Where to put a vending machine: 7 placement tips that increase sales
The same machine can take ten times more in the right spot. Here's how to choose where it goes.
Placement is the single biggest factor in how much a vending machine earns, and it costs nothing to get right. These are the rules we follow when we survey a venue.
1. Put it where everyone walks past
Entrances, exits, lift lobbies and the route to the toilets. If people have to go looking for the machine, most won't.
2. Think about the moment of need
In a gym that's the exit after a workout. In an office it's the kitchen mid-afternoon. In a hotel it's the lobby late at night. Put the machine where the craving happens.
3. Make it visible from a distance
A lit machine with a bold wrap gets noticed from across a room. Avoid dark corners and spots hidden behind doors.
4. Give people room
Leave space to stand, browse and collect without blocking a walkway. Around a metre in front of the machine is ideal.
5. Check the practical bits
You'll need a standard 13A socket nearby and a reasonable mobile signal (or WiFi) for cashless payments and remote monitoring. We check all of this on our survey.
6. Match the range to the location
A machine near a gym floor should stock different products from one in a staff canteen. Placement and product mix work together.
7. Review the data
Connected machines show you what sells and when. After a month, use that data to fine-tune the range and prices.
Want us to find the best spot in your venue? Book a free venue check and we'll recommend a placement as part of your plan.