Micromarket

MicroMarket with 365 Retail Markets self-checkout technology. A typical MicroMarket has traditional snacks and beverages, as well as fresh and frozen foods, gluten-free, and more.
MicroMarket with 365 Retail Markets' self-checkout technology. A typical MicroMarket has traditional snacks and beverages, as well as fresh and frozen foods, gluten-free, and more.

MicroMarkets are a rapidly growing retail sector, closely tied to the vending industry that utilizes automated self-checkout technology in order to operate in locations that need an unattended payment experience. They are a hybrid form of vending, foodservice, coffee service and convenience stores that provide an improved customer experience, exponentially increases product variety and increases sales within a single location while keeping labor costs down and increasing operational efficiencies. Since they exist in this realm, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)[1] “recognize[s] [MicroMarkets] as one of its focus channels along with vending, foodservice and refreshment services".[1]

MicroMarkets look and feel like modern convenience stores, however they function in the realm of vending, foodservice and refreshment services. They consist of an open rack display, reach-in refrigerated coolers or/and freezers and a self-checkout kiosk. Consumers are able to pay using cash, credit/debit cards, or a stored value market account, typically accessed through a market card, email address, fingerprint or mobile app.

A single MicroMarket can easily stock between 150-400 products while a traditional vending machine can hold 40 products.[2] Operators are able to take advantage of the additional products by catering to the various diet restrictions (gluten-free, low-carb, etc.) According to MicroMarket technology provider, 365 Retail Markets, in addition to the increased product variety, the open flow and cashless payment options means that consumers a) spend less time in line fumbling with change, b) purchase multiple items with one transaction and c) spend four times as much per transaction than with cash.[3]

As a result of the increased efficiency and convenience for both consumers and operators, the MicroMarket channel has grown exponentially, often leading to the removal and replacement of banks of vending machines. Since their inception in 2005,[1] MicroMarkets have enjoyed a steady rise in adoption, and sales, the most significant growth thus far coming between 2012-2016.[4] The number of active MicroMarket locations grew 574 percent from 2,642 locations in 2012 to 17,806 in 2016.[4] Subsequently, MicroMarket sales increased 42 percent between 2015 and 2016[4] and account for 20 percent of total sales.[5] Total sales for 2016 “included 456 million consumer transactions and 660 million plus product purchase".[4]

Traditionally, MicroMarkets function best in closed environments such as office breakrooms where the employee count is between 150-500; under 150 and the sales wouldn’t justify the cost, and locations greater than 500 typically have onsite dining services. However their increased popularity and with the aid of innovations from technology providers, MicroMarkets can be found on college campuses; lower cost technology options like 365 Retail Markets’ "nanomarket"™[6] are making locations under 150 a financially viable option; locations over 500 are finding value in having a “grab and go” option.[7]

According to one assessment:

The next couple of years will clarify the overall size of the opportunity, but we expect it is actually more than double the initial 2013 projection of 33,500 [by 2022] [MicroMarket] sites and will ultimately deliver $4 billion[-]plus in channel sales.

— The Micro Market Channel—Proven and Strengthening, Automatic Merchandiser[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kasavana, Ph.D., NCE5, Michael; McVety, Jerry; Kasavana, MBA, Emily L. (2016). Mastering Micro Markets: An Operations Manual For Increasing Profitability In Micro Markets. NAMA. p. 1.
  2. ↑ Ketzenberg, Michael E.; Geismar, Neil; Metters, Richard D.; van der Laan, Erwin A. (March 31, 2011). "The Value of Information for Managing Inventory in Vending Machines" (PDF). NAMA: 4.
  3. ↑ Calkins, Erin. "What You Don't Know About Account Funding Could Be Costing You Thousands of Dollars in Fees". 365RetailMarkets.com. 365 Retail Markets. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Bachtelle, Brad (October 12, 2017). "The Micro Market Channel—Proven and Strengthening". Automatic Merchandiser (October/November): 23.
  5. ↑ Zimmer, Adrienne. "Micro Market Pulse: No Slowing Down in 2017". VendingMarketWatch.com. Vending Market Watch. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  6. ↑ "365 Retail Markets Launches Innovative nanomarketTM Kiosk". 365RetailMarkets.com. 365 Retail Markets. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Bachtelle, Brad (October 12, 2017). "The Micro Market Channel—Proven and Strengthening". Automatic Merchandiser (October/November): 25.
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