If you find yourself passing through London's Canary Wharf in the near future, keep an eye out for a couple of brand-new vending machines offering short stories on the go. The machines are being offered by the Canary Wharf Group in response to customer surveys asking what kinds of amenities they would like to see throughout the district.
We think literary vending machines are great idea. We also think that fitness vending would be a very nice compliment to them. As you're strolling through Canary Wharf and thinking about grabbing a short story you can take on the Tube, you can grab an energy drink or a protein bar too.
Short Stories on the Go
Regular readers of our blog know how much we appreciate creative vending ideas. We have always said that you can sell just about anything in a vending machine if you choose the right location. That said, Canary Wharf is a great place for short story vending machines.
The machines, produced in France, dispense stories that take roughly one, three, or five minutes to read. Each story is printed on a long piece of environmentally friendly paper similar to a receipt you would get from a shop’s cash register. Just choose your title, press the button, and retrieve the paper slip as it comes out of the machine. Then you can either recycle the paper or throw it in the bin when you're done. The stories can be had free of charge.
Lonely Planet says that some 200 of these machines have been installed thus far around the world. You can find them in major cities like Paris, Hong Kong, and San Francisco.
Complimented by Fitness Vending
After reading about these literary vending machines, we think it would be a good idea for the Canary Wharf Group to seriously consider adding fitness vending machines side-by-side. We all know what it's like to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea or coffee, so we see a lot of potential here.
Let's say you're looking for a five-minute read you can get in quickly while on the Tube. Wouldn't it be great to compliment that read with a delicious sports beverage? Absolutely. The combination of a good story and a great tasting drink will have you refreshed and ready to go when you reach your destination.
The point of all of this is to once again remind our readers that there is money to be made in vending of all types. Fitness vending is no exception. With the right location and a moderate amount of traffic, a fitness vending machine on your premises could generate significant profits without requiring any labour from you.
We install the machines, we keep them stocked, and we maintain them throughout. All you do is provide the floor space and electricity. Fitness vending is a great money-making opportunity for leisure centres, gyms, hospitals, schools, shopping centres and yes, even Canary Wharf.
Sources:
Lonely Planet – https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2019/04/09/short-edition-london/
