Micro markets are a growing trend in the vending industries. Instead of a traditional vending machine, food and beverage options are stored in coolers and on shelves for easy, self-serve access. The convenience store models that micro markets are based on allow users to take advantage of a wide selection of food and beverage items. Vending machines are the most commonly reported source of work site food. Two-thirds of larger sized employers have vending options available, and about a quarter of smaller sized employers do.
Did you know workplace productivity is directly correlated to nutrition? One of the best features of a micro market is not only the convenience of accessible, healthy food items, but the fact that they are self-serve, and do not require any additional manpower to serve employees or tenants. These convenient, technologically advanced micro market stations take your business vending options to a whole new level. Along with an increased product selection, micro markets also offer:
Micro Markets vs. Traditional Vending Machines
Initially, many people assume a vending machine acts the same as a micro market in terms of offerings. While that may be somewhat true, there are distinct differences between the two types of vending that essentially puts the two in very separate categories. First, vending machines tend to be limiting in terms of what types of food can be offered; many traditional vending machines are manufactured to offer shelf stable products like snacks or refrigerated items like bottled water, juice, and soft drinks.
What’s missing between those two is the open space to offer non-traditional vending items like salads, yogurt parfaits, eggs, sandwiches and wraps, and protein packs. Just as someone would open the refrigerator door in their own kitchen, micro markets offer the type of experience similar to accessing the meal items at home or at a grocery store.
Convenience, ease of use, variety, and compelling displays all set micro markets apart from traditional vending machines. They encourage fast snacking and long lunches alike; they promote workplace culture and camaraderie, and offer relief in times of hunger and thirst 24 hours a day.
So … the question is, why choose a micro market rather than a traditional vending machine?
Micro markets are gradually becoming more and more lucrative in terms of investment opportunities simply due to the fact that they provide additional benefits over its traditional vending machine counterparts. Some benefits include:
- Enhanced user experience
- Web-based inventory management system
- Wider variety of products
- Easier maintenance with low downtime
- Several payment options
- Pricing flexibility
- Retail mindset vs. vending
The key differentiator between micro markets and traditional vending is arguably user experience; the self-serve kiosk is intended to give patrons complete control over the experience and amplify the food and beverage offerings. It’s a simple yet dynamic solution to the ever-changing world and consumer desires.
Micro Market Costs vs. Traditional Vending Machine Costs
Perhaps your office has a traditional vending machine with a few snack and drink options, or no options at all. Your traditional vending machine is not only lacking a variety of options that suit all employees, it may also be costly to your company's budget. Have you assessed the costs of your vending machine recently? Have you thought about the revolution a micro market could have for your employees or staff?
Research by Cost Owl was published in How Much Does A Vending Machine Service Cost? The many costs associated with traditional vending machines are revealed. Full-service vending machines are the most popular option, both owned and operated by a vendor. The vendor maintains, restocks, and collects all profits from the machine.
The vendor generally has control over which products the vending machine is stocked with, which may be products your employees don't want. Some vendors have a requirement of companies to have between 25-75 employees in order to obtain the vending machine cost-free. Companies who do not meet these requirements are left with the options to lease or buy their own vending machines.
Leasing a vending machine can range anywhere from $50 to $150 per month, based on your company's credit score. The dealer may also require a security deposit of several hundred dollars. If routine maintenance of the machine is not included in the contract, you may incur additional costs. If you opt to have complete control over the vending machine, the purchase price could range from $1,000-$6,000.
With these options you can take advantage of filling the machine with the products you choose, but be prepared to use any profit from the machine to simply cover the costs of maintaining and restocking it.
Along with the costs of buying/leasing a vending machine, there are also administrative tasks your employees are required to complete to make sure the machine is functioning and stocked, taking time out of their workday. With a micro market, there are no costs to organizations for the installation or the ongoing management of keeping it stocked and running smoothly. Employees are treated as customers paying for each transaction on their own. Businesses that feature micro markets don't spend any money on traditional setups or filling it with food and beverages.
Micro Market Fixtures
With cost being covered, it’s time to start imagining what the space might look like with a micro market installed.
Types of micro market fixtures typically include open shelving and refrigerated coolers; racks and tiered baskets offer simple access for grab-and-go ability for snack items like popcorn and beef jerky. Entire fresh meals prepared by our local catering partner are prominently featured in coolers offering ample space for breakfast sandwiches, salads, and fruit and veggie trays.
Using your space’s exact configuration, we’re able to determine the best layout for installing your micro market. We want the space to be both inviting and intuitive; ease of use and interface are both barriers to any new type of technology regardless of context. Our micro market team understands this is a priority across every location we serve. Setup is established after our two entities agree on the best possible scenario based on the people the micro market will serve.
Your Bernick’s micro market rep will work with you to determine your needs and wishlist ideas for your employees. After mutual consideration, we’ll install the dry storage and shelving units, coolers, hot beverage stations, ice and fountain systems, kiosks for payment, and security.
We bring our team to do all the dirty work, and we do it based on the least amount of intrusion on your team’s behalf. If that means 5am, we’ll be there at 5am. We’re dedicated, goal oriented, and have the commitment you need to get your micro market installed in a timely and orderly fashion.
We roll everything in, stock your shelves for employee consumption, and cut you loose to get back to your business. This step is the best. From here, we either work with your team to navigate your new micro market, or we empower you to handle the kickoff. Either way, you’ll be equipped (as will your employees) with the knowledge and appreciation of what they now have access to: unlimited, convenient, fresh, healthy foods, snacks, beverages, and sundries.
And we don’t just walk away. Your goals are as important to us as they are to you. Part of the micro market installation process is continual monitoring and customer satisfaction to ensure the right choices were made on your company’s behalf. Like we said, this is the good part.
The Best Investment
Naturally, the reverse of cost is investment. There is no cost associated with adding a micro market to your company’s landscape. The investment you make in your employees’ satisfaction, however, is immeasurable. As far as workplace vending options go, none have the same price as micro market vending: $0.
Though micro markets don’t require cost from a customer point of view, they offer plenty of investment to be realized in terms of culture and personal experience. For example, Bernick's offers over 300 different products. This selection truly creates the feel of a miniature convenience store.
As part of the free installation, Bernick's will create a custom designed market that best fits the space available and the tastes of your employees. Using a touchscreen, patrons of a micro market can choose from a variety of payment methods — all of which are convenient and secure. Micro market payment options include debit card, credit card, fingerprint, barcoded cards, and cash. This is really all about the people you serve in your building, office, or campus. It removes the barrier to nutritious, comforting food and drinks with the added bonus of being easily accessible and reasonably priced.
Chapter 3: Breakroom Makeover
The New Breakroom Cafe
Office and collaborative professional space of today has undergone a major transformation over the past decade, and it’s arguably for the best. With the nation experiencing an almost war-like focus on recruitment and talent, companies are responding in ways that embrace and enhance culture more than ever. Gone are the days of poor overhead lighting and beige cubicle walls; instead workplaces embrace natural lighting, casual and comfortable spaces, openness, and even a reimagined workplace cafe. Access to snacks, premium beverages, barista-quality coffee, and high end machines are becoming more commonplace — and more in demand than ever.
Break Rooms are being transformed into modern pantry and cafe spaces that engage your most valuable asset: your team. Micro markets offer a fresh take on the workday lunch and encourage personal connection and assist in well-being and health initiatives.
How do micro markets encourage culture?
As a business owner, improving employee morale is important. Sure, return on investment, hiring and training, and customer satisfaction are vital to your growth too — but it all begins with ways to boost morale. These methods are the foundation of your organization. One positive change that impacts your workers is a micro market in the workplace. Micro market vending is especially beneficial to companies that rely heavily on the physical work of employees, like manufacturing for instance.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people spend most of their time at work with 8.7 hours of the day on average, followed by 7.7 hours of sleep. The largest portion of their day is spent within your walls.
Recognizing that commitment and the needs they have while at work will improve employee morale.
According to research conducted by Paycor, companies that combined the proper mix of benefits saw employee turnover decrease by 138 percent. Benefits and perks are something a micro market can provide. The freedom to choose what people eat and drink and gives employees the flexibility to manage their days and workloads while staying satisfied.
Destination Within the Workplace
Micro market vending machines are a convenience-style marketplace that offers individuals endless options when it comes to food and beverage. Whereas traditional vending machines are somewhat limited to snack-type foods, micro market vending can offer meal-type fare including fresher, healthier options from our newly revamped brand. Installing a micro market on your premises provides employees with options to cover breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks, sugar cravings, and even a midnight snack if your operations run a second shift or around the clock.
This is a great workplace perk as your employees no longer need to worry about where they'll be able to get their next meal from.
Most micro market vending companies will tell you that a micro market will improve employee morale, but they won't tell you how. Firstly, a micro market vending machine establishes a haven for your employees. Everyone knows what it's like to be tired at work, desperately searching for a pick-me-up. Micro market vending is a place that sits adjacent to all the action, but is secluded enough for employees to take a breather.
As far as workplace vending options go, for most companies the choices are incredibly sparse. Employees across the country are often limited to what they can find in the vending machine, and a vending machine can only hold so much. Micro market vending provides a fantastic solution. You simply line the shelves with fresh, nutritious food and have your employees pick from a plethora of good food. This wide selection will make your employees look forward to their breaks, and is one surefire way to boost morale in your workplace.
Micro market vending machines also contain healthy choices. Over half of all workplaces throughout the US have wellness programs. It's easy to see why. Keeping your workers healthy is one of the best methods to improve employee morale. Why? Because healthy workers get sick less and work more efficiently. The improvement in their health makes them happier overall and gives them the mental and physical strength to complete arduous tasks.
The statistics are consistent — healthier employees are far more engaged than their peers. This improves your company culture too. Recent studies show healthy employees have:
