How to Open a Recession-Proof Vending Business

There are no guarantees of success when starting a business, but you can dramatically increase your odds of success by preparation and due diligence. Do you have a business idea? Do some preliminary market research. Is there a demand for your product or service in your area or is the market already saturated?

Look Around

For the vending business, you’ll want to look around your area and notice anywhere you see vending machines. What kind of machines are they? Are they selling healthy snacks and drinks or the standard junk food fare? If you see vending machines that are only offering junk foods and beverages, you may be able to replace them with healthy vending machines filled with better, healthier options. Doing a little research can help you decide if there is a demand for healthy vending in your area. And if the demand is there, you could possibly be successful with a vending business. Starting a business can be scary, even when the economy is booming. So, being a business owner during an economic recession can be really terrifying. In order to be successful in the long run, you need to make sure your business can weather economic ups and downs.

Weather the Highs and Lows

There are certain types of businesses that weather economic highs and lows better than others. When choosing an economy-proof business, think about what products and services you rely on yourself when money is tight. The things you spend money on when you feel you have no money at all are likely to lead to great, stable business ideas. Vending is one of those businesses. Because vending machines are convenient and sell items at a relatively low price point, vending machine businesses are not hit as hard by economic recessions. Plus, the start-up costs can be minimal, giving you an opportunity to generate cash flow relatively quickly. You can boost sales even more by adding credit card payment options to your machines, often a preferred method of payment during an economic crunch.

Everyone Needs a Pick-Me-Up

If anyone likes a quick pick-me-up, it’s the stressed out American worker. While heavy drinking at the office is frowned upon, nearly everyone can get behind a big bowl of jellybeans. Candy consumption in the United States went through the roof during the Great Recession. The New York Times reported that Cadbury’s profits were up 30 percent in 2008, and Nestle saw a 10.9 percent growth. Inexpensive, sweet treats provide a necessary break from all of the bad news. Indeed, during the Great Depression, treats like Snickers, Tootsie Pops and Mars Bars were all invented, and are still enjoyed today. Candy can soothe anxiety and it’s an affordable treat when you’re tightening the budget elsewhere. Food businesses are very lucrative because no matter the economic situation; people must eat. People will always purchase snacks and fast foods, regardless of the economic trends.