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Tips for Profitable Milk Vending

While milk sells itself, there are some things a school or business can plan to do to ensure optimum sales and value.

Make sure you have a prime location in the school or business, as well as all day access to the products

Make sure your milk vending machine is placed in a well-traveled area and is accessible at all hours. Milk machines allow customers to purchase milk at times when it is not normally sold or when other lines are too long. Be sure your machine is operating and accessible at all hours during the week and on weekends.

Flavors moo-ve

Flavored milk sells best in milk vending machines. Stock the machine with a variety of flavors. Check often with your milk supplier to keep current about new products and flavors that become available. Monitor sales and order appropriately.

Cold is cool

Milk must be properly delivered and stored to maintain quality and flavor. Keep milk below 41° Fahrenheit at all times. Machines must be connected to a continuous power source that is not shut off at night or over the weekends. Add a lock to prevent the machine from being unplugged.

Manage your machine

Keep the machine clean, well stocked and in good operating condition to attract and keep customers. Use a preventative maintenance program to avoid breakdowns and have the machine repaired whenever it is malfunctioning. Rotate product and watch code dates. Clean the inside and outside of the machine daily.

Price for value

Set milk prices to be comparable with other vended beverage prices.

Promote for profit

After the novelty of the new machine wears off, keep sales high by conducting simple but effective promotions like sampling days, rewards programs and contests.

Ask for assistance

Contact Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association for further information on how to implement a successful milk vending machine program.

Click here to download the Tips for Profitable Milk Vending PDF.