Apply now

How Can You Expand Your Vending Business and Boost Sales with Smart Stores?

Smart Stores can transform your vending business by offering more products and a smooth customer experience. Discover how these advanced machines can boost your sales and expand your business into new locations.

4 minute read

You already have great locations, loyal customers, and experience in running a business. Did you know that you can upgrade those same locations with new vending solutions to grow your revenue?

Smart Stores make it easy to switch from traditional vending machines to a more advanced setup. Since they can fit in the same spaces as vending machines, replacing old machines with Smart Stores is simple and offers big benefits:

  • Expanding Product Options
    Smart Stores let you sell more than just snacks and drinks. They can offer fresh food, personal care products, and electronics. This helps attract more customers and increase sales.
  • Managing Inventory in Real Time
    You can check inventory, sales, and device status from anywhere. This helps restock items faster, reduce waste, and keep business running smoothly.
Two young female students chat while picking items from a Smart Store.
  • Advanced Security and Theft Prevention
    Smart Stores come with built-in security features that help protect inventory and improve accountability. Weighted shelves, cameras, and secure payment systems ensure that every transaction is tracked.
  • A Better Customer Experience
    Customers enjoy the convenience of contactless payments, mobile wallets, and campus cards. These options make it easy to shop, leading to more repeat customers.

There’s no doubt that Smart Stores offer a step up in technology from traditional vending machines. But that’s no reason to ditch them, in fact, you have an opportunity to use your vending machines as a foot in the door. Use it to expand your operation to a new location, find out what works there, then upgrade again! It’s a smart way to keep your business growing.

Success Stories: Expanding into New Markets

Smart Stores don’t just improve existing locations — they open doors to new business opportunities. Many operators have already found success in new markets by using this technology.

  • Modern Vend – Modern Vend used Smart Stores to enhance access to necessities for residents in a senior living facility. By providing a secure and convenient way to purchase daily essentials, they improved the quality of life for residents while increasing sales.
  • Canteen of Northern California – Canteen introduced a Smart Store on a college campus, allowing students to access food and beverages 24/7. With secure, unattended retail technology, the Smart Store became a reliable resource for students looking for quick and easy purchases.
  • Barrett Vending – Barrett Vending upgraded vending locations with Smart Stores at a car dealership, eliminating theft while providing an improved shopping experience for both customers and employees.
Barrett Vending Smart Store in a car dealership.

Where Can Smart Stores Work?

Smart Stores help vending businesses grow beyond traditional locations. They work well in:

  • Senior Living Facilities – Providing residents with easy access to everyday essentials without needing to leave their community.
  • College Campuses – Offering students 24/7 food and beverage options with secure and seamless transactions, ensuring they have access to meals and snacks whenever needed.
  • Car Dealerships – Reducing theft while giving employees and customers a convenient way to grab snacks and drinks without disrupting their schedules.
  • Hospitals & Healthcare Centers – Ensuring medical staff and visitors have round-the-clock access to food, drinks, and other necessities without relying on traditional cafeterias.
  • Hotels & Hospitality – Giving guests an easy way to buy travel essentials, snacks, and personal care items at any hour of the day or night, improving guest satisfaction and convenience.
  • Fitness Centers & Recreation Facilities – Providing gym-goers with access to protein bars, sports drinks, towels, and other workout essentials right where they need them. Whether it’s pre-workout fuel, hydration, or recovery snacks, Smart Stores enhance the overall fitness experience and help facilities offer more amenities to their members.

The Future of Vending is Smart

Imagine a busy college student grabbing a protein bar between classes, a car dealership employee grabbing a quick snack without leaving the showroom, or a senior resident enjoying easy access to daily essentials. These aren’t just possibilities — they’re real-life examples of how Smart Stores are making life more convenient. As you continue to innovate, Smart Stores provide an opportunity to meet evolving customer needs while boosting business growth. The future of vending isn’t just about selling snacks. It’s about creating seamless, secure, and accessible shopping experiences wherever people need them most.

Fast Facts

  • Smart Stores enhance product offerings with fresh food, personal care items, and electronics.
  • Smart Stores offer contactless payments, like mobile wallets and campus cards, making transactions quick and easy.
  • Operators can use their traditional vending machines to understand the market and then upgrade to Smart Stores for sustained growth.