How Do Employees Take Advantage of Vending Machines in the Modern Workplace?
Just as they have been for generations, office vending machines maintain important roles in the modern workplace. That doesn’t mean they haven’t evolved (they have), but vending machines continue to be office staples, and that isn’t changing anytime soon.
To tap into all of the potential benefits of vending machines, it’s important to understand today’s vending landscape. InReach is here to help on that front. Get in touch today to tap into our expertise in this space and make sure your office vending program goes strong for years to come.
Convenience Still Counts
There is one thing that has not changed at all over the years with regard to office vending machines: they are still valued for the convenience they bring to the office. Having food and drink options only a short walk away is something employees appreciate and will often take advantage of multiple times per week.
For some, vending machines are a great backup option to have on hand when a day doesn’t quite go to plan. Maybe they forgot their snack at home and must turn to the vending machine to fill in the gap. Perhaps some meetings ran long, and instead of going off-site to find some food, they’ll just hit a vending machine and get back to work.
Today’s vending machines are more convenient than ever before thanks to the advanced technology that is baked into their designs. Modern machines are able to accept cashless payments, can integrate with mobile apps, and have touchscreen interfaces. Long gone are the days of fishing around in a desk drawer to find a few extra quarters!
Healthy Choices Are a Priority for Many
If you think only of indulgent treats when imagining the product assortment in a vending machine, it’s probably time to take a fresh look at this space. In addition to those more indulgent snacks and drinks, there are now plenty of healthy options for office vending, like nuts, sparkling water, and even fresh salads.
According to research conducted by Mintel, nearly half of all consumers would be motivated to buy convenience food if healthy options were available. This highlights the importance of having a versatile product mix in your machines. Featuring a little bit of everything is the best way to make sure as many people as possible benefit from your vending program.
An Opportunity to Connect
Office work today is more isolated than ever before. On average, 20% of all employees report loneliness, and while that number is higher among remote workers, it’s still 16% for those who work on-site. The average day consists of plenty of time in front of a computer screen, either working alone on a project or collaborating with people in different physical locations over a messaging platform. Given this reality, vending machines in the modern office can serve an important role as a place to gather and socialize during work breaks.
If possible, placing your vending machines near a common space with some tables or benches will go a long way toward helping them fulfill their potential as a place where relationships will form and the team as a whole can grow stronger.
Variety Is the Name of the Game
The variety in your vending machines should go beyond just having both healthy and indulgent snacks and drinks available. You’ll also want to cover the range of dietary preferences and restrictions that are likely to be represented in the modern workplace. That means having vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly options, for example. When you make sure your vending program covers all of these bases, you’ll be signaling to your employees that you value their needs and want to make sure they are properly served and satisfied.
Better Vending Is InReach
Have you noticed that the usage of your vending machines has been trailing off in recent months or years? That doesn’t mean you need to give up on vending altogether! It just means your vending program is in need of an update. Take a moment now to connect with InReach, and better vending performance will be right around the corner.