Avanti Blog

The effects and reality of COVID-19 changed the workplace for now and into the foreseeable future. One of the biggest concerns for employers is how to keep employees safer while at work, including reducing the need for workers to come and go during the course of their workday.

New Auxiliary Kiosk provides more flexibility for market operators and host locations.

Whether you have had employees on furlough or working from home, chances are that your workplace turned into a bit of a ghost town when COVID-19 rules forced your operation to adapt. You may still have only a fraction of the number of employees coming to your physical location to work right now.

Even before COVID-19 changed the restaurant and retail landscape in 2020, micro markets were growing at a nearly unprecedented rate due to: increasing consumer demand micro market operator earning potential versatility of micro market options underserved markets which represent opportunity for entrepreneurs ever-evolving micro market technology and capabilities Micro market revenues grew nearly $1B between 2016-2019, climbing to a record high $26B in revenues in only two years. We believe there has never been a more exciting time to become a micro market operator , and here are five reasons why, including the benefits of partnering with Avanti Markets on your micro market business. 5 Reasons to Open an Avanti Micro Market Business Right Now 1. Consumer Demand and Preferences The growth of micro markets is not just about the consumer’s demand for food and beverages. Micro markets answer consumer preferences in many areas, especially now in the aftermath of COVID-19 and its impacts to food service. Micro markets answer the consumer’s growing demand for convenience, self-service, and touchless payments, especially among younger consumers (and a younger workforce). Micro market technology enables unattended retail as a food service solution that can be placed in nearly any setting, such as: Office buildings, lobbies, and corporate campuses Colleges, universities, high schools, and other educational institutions Hospitals, medical buildings, medical office parks, etc. Airports, train stations, bus stations, and other commuter facilities Hotels and motels Adjacent to (or in place of) traditional cafeterias Resorts, arenas, stadiums, convention centers, entertainment venues Neighborhood convenience retail locations Automobile service and sales facilities Today’s COVID-19 era consumer also demands food safety and security. Micro markets offer safer, smarter vending solutions where foods and beverages are safely stored, minimally handled, and where inventory can be managed in real time to avoid shortages and respond to demand. The size and type of items which could be dispensed by traditional vending machines limited their ability to satisfy the needs of consumers who are increasingly aware of the benefits of eating healthy. Micro markets and intelligent vending solutions are not constrained in the same way, and so they are able to deliver access to the healthy, fresh foods that consumers want from food service solutions in retail and employment settings. 

Micro markets are popping up through the country and transforming traditional breakrooms with food and beverage options through choice and versatility combined with a perfect blend of technology for ease and functionality.

PART 4 OF A SERIES CONTACTLESS OPTIONS FOR THE WORKPLACE - OFFICE COFFEE INCLUDED Contactless shopping is a term we are all hearing a lot lately. It’s one of the strategies being enacted to keep people safe given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. But what could that mean for the workplace breakroom? The good news is that companies do have options to help keep their employees safe with contactless options while maintaining office perks such as coffee service or breakroom food options. With the new normal of minimized shared contact points in our everyday lives, the office coffee pot has come under scrutiny. Self-serve pours from the same containers used by virtually all employees no longer feels safe. To combat this, fully contactless coffee solutions are being introduced to the office coffee service landscape. Many convenience service operators are offering coffee programs that limit shared touchpoints to align with consumer expectations. One such example is a bean-to-cup brewer with a software add-on that allows for contactless beverage selection. Users can scan the 2D code on their smartphone and be taken to a mobile interface to make their drink selections. Once selection is completed, the coffee machine will dispense the coffee or hot beverage to the user’s specifications. Companies can use this system to continue to offer free coffee for employees. Or, if they want employees to pay or want to subsidize the cost, the payment can be completed through an associated micro market kiosk. The benefit of a bean-to-cup brewer is that employees can get a fresh, customized cup of coffee at a fraction of the cost of going to the local coffee shop. Not to mention, this way, employees are staying on site to get their coffee instead of traveling to an outside establishment. These are important benefits related to morale and safety of workers. As mentioned, a contactless coffee system can be used in conjunction with a micro market kiosk. An Avanti micro market in your breakroom is another contactless perk not to be overlooked for your facility. Fresh food micro markets offer a variety of fresh, healthy, and in-demand food and beverage items that are likely to keep employees on site for lunch instead of going out to pick up food from a different location.

Micro markets are on the grow nationwide. The revenues generated by micro markets increased 99 percent between 2016 and 2018, representing more than $2B in annual sales. While they initially found success in manufacturing businesses and office buildings, micro markets and smart vending solutions have the potential to grow exponentially in other industries as well.

Smart N Go Markets give hospitals and medical facilities a reliable and secure food service solution that is available 24/7. Smart N Go markets are a revolutionary self-service food service alternative that is ideally suited to better serve the needs of hospitals and medical facilities beyond open cafeteria or traditional snack vending. Available at little or no cost to your facility, Smart N Go intelligent vending allows a variety of fresh food, beverages, snacks, coffee and more to be ready to grab 24/7 behind secured glass doors.