Innovative Retail: The Evolution of Vending Machines and Social Media Shopping

Nowadays, I feel like more advancements are happening in the retailing world using social media platforms and through the use of vending machines as well. Most of the social media platforms have integrated online shopping platforms in the apps so that the users can utilize their influence to sell things. Facebook started it using its marketplace page, Instagram allows users to open a business account to sell products, and TikTok the shop page is also a way for users to sell their products. Everyone has the opportunity to make money by selling almost anything that they can get their hands on. It has become an exciting decade for the side hustlers who are finding success in the world of retail.

Another way of retailing things is by using vending machines.

This morning as I was passing by a hallway of the MRT station, I noticed that a vending machine was set up on one of the corners. I think it's a good use of space because it was bare before the addition of this vending machine. I also think that people are likely to buy because we tend to buy things whenever we are on our way home after a stressful day at work.

It may look like a typical vending machine but it is somewhat different from the rest. This particular vending machine is like a mini "mini" convenience store. It has a variety of products in it. From snacks...

drinks...

phone cases...?

umbrella, pocket fan, power bank, and even lock chain for a bicycle???

The compact size of this vending machine belies the impressive variety it offers, rivaling or even surpassing the selection found in a typical 7-Eleven store. The minds behind this innovative vending machine clearly think outside the box, integrating a diverse array of products into a single compartment. It is both amusing and remarkable to find such an unexpected assortment of items alongside food.

This creative approach not only highlights the potential for vending machines to evolve but also showcases the innovative spirit driving this industry forward.