Convenience Remains Key in Vending

Vending machines are playing a bigger role in today’s rushed lifestyles. This has provided an opportunity to meet consumer’s needs. The vending industry needs to put emphasis on this benefit. As an Antares vending operator you are in a perfect position to meet consumer needs.

In the meantime, manufacturers are waiting for the Food and Drug Administration requirements for labeling products as “low carb.” This would change packaging labels to reflect the new regulations.

Price, will always be a issue with Antares vending operators as well as other operators. Typically, consumers are more price conscious about vending than other retail outlets.

Operators need to be aware that dieters will pay a higher price point for the low carb products. Consumers will purchase these products from your Antares vending machines. Price point should not be a deterrent for you as the operator, because people will buy these products for their health, not for how much they cost. When understanding a customer’s needs, price should not be an issue in your Antares business. You only need to consider the opportunity at hand.

The number of consumers who will actually put the money in the Antares vending machine to purchase a low carb item will determine its long term availability.

The meaning of words ‘low carb’ on a label is highly inconsistent. The FDA has not yet defined low carb for the consumer. A product may be labeled low carb because it has lower carb content than a traditional product, but may still contain too many carbs for Atkins dieters.

Diets will always come and go, but it has been observed that low carb has set a new bench mark among the health conscious consumers. Interest continues to grow as more Americans become more health and nutrition conscious. Antares operators as well as other operators are divided on how long the demand will last, but most are realizing that it cannot be ignored.

There are options in vending machines that have always been low carb, like nuts. Operators need to take advantage of this, and then wait to see an increase in sales, partially due to the low carb issue.