for your enterprise
- Planning well in advance for its future
- Inventing new business strategies
- Understanding the purpose and future growth prospects of the business
- Arranging for initial business capital
Plan for a Vending Machine Business
Buying The Vending Machine
You have two choices – either buy a business that is doing very well and is making good profit, or buy a new vending machine. From a business perspective, buying a good business in a good area is a better idea, because you get a well-established customer base. If you buy a new one, it takes time to win over the customers.
Once you buy an established business, your only job is to provide good service to retain existing customers and attract new customers. You also have the option of buying old or already used vending machines at lower costs as compared to the new machines. Take the suggestion of a technician regarding whether to buy the machine or not.
Arranging Capital
Arranging for enough initial capital for a business is one of the biggest challenges you might have to face. Before approaching any bank or financial institution for a cash credit facility, you need to estimate the costs for starting a vending machine business.
Business financing from banks will not be difficult if your planning is perfect, and you are aware of all the legal formalities. The capital will be used to buy the machine and other parts associated with it and buying the products to be sold, employing a person to look after the maintenance (if necessary).
Choosing A Good Location
Choosing the right location is the most important factor of this business plan, as the location plays an important role in the success of this business.
Crowded and frequently-visited places by people, such as airports, shopping malls, departmental stores, restaurants, busy streets, are the ideal places for starting a vending machine business. The location of your business should be easily accessible for people and should most probably be in the heart of the city. Do not be afraid of competition even though your business rivals may scare you in the initial stages.
Deciding the Product to Sell
Vending machines sell a range of products, such as soft drinks, gumball, candy, soda, cigarette, ice creams, etc. Decide the product based on a detail market survey and understanding which product will give you a larger business margin.
Choose products with a long expiry date, as this will add to your profits. There is a connection between the product to be sold and the location of the machines, for example, a cigarette vending machine will do well in places flocked by adults, while ice-cream vending machines will do well in places frequented by students.
Marketing Strategy
Your marketing strategy will change as your business grows. After studying the market and your growth over the years, you can adopt an aggressive business marketing strategy to increase your turnover. Try to pay-off all the debts taken to start the business, and decide the expansion policies such as making acquisitions, starting the same business in some other city, etc.
Importance of Maintenance and Insurance
It is very important to take good care of the machine, by ensuring that all the parts are functioning well. If you come across any problem, do not neglect it and immediately contact a mechanic or service engineer.
Rough handling and lack of maintenance can cause the machine to stop functioning, thus causing you a financial loss. Seeking business insurance is essential to protect your business from suffering a financial from the damages and accidents (if they occur)
The above suggestions are given from a neutral perspective. Proper implementation is essential to observe a robust growth in your business.