No, Vending Machines Don’t Charge Extra. Here’s Why That Matters for Your Business.
There’s a conversation that happens in almost every boardroom when someone proposes installing a vending machine. Someone – usually from finance – raises their hand and says, “But aren’t vending machine products more expensive?” Short answer? No. And the longer answer is actually more interesting – because when you break down what’s really going on, vending turns out to be one of the more cost-efficient retail formats available in India today. The MRP thing. Let’s just get this out of the way. In India, every packed product has an MRP printed on it. That’s not a suggestion – that’s the law. The Legal Metrology Act makes it illegal to sell any packaged product above its MRP. Doesn’t matter if you’re a corner shop, a supermarket, a five-star hotel gift shop, or a vending machine. A Rs 20 Lay’s packet costs Rs 20. In a kirana store. In a mall. In […]
