Unattended retail presents opportunities for vending and amusement operators

Like vending, amusement operators seldom interact directly with their customers. If a vending or amusement operator does their job well, consumers will have what they want when and where they want it.

One of the ways that operators of both vending and amusement machines can accomplish this is by taking advantage of unattended retail solutions where they make sense. “The future of both vending and amusement equipment is unattended. Innovations with AI and automated systems will ensure that equipment can be utilized in an ‘attendant-free’ manner, providing location owners and operators the ability to operate without the need for a large staff or micromanagement. Smart back-end systems across both types of equipment can provide valuable data for the business,”  said Keith Krail, director of marketing for AVS Companies.

Krail should know. Best known to VMW.com readers as a micro markets and vending distributor, AVS also serves the amusements and gaming industries. “At AVS Companies, we provide solutions for our customers across a variety of industries, including vending, amusement and video slot gaming. Our company was founded in 1971, and since that time, we have taken on many new product lines, and each one brings its own set of challenges. But that is the nature of the business: we are risk takers, we are innovators, we look for the new, and we never stop pushing the boundaries on what types of equipment we can distribute and support,” he said.

For operators with both vending and amusement machines, two award-winning games are now available from AVS Companies. At IAAPA Expo in November, a tradeshow for the attractions industry, Alan-1Asteroids Recharged and Night Heron Entertainment’s Kung Fu Panda: The Warrior’s Gauntlet VR gathered Brass Ring Awards.

Alan-1 Asteroids Recharged, a modern reimagining of the classic Atari game Asteroids, earned the first-place award for best new product in the games and devices category. Night Heron Entertainment’s Kung Fu Panda: The Warrior’s Gauntlet VR immerses players into the DreamWorks universe through a dynamic virtual reality experience and won second place in the same category. Both manufacturers are newcomers to the amusement industry.

Does Krail foresee opportunities to introduce gamified elements into vending equipment to enhance customer engagement? “Yes, but the application of the gamified elements would need to be tailored to the specific type of products being vended. Right now, there are a few options on the market, but they are mostly relegated to novelty machines. This would be an area of growth in the future,” Krail said.