The vending industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, primarily due to the lucrative opportunities it poses for budding entrepreneurs looking to build their first business. Bulk vending and mini claw machines especially have gained traction because they are easier to move solo, and have less physically-demanding maintenance requirements. However, amusement operators are in a unique position with the machines they provide. Where snacks and drinks are universally appealing across most demographics, operators of bulk and claw machines must catch and keep the attention of passersby in order to generate an income. While the amusement side of this industry presents its own challenges, there are many simple strategies to not only draw attention to your machines but also maximize the revenue they generate.

Offer a Diverse Range of Prizes

It is important to include a diverse selection of prizes in your machines for many different age groups and interests. To appeal to a wide demographic, provide a large variety of prizes, including branded and unbranded items for both older and newer generations.

Pay attention to what shows and characters are gaining popularity, and cater your mix to include those that are commonly mentioned. For example Bluey, Hello Kitty, and Hazbin Hotel have caught the interest of many young adults and children this year, and finding prizes that cater to these brands can be a great way to draw in new players. There are also brands that have stood the test of time and many generations can enjoy, from Pokémon to SpongeBob, to Harry Potter. When you are looking for high variety at a low cost, consider prebuilt mixes such as the well-performing 2”Good Stuff and 1”Toy Explosion capsules for bulk machines, or choose from a variety of mini claw mixes, like the Mini Plush Mix Series 1and Series 2, or the Mini Crane Locker Box Starter Mix. Prebuilt mixes are a lucrative and efficient way to restock your mini claw machines without requiring additional time to build and cater your variety to a large demographic.

Switch Your Locker Prize Items

Frequently changing the locker prize in your mini claws can drum up anticipation and encourage more plays. Using the same prize all the time can lead players to believe that there was never any winner to begin with, even if your locker key has been won many times. Remember that unless a player is at the establishment when there is a winner, there is no way for them to know whether the key was won if you always use the same type of prize every time. Switching out the locker item with every maintenance you do ensures that players see new prizes frequently, and encourages them to try their own hand at winning. Experiment with a variety of prizes such as figurines, large plushies, electronic game consoles, mystery bags, and other options to see what encourages the most plays.

Regularly Reset Your Prizes

It is important to maintain a frequent rotation of prize pools for your machines. A large portion of a vendor’s clientele will be the employees at the establishment they are based in, and if you are always using the same prize pool it is easy for things to start feeling stale. Regular prize resets help keep things fresh, and encourage a “limited time” feel when players see something they like, because they worry it may be gone next time they come into the establishment. Some vendors keep a few different mixes on hand to switch out when they restock their machines, and reset their pool with each maintenance day. This can take a little bit of extra time, but it is worth it to ensure the continued plays of those who see the machine all the time and may lose their initial excitement.

Maintain Cleanliness

Cleaning your machines regularly is especially pertinent in establishments where they may get extra sticky – ice cream shops for instance. It is even more important for bulk machines that vend candy, as a clean machine is a good indicator that it has been maintained regularly. Nobody wants to buy candy from a machine that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned since 1977. Ensure that you carry rags or paper towels, glass cleaner, cleaning wipes, and other similar tools in your kit when you are preparing to maintain your machines. Goo-Gone can be another awesome product to keep on hand, and will help remove any stickers you may come across on your machines.

Strategic Merchandising

Merchandising is your best friend as a route operator. Ensure that your machine is clearly marked with prices, and has high quality, visually interesting labels. Face your plush forward so that the eyes will catch the players’ attention when they pass by, and keep high value, appealing items against the glass where children can see them at their own eye-level. Make sure you layer some highly-sought after prizes throughout so that players continue to find exciting items as the machines empty. Consider including seasonal prizes when holidays approach, or add prizes that coincide with the theme of the establishment you are inside of – for example, a gumball machine with ice cream flavored gum in an ice cream shop.

Add Interactive Elements

Interactive elements can go a long way for drawing in players. Claw machines often outperform bulk machines in the same location because they are fun even when you don’t win, being that there is a gameplay aspect to them that encourages players to try their hand regardless of whether or not they receive a prize. Candy Machines’ new Robo Claw machine takes this concept a step further by including a sensor that detects when someone is walking by, and a screen on the back wall with a cute robot character who interacts with and talks to players as they play. Interactive elements can also include music that is loud enough to catch the attention of those passing by the machine, or bright lights to draw players in from a distance like those seen on the Magic Cut Mini.

In conclusion, with a wide prize demographic, frequent prize pool resets, some strategic merchandising, and clean machines, you are setting your route up for broader revenue opportunities than if you were to “set it and forget it!” There are many ways to draw players into your machines as an operator, and while this post just scratches the surface of the endless potential improvements for one’s route, we hope that these pointers will help encourage vendors everywhere to make the most of their locations and generate more revenue!