How to decide between a Micro Market or a vending machine for your business.

Vending has always been a fantastic solution for businesses that want to offer refreshments to their staff quickly and conveniently. Express Refreshments launched the UK’s first Micro Market back in 2013 and this has provided a new level for those that want to offer even more.

These two on-site refreshment solutions actually share a lot of similarities but are widely different in other areas. If you want to offer a valuable employee perk to your team through workplace refreshments, should you choose a Micro Market or traditional vending?

We take a look at the things to consider.

A Micro Market works best for larger sites.

Whilst traditional vending has been a popular choice for decades now, the Express Refreshments Micro Market delivered a compelling alternative on launch because it was better suited to larger sites with more staff.

A Micro Market functions like a corner shop or convenience store, which means it has the scope to offer a wider range of products on shelving or in fridges.

An average vending machine can hold around 40 products, whereas a Micro Market can stock up to 400. This means the Micro Market can rediscover the convenience factor again, as there are shorter queues and less wait times.

They are also great for businesses in remote locations.

Employee perks are today a big aspect of company culture. They are especially important if your site is in a remote location, to the point where it becomes a hassle for staff to head off site during break or lunch.

The Micro Market represents an employee benefit that is truly meaningful for staff. When you have such a huge range of refreshments, from healthy fresh food to fresh bean coffee, there is little desire to travel miles to the nearest town or supermarket. Pair it with comfy seating, hydration stations, TV’s and more, and you have a stunning breakout area that gives staff everything they need.

This is a great way to improve employee wellness.

The limited storage capacity of a vending machine means it won’t provide such a glamorous solution to employees, nor one that can offer as much choice.

…Vending machines fight back with speed.

Micro Markets build on the convenience of vending and simply expand the product menu, but they still can’t quite match the speed and convenience of a vending machine depending on your industry.

For example, vending machines work great in manufacturing sites because employees in that industry haven’t the time to stop and browse refreshments at their leisure. They simply require a quick coffee or bite to eat before getting back to work. The same could be said for customers browsing a car showroom or heading to the gym in fitness centres.

Vending machines have developed through technology and innovation, but the traditional convenience remains. The majority of equipment can dispense what you need in as little as 30 seconds.

A Micro Market is based on the latest trends.

We mentioned in the introduction that a vending machine and a Micro Market share a lot of similarities, most of which are apparent through technology.

This is true: both refreshment solutions can cater to lifestyle and dietary choices, both offer the capability for bulk buying products, and both offer cashless payment facilities. It’s just that the Micro Market’s natural characteristics mean it can deliver the latest trends that bit easier.

A larger footprint means product choice is a bit more varied. More products are one thing, but when those products include salad bowls, fruit pots, yoghurts, and even ready meals, you can really see the flexibility that the market can offer here. Healthier eating is certainly made a lot easier.

Going back to the similarities, though, and both facilities can form part of our operated service. Telemetry means we can see stock levels and buying trends in real time, allowing us to tailor replenishment without you chasing us.

Micro Markets transform your available space.

A Micro Market is an unrivalled solution for businesses that want to offer a cutting-edge employee perk in the form of self-service refreshments.

Over the years we have transformed wasted space to deliver a stunning break out area for businesses, with the Micro Market at the heart. We design, create, and maintain it for you, so it is totally bespoke with optional branding included. The Micro Market is your refreshment solution in every sense of the word, whether you want it to fit in a corner or take up a whole room.

It is a great way to enhance company culture and improve employee wellness.

…Whereas vending machines can be placed almost anywhere.

Vending machines are a common sight in staff rooms and breakout areas because who wouldn’t want fresh bean coffee, fresh leaf tea and tasty snacks available during their break time?

However, the relatively slender footprint of a vending machine means it can be placed in alternative environments throughout the workplace. For example, you might want to position one in your reception area to welcome clients and visitors. Alternatively, you could install one in a manufacturing warehouse or in an office corridor to make refreshments more accessible to staff in other parts of the building.

It’s completely up to you, and a vending machine makes your preference easier to bring to life.

Would a Micro Market or vending machine work best for you?

The Micro Market builds on the success of self-service vending to provide a grander solution for those businesses that require it, but it may not necessarily be the best facility for you.

If you operate a fast paced environment, then the speed and flexibility of a vending machine would probably be your best bet. But for large offices and workspaces in remote locations, the Micro Market takes convenience to the next level with your very own convenience shop available around the clock.

Still not sure what would work best? Talk to our team to find the best solution.