What Exactly Is a Micro Market?

Employers are constantly on the lookout for new, innovative ways to keep their employees happy. After all, a happy employee is a more productive one. The amenities employers offer in their workplaces can go a long way toward improving company culture and the happiness workers have in these spaces, and one of the best things Dallas, TX companies can do is provide a variety of food and beverage vending options for breaks and lunches.

The common, traditional measure here would be to set up vending machines throughout the facility. However, the micro market is rapidly becoming more popular as a sort of next evolution of the vending machine.

Let’s take a closer look at what a micro market is, how it’s evolved into a growing trend and why it’s become a go-to option for employers.

All about micro markets

Essentially, a micro market is a self-serve vending station from which people can purchase fresh food and beverages. They are becoming increasingly popular in break rooms and in common areas in business campuses all over the nation.

Rather than using a traditional vending machine, there are food and beverage items stored in coolers and on shelves, offering easy access. Micro markets tend to have a much wider range of food and beverage items, including many healthier options, because there is a focus on offering fresh food. They primarily operate on the honor system, as there is a self-checkout kiosk rather than a person staffed there to check people out.

Here are just a few of the ways in which micro markets in Dallas, TX can be beneficial:

  • Wider selection: Micro markets offer a much wider selection than standard vending machines, which increases employee satisfaction. It’s like having a small convenience store located right inside your business.
  • Healthy: Vending machine options don’t tend to be particularly healthy. Because they’re stocked so infrequently, the focus is on foods that are pre-packaged and will last a long time. With micro markets, you can easily stock the machine regularly with freshly prepared lunch items and snacks, as well as salads, fruits and other healthy options.
  • Customizable: The options you get in a vending machine tend to be quite rigid—the vending machine company will probably do most of the choosing and stocking. But with a micro market, you can focus on the needs and preferences of your employees, which helps you get a larger selection and healthier items that are customized to your company’s desires.
  • Self-serve: Checkout at a micro market is easy. The kiosks are self-serve, and in many cases the employee does not have to use cash to complete the transaction. They can use a credit card, or may even have an account set up within the micro market. Some companies do automatic deductions from paychecks, for example, and allow for payments with fingerprints.

These are just a few of the ways in which micro markets can be a benefit to your Dallas, TX business. For more information about setting up a micro market to increase your vending options, contact ABC Vending Co. today.

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