Although 95% of vending machine revenue comes from traditional items such as sodas and snacks, unique vending machines are giving the industry a boost. Many companies are trying to sell their products in vending machines because it adds convenience and gives them a competitive edge. You can get practically anything on demand from a vending machine including live crabs, cupcakes, phone chargers and even the “morning after” pill.
Take a look at some of the weirdest vending machines in the world.
Cupcake Vending Machine
Sprinkles Cupcakes has Cupcake ATM machines for their delicious, one-of-a-kind cupcakes in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas. Customers can satisfy their sweet tooth whenever they are craving a cupcake, 24 hours a day.
Makeup Vending Machine
When you are running late and forgot to bring your makeup bag with you, fear not because L’Oreal Paris makes looking good a whole lot easier when you are on-the-go. Customers just have to stand in front of the mirror and digital screen on the vending machine and they can be transformed from drab to fab. The L’Oreal vending machine uses specialized sensors and cameras to suggest the best L’Oreal products for their skin type and facial features. This vending machine provides an “Intelligence Color Experience” by detecting the colors you are wearing and making suggestions of the best products for you.
French Fries Vending Machine
If you are in Belgium, you can go to Chaussee de Gand-Steenweg op Gent in Brussels to get French fries from a vending machine any hour, day or night. With a few presses of the button, your order of fries will be up in 90 seconds
Live Crab Vending Machine
There is a vending machine in Nanjing, China, that dispenses live crabs. That is right, “Live”! The machine temperature is programmed to 41°F to keep the crabs in the hibernation state so they do not die. In fact, the company guarantees you will get a live crab or they will compensate you with 3 live ones.
Birth Control Vending Machine
Pennsylvania University students are able to purchase the ‘morning after’ pill at a convenient vending machine on-campus at the health center.
Books Vending Machine
When the book store closes, you can still make a purchase at the Barnes and Nobles vending machine. From best sellers to Sudoku workbooks, from new releases to the beloved classics, you can get easy access to a good book to get you through that long trip out of town.
Fresh Milk Vending Machine
Throughout Spain, consumers can get fresh milk from local vending machines. Consumers can fill their own milk bottles at these convenient machines, giving them access to milk direct from local farms.
PlayStation Vending Machine
For $200, you could use a vending machine, in Denver, to purchase a PlayStation Portable System. Customers no longer have to wait in long lines at the local electronics store to get their hands on the newest portable gaming system.
One-Stop Shop Vending Machine
Red Box has a vending machine located in Bethesda, Maryland that gives a whole new meaning to the term “one-stop” shopping. You can get all types of products including a full-size laundry detergent, a package of cheese, a 4-pack of toilet paper and Tylenol. It is really like a vending convenience store.