April 2023 - 53

When the pandemic hit in March
2020, the OCS industry was in a state
of disarray, as workers were sent home
and office doors were closed. While
others panicked, Lou doubled-down
in pursuit of new opportunities.
" We didn't put our head in the sand
and get afraid, " he commented.
" Whenever there are things that are
upsetting, or uncertain, there are
opportunities. "
While many of the large players
in the industry scaled back their
operations, Executive Refreshments
dove into the fire head-first and
sought to fill the gaps that were
created in the market. " We could turn
and be very nimble and offer things
that our competitors weren't doing, "
according to Lou.
That opportunity was micro
markets and pantries. " With COVID,
micro markets and pantries really
began to gain steam, " Louis reflected.
" That's where our business has
grown. It has sustained us through
COVID, and since then, our business
has taken off. "
Lou and Louis channeled all their
focus on expanding deeper into the
micro market sector and proved to be
a powerful team. " When Louis came
to work for me, he made a tremendous
difference. My sales organization is
much stronger, " the senior operator
declared. " On the marketing side, it's
the same thing. "
By taking over the day-to-day of
sales and marketing operations, while
bringing on new-school methods and
practices, Louis freed up his father to
focus on the big-picture and long-term
growth of the company.
One of their first micro markets
installed as a direct result of the
pandemic was in an office space
that previously had a cafeteria. After
COVID, the office downsized from
1,000 to 700 staff members, and only
15% of staff were participating in the
cafeteria. Executive Refreshments
stepped in and pitched its micro
Executive Refreshments customizes each micro market to individual locations with
the help of proven suppliers, including CoolBlu Coolers, Fixturelite shelving and 365's
PicoMarket self-checkout kiosk, shown above.
market model, which proved to be a
great success.
FOLLOW THE MONEY
To continue growing through 2020
and beyond, Lou knew that he had to
identify which sectors of the economy
were still alive. He pitched his services
to essential businesses and secured
substantial new locations in that
segment. The operators also worked
to integrate an online ordering system,
Bring automated retail
to millions of riders
We're accepting proposals to bring automated
retail vending services to the New York City
Subway. RFP open now through May 2023.
Visit enterprise.nymta.info/
MTA_Real_Estate_RFP
Email mikhaela.tropp@greyco.com or
retail@mtahq.org
Call 212-878-7049
April 2023 * VendingMarketWatch.com 53
2304AUTM_MTA.indd 1
3/21/23 8:10 AM

http://enterprise.nymta.info/MTA_Real_Estate_RFP http://www.VendingMarketWatch.com

April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2023

Editor’s Note
Industry News
How to succeed at NAMA 2023
2023 LEADERS OF THE PACK
Going the extra mile
Is pantry service still your golden goose?
YES, WE CAN!
Social Hubs
April 2023 - PCOV1
April 2023 - PCOV2
April 2023 - 1
April 2023 - 2
April 2023 - 3
April 2023 - 4
April 2023 - 5
April 2023 - Editor’s Note
April 2023 - 7
April 2023 - Industry News
April 2023 - 9
April 2023 - How to succeed at NAMA 2023
April 2023 - 11
April 2023 - 12
April 2023 - 13
April 2023 - 14
April 2023 - 15
April 2023 - 2023 LEADERS OF THE PACK
April 2023 - 17
April 2023 - 18
April 2023 - 19
April 2023 - 20
April 2023 - 21
April 2023 - 22
April 2023 - 23
April 2023 - 24
April 2023 - 25
April 2023 - Going the extra mile
April 2023 - 27
April 2023 - 28
April 2023 - 29
April 2023 - 30
April 2023 - 31
April 2023 - 32
April 2023 - 33
April 2023 - Is pantry service still your golden goose?
April 2023 - 35
April 2023 - 36
April 2023 - 37
April 2023 - 38
April 2023 - 39
April 2023 - 40
April 2023 - 41
April 2023 - 42
April 2023 - 43
April 2023 - 44
April 2023 - 45
April 2023 - 46
April 2023 - 47
April 2023 - YES, WE CAN!
April 2023 - 49
April 2023 - 50
April 2023 - 51
April 2023 - 52
April 2023 - 53
April 2023 - 54
April 2023 - 55
April 2023 - 56
April 2023 - 57
April 2023 - Social Hubs
April 2023 - 59
April 2023 - 60
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https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/automaticmerchandiser/september-october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/automaticmerchandiser/august-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/automaticmerchandiser/automatic_merchandiser_june-july_2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/automaticmerchandiser/Automatic_Merchandiser_February-March_2020
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https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/automaticmerchandiser/april2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/endeavor/automaticmerchandiser/februarymarch2019
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