Automation is considered one of the most important solutions for offering guests in hotels and restaurants the highest possible level of service despite the shortage of skilled workers and staff. Since the importance of this topic is increasing, there should be a special area at Intergastra.
Associations and representatives of the industry support the trade fair in the conception and implementation of the new vending focus.
Bringing providers, users and interested parties together
With the new “Fokus Vending”, Intergastra opens up its own platform for the vending industry for exchange and the opportunity for better networking with the host industry.
“There are a lot of interfaces. As a trade fair, we want to bring together suppliers, users and those interested in the vending sector. In this way, they can make the best possible use of valuable synergies,” says Andreas Wiesinger, Member of the Management Board at Messe Stuttgart.
The Inzergastra will take place next time from February 3 to 7, 2024 instead of. In this context, companies should be able to present themselves that offer both vending machines and suitable products for filling the machines as well as technical accessories. The organizers also want to present various payment systems.
Vending machines enable 24/7 availability
The vending machine has already found its way into more and more areas. Fresh groceries such as milk, cheese and even ice cream are available at the touch of a button, and for spontaneous barbecue evenings, the butcher’s customers can now get meat, sausage and grilled food from the vending machine at any time of the day or night.
The principle can be extended to various areas of life and work. Travelers can conveniently find charging cables, headphones or adapters and all kinds of hygiene items themselves in the vending machines at modern train stations or airports. Even in facility management or housekeeping a vending machine can be the solution, for example, for long distances and shorten ordering processes.
Vending machines that provide tools and spare parts or cleaning agents, care products and filling material for the minibar are already in use today.
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Vending machines supply employees reliably and cost-effectively
On a larger scale, the vending machine business works, for example, as a substitute for canteens. “Meanwhile, 80 percent of the vending machines in companies are available and provide employees with coffee, tea, cold drinks, snacks and even wholesome meals,” explains Fritz Engelhardt, Chairman of the Dehoga Baden-Württemberg.
With the increased introduction of home office regulations in recent years Canteen operations are often no longer profitable for many companies. Vending machines, on the other hand, can ensure that employees are supplied reliably and cost-effectively.
A possible solution that benefits everyone: Regional catering providers stock the machines on a daily basis with their dishes, so that the employees do not have to do without freshly prepared lunches. A cooperation with several companies in a region quickly develops into a lucrative business.
Automation solves staff bottlenecks
Vending concepts are exciting there, where the deployment of personnel is too cost-intensive, for example due to low guest frequency. Staff is scarce – that’s nothing new. It should therefore be weighed up where and how the operational planning takes place.
“Micro-markets are currently emerging in larger office buildings. These are automated mini-supermarkets that sell food and non-food items via digitally controlled refrigerators, vending machines and shelves. Everything centrally and available at all times. The concept is also conceivable for the hotel industry,” leads Fritz Engelhardt out of.
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Next level: Micro-Markets
Micro-markets offer great added value for guests in holiday apartments or on the campsite. With an individual selection of regional foods, such as fresh pasta and pesto for uncomplicated preparation, fine wines, spreads and snacks or necessities such as crockery, cutlery and glasses, but also detergents and care products, the machine gets a more personal touch, tailored to the style of the House. What guests want and spontaneously need is then just a push of a button away.
“The acceptance of such contactless sales concepts has increased rapidly in recent years due to the pandemic,” says Fritz Engelhardt.
Vending machines are also found in the hotel and offer a variety of breakfast options, midnight snacks and complete menus. Especially in times of staff shortages, this saves manpower or simply shorten the kitchen times.
Even for those who like things to be individual despite all the automation, there is a suitable vending concept: vending machines where guests can select the components they want and thus put together their own dish.
For restaurants, the vending machine offer another sales channel outside of opening hours. From homemade sauces and snacks to a full menu to take home, there are many options.
The trend is towards the mobile wallet
This takes place at the vending machine Rarely pay in cash. Just as contactless as the purchase itself, users can pay their bill with a chip or credit card, via a QR code or with a customer card.
However, “digital wallets”, which are intended to replace physical payment cards in the long term, are particularly popular. Payment is then made via smartphone apps such as Paypal or applications from banking institutions.
Everything there is to discover about Focus Vending and what opportunities arise from this for the hospitality industry, show the organizers of the Intergastra in February 2024.
(Intergastra/SAKL)