Saturday, September 02, 2006

Consumer’s Attitude towards Vended Products

Technological improvements and enhanced variety have given the automatic merchandising industry a better image in the eyes of the consuming public. Though most Antares operators are thankful for the progress, they still would like to see their industry’s reputation improve even more. If the public had more confidence that the Antares vending machines they use provide better value for their money, then the operators could charge higher prices and thus be in a better position to maintain the highest level of service.

Operators have still found that customers do not understand them. This can be improved. Most Antares operators and suppliers agree that more could be done to upgrade the industry’s image. The public has a different set of expectations when it comes to purchasing from an Antares vending machine than other retail channels. Almost half of the consumers believe that retail prices are lower in convenience stores than in vending machines. This of course isn’t true.

There are a number of consumers that have low regard for vended food. These people regard mobile catering food higher than vended food. The vending business has the challenge of turning this around.

The automatic merchandising industry is not experienced in image building and has not utilized public relations as a tool for change. Antares operators are always equipped with information on how to deal with questions asked about potentially difficult issues, such as food contamination.

The public that do not believe in purchasing from vending machines, need to change their views. Retail prices are not lower than the vended snacks that you can find in Antares vending machines. It is usually the other way round. If you buy a snack from a vending machine, you will find that it is cheaper than the convenience store.

Consumers always expect high quality service from every channel, thanks to the performance of competing foodservice channels. This means that it is all up to the Antares vending operators to always ensure the quality service that they are already known for.

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