How vending machines are shaping the COVID recovery

When the COVID pandemic began, we all found that a lot of things in life changed. From the way we work, to the wearing of face masks and the sanitising of hands, we have all adapted to a new way of life.

Now we are all trying to move back into normal life, but for many, the fears that this created remain and it has made people nervous to completely revert back to the life that they knew.

Vending machines are playing a large part in restoring public confidence and helping both people and businesses to get back on track. To explain further, specialists in vending machine services, Johnson Vending, share their expertise on how vending machines are shaping the COVID recovery.

Contactless snacking

Sales of vending machines are now increasing as people head back to work, gyms and train stations to name just a few popular locations. Even during the lockdowns, vending machines proved to be incredibly useful, often being the only place that people could get a snack or a drink when out and about after all pubs, cafes and restaurants were forced to close.

These were essential for those trying to get out of the house, but more importantly for those front-line workers that kept us all going through such a challenging time.

One of the main advantages that people are now seeing in vending machines is the contactless nature of getting your hands on snacks, drinks and hot beverages. There is no contact with other people, and many vending machines have interfaces which require minimal touch and are easily cleaned.

Many machines now also accept contactless payments, so there is no handling of money in a world where we have all become used to simply swiping a card, phone or watch to pay for things.

Smart vending

Smart vending machines are now becoming increasingly popular as they provide a vast number of solutions. Vending machines no longer just mean sweets and crisps, as smart machines allow you to also offer fresher and healthier foods that will support the wellbeing of those who use them. This means food that can be contained with no chance of contamination, meaning that you can offer peace of mind and high food safety standards.

They allow businesses to monitor the contents of the machines to make sure that the stock is kept safely, warning of items reaching their use-by dates, and that re-ordering is a breeze thanks to the detailed breakdown of how each item is selling.

When this smart technology is applied to coffee machines, it can allow terrific levels of personalisation, with LCD screens providing lots of options for each individual to make their drink exactly the way that they like it.

A vending machine is also able to work around any shift pattern. They don’t need to sleep, so they can keep providing refreshments and taking payments at any time of the day or night.

Micro markets

Micro markets have harnessed the power and technology of vending machines to provide businesses with a replacement for traditional canteen setups. These combine a variety of different machines to suit the space you have available. These can provide hot and cold food and drinks 24 hours a day for any number of employees in any size of business. They offer safety and flexibility in a way that still looks and feels professional. They can be designed to suit your business and create a modern hub for people to spend their break times in.

Vending machines have been a staple part of our lives for decades, but since the global pandemic, they have really come into their own as a way for people to enjoy life on the go without the worry of germs, viruses and contamination.