The right equipment can make all the difference. Ask any vending operator, and they’ll give you a list of their preferred machines. Give them additional information on location type, size and preferences, and chances are the perfect machine for that account will jump straight into their head.

When it comes to micro markets, equipment is just as essential. While vending operators just need to pick a machine, micro markets require much more. You need to pick the right kiosk, shelving, coolers, freezers, and even auxiliary equipment like coffee machines and microwaves.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach with micro markets. However, there are tons of great suppliers and equipment out there. We’re here to help you ask the right questions to get the best equipment for a successful micro market setup.

The kiosk

The kiosk is the engine of your micro market. Without the right solution, your micro market won’t be successful. So, it’s important to get it right.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing your kiosk:

Ease of use: How easy is it for customers to use the kiosk? Make sure the kiosk has features like accessibility options, an engaging interface and seamless checkout. For large accounts, rapid checkout is essential to accommodate busy breakrooms.

Payment options: Everyone likes to pay in different ways. Look for a kiosk that appeals to your customers by maximising payment options. Cash, cards, virtual wallets, mobile apps – a good kiosk offers your customers flexibility.

Reliability: The worst-case scenario for your micro market is a kiosk experiencing issues during a lunch break. Consider kiosks that have offline checkout, battery backup and durable components.

Sales and management tools: Different kiosk providers have different levels of management tools. Look for inventory, routing and servicing features. Ideally, you also want custom promotions, rewards and loyalty programs. Any system that can let you manage your micro markets alongside vending or office coffee business lines is a bonus.

A range of options: Different locations have different needs. Your kiosk provider should have a large option optimized for bigger locations and a smaller option for smaller locations – plus everything in between to help you maximise your return on investment.

Racking, coolers and freezers

Your snack racks should be modular – meaning you can get different sizes for different locations. Make sure they are flexible with their displays – you’ll want some mixture of pegs and racks to display products. Additional features like product pushers, custom branding and an attractive display will help attract and engage customers. And don’t forget ease of setup: some racking systems come pre-assembled, while others can require detailed installation.

With coolers and freezers, reliability and safety are essential. Features like a health lock will lock the cooler if it loses power – ensuring your customers don’t buy spoiled products. Gravity trays do an exceptional job with sliding beverages down to your customer for easy purchase. Keep an eye on energy-efficiency as well to show your location you’ll go the extra mile.

Signage, security and more

Other items to consider in your physical micro market setup include contact information, kiosk how-to guides and custom branding. Some locations will ask you for coffee machines, microwaves or utensils, so be prepared to offer those if necessary. Good kiosks come with security options built-in, but some accounts will want you to take additional steps to deter potential theft: consider adding detailed signage or external cameras to provide peace of mind.

To run a successful micro market business, you need the right equipment. With the right equipment, you can engage customers, maximise sales and provide excellent service to your accounts. 365 Retail Markets is a turn-key solution for successful micro market setups. We have everything you need to establish and operate a great micro market business.