Supermarkets should develop a strategy on vending as the big brands embrace the technology, vending software specialist Vianet has warned.
Vianet CEO Ian Orrock said big grocery retailers were falling “behind the game” on vending as caterers push ahead, with only Sainsbury currently running trials.
Sainsbury is testing a minibus-sized vending machine in the foyer of its Hazel Grove store in Manchester, with no plans to roll the machines out. The 24-hour multi-temperature vending machine targets customers who
run out of essentials when the store is closed.
Meanwhile, Tesco has abandoned vending trials at nine stores due to supply chain issues, said a spokeswoman.
It had suites of vending machines in the stores selling hot and cold food in a 16-week pilot that ended last month.
But big brand owners such as Cadbury and Coca-Cola and caterers could leave retailers behind as they developed their vending capabilities, said Orrock.
They draw premium margins on sales through vending machines - selling at a mark-up, as price was secondary to convenience in this channel, he said.
Vianet provides support software for vending machines, which allows the machine owner to track purchases.
There are around seven million vending machines in Europe, around 13 per 1,000 population, compared to 34 per 1,000 head in Japan.
Vianet CEO Ian Orrock said big grocery retailers were falling “behind the game” on vending as caterers push ahead, with only Sainsbury currently running trials.
Sainsbury is testing a minibus-sized vending machine in the foyer of its Hazel Grove store in Manchester, with no plans to roll the machines out. The 24-hour multi-temperature vending machine targets customers who
run out of essentials when the store is closed.
Meanwhile, Tesco has abandoned vending trials at nine stores due to supply chain issues, said a spokeswoman.
It had suites of vending machines in the stores selling hot and cold food in a 16-week pilot that ended last month.
But big brand owners such as Cadbury and Coca-Cola and caterers could leave retailers behind as they developed their vending capabilities, said Orrock.
They draw premium margins on sales through vending machines - selling at a mark-up, as price was secondary to convenience in this channel, he said.
Vianet provides support software for vending machines, which allows the machine owner to track purchases.
There are around seven million vending machines in Europe, around 13 per 1,000 population, compared to 34 per 1,000 head in Japan.
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