The vending machine business is a worthy investment to take as it offers convenience to customers. If there is no convenience store nearby, people turn to vending machines for the things they need to buy, such as food, beverages, toiletries, and more. According to some studies, the average gross earnings of a vending machine is AUD 715 per month.
However, the items you sell in your vending machine are a prime factor in determining if they will sell well or not. Some items may not be attractive to customers or may not be well-known yet.
If you own a vending machine or if you plan on owning one, it is important to note what you need to stock and sell. For drink vending machines, these items may be the best option according to research and statistics.
What’s Up With Drink Vending Machines For Sale?
If you have not bought a vending machine yet and are planning to buy one, then a drink vending machine is a good type to start with. According to studies, drinks are the most profitable category for vending machine offerings. Drinks make up 31.2% of all vending machine purchase every year. It is a profitable investment to have, especially in areas where drinks like water are not easy to find.
There are many drink vending machines for sale if you search for them, especially on the internet. Drink vending machines are also simple to manage. With the right brand and model of drink vending machine, you can easily fix and replace parts of it in case something goes wrong.
Water Bottles
Water is an essential drink to stay hydrated and energised. While it is a basic item to offer and is seemingly easy to find, water is actually a good choice as many people would often either leave their water bottles at home, don’t have water bottles in the first place, or need to be hydrated on the spot. After all, Australia is a hot country to live in, and cold, refreshing water is appreciated anywhere.
However, if there is already an option for water near your drink vending machine, such as water service, a water bottle might not be the best option. Water bottles come in many different brands, such as Evian, Dasani, and Aquafina. You can try experimenting and swapping the brand of your water bottle and see which sells well.
Energy Drinks
An energy drink is a common beverage and sells well in a workplace and universities, especially for people who have stayed up all night to finish their project or schoolwork. When people are tired or sleepy, they usually head for energy drinks to keep them awake. Thus, energy drinks are beverages that you commonly see stocked in the shelves of drink vending machines.
In Australia, Red Bull has and still is leading with the highest value share of energy drinks. In 2019, Red Bull was the best-selling energy drink in the country, so it might be a great option to fill in your drink vending machine with Red Bull.
There are other brands that you can rely on as well, such as V and Monster. Also, recently, consumers have been conscious of their health, and so it might be a wise decision to consider sugar-free energy drinks.
Cold Coffee
Another popular caffeine beverage that people tend to look for in a drink vending machine is coffee. If there is no coffee machine nearby, or if hot coffee is not available in the workplace, cold coffee is a good choice to stock.
Coffee is said to have health benefits with the proper amount, and so it is a popular drink that people would buy. In the early mornings, many people would drink coffee to start their day, but in case they haven’t as they are running late, then a cold coffee from a drink vending machine is a great alternative.
There are many brands to choose from, such as Nescafe and Farmers Union. It is important to understand your consumers’ taste in coffee to choose the right brand. Try swapping and experimenting with the brands and get the top-selling ones in.
Carbonated Drinks/Soda
Some studies reveal that soft drinks are one of the most valuable items in the business of non-alcoholic beverages. In a 2014 survey, 30.7% of Victorian adults consume sugar-sweetened soda, and in a 2017 research, 57.8% of Australian children consume carbonated drinks at least once a week.
This data shows that soda is a rising selling drink and a must-have when owning a drink vending machine. With so many options and choices, consider carbonated drinks.
In the soda industry, the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo are the biggest names. The Coca-Cola Company owns many brands, like Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite. PepsiCo also owns many brands, such as 7Up and Mountain Dew. You can try to diversify in your options when it comes to soda as different people have different tastes.
Gatorade
Gatorade is yet another popular drink for those considering the business of drink vending machines for sale. It is a sports drink and great electrolyte-replenisher. You would soon find out that many people would seek for Gatorade drinks due to its popularity.
This drink is usually consumed by people who need to do a lot of literal heavy work, such as construction workers. This drink is also consumed by people who work out in the gym to replenish their thirst and stamina.
Gatorade comes in many different flavors to pick from, such as Orange, Fruit Punch, and more. Unlike sodas, Gatorade is a drink that may not do well when diversified, so it is better to experiment on what flavor your consumers like.
Other Drinks Worth Noting
There are other drinks as well that can be stocked in your drink vending machine, such as:
- Lemonade
- Vitamin Water
- Diet Soda
- Iced Tea
- Seltzer
You can opt for these choices to diversify your machine since these drinks also sell well.
Overall, it is important to know who your consumers are. For example, if your consumers mostly drink healthy drinks, you should supply your machine with sugar-free and healthy options.