Automatic_Merchandiser_April_2021 - 40

The Victoria, TX-based division,
managed by Hersey Williams, has
found success by tailoring its markets
to the specific needs of individual
clients. The operation uses several
technologies from 365 Retail Markets
to deploy the right solutions for large
and small locations in private workplaces or public spaces.
" We're using 365 Retail Markets
exclusively, " Williams said. " Anything
they put out is cutting edge. "
The Victoria operation runs some
30 micro markets, a relatively new
category in its service lineup, compared with 70 markets managed by its
sister company Sunrise. Both branches
are expected to experience significant
growth this year.
" We stay on top of the latest technology and anticipate opening many
more markets this year, " Williams said.
" Last year would have been a record
growth year ... we were already up
10% in February, but COVID-19 sent
us into a nosedive. "
That plunge was temporary,
however. Victoria Canteen's business began to recover by late June as
demand for micro markets started to
rise. Micro markets became safe food
and beverage sanctuaries for businesses like chemical plants, machine
shops, food processors and breweries, as well as hospitals and healthcare facilities.
For its larger locations, Victoria
operates 365's Gen3c Kiosks. " For
many locations, it's important to
accept both cash and cashless payment
types, " Williams said.
The Gen3c can be configured to
validate both cash (with an expansion
unit) and cashless payments, or be
completely cashless; it gives change
and can print receipts. The Gen3
model, on the other hand, is designed
for locations that prefer cashless only;
payments can be with an end-to-end
encrypted card reader, a fingerprint
reader or the 365Pay app.
40

Automatic Merchandiser * April 2021

Full kiosk service with

Attractive micro market corner layout
accommodates dry goods, cold drinks
and iPad-powered kiosk. Pictured,
from left, are Victoria Canteen's Aaron
Barecky, Hersey Williams and Al Crable.

both cash and cashless
payments can potentially
boost sales by $500 a
day over a NanoMarket. "
Hersey Williams, manager,
Victoria Canteen

Williams observed significant
sales improvements when upgrading
smaller markets with a full-service
kiosk. " Full kiosk service with both
cash and cashless payments can potentially boost sales by $500 a day over a
NanoMarket, " Williams said.
For smaller locations, Victoria
Canteen uses 365's tablet-based NanoMarket system. It's equipped with a
2D barcode scanner and is designed
to work with 365Pay. It can work
wirelessly or connect to a data line.
Victoria Canteen sets up its NanoMarkets™ for card payments only.
Available for three years now, the
365Beacon, a cutting-edge mobile
market solution, is also put to work
in the Victoria operation. The little
" plug-and-pay " Bluetooth device has
enabled the vendor to add dry goods,
cold drinks and fresh food options
to its office coffee venues. Customers

Victoria Canteen's Hersey Williams (l.)
and Al Crable flank a PicoCooler.

need only to set up an account in the
365Pay app to make purchases in a
Beacon-enabled venue.
" This has allowed us to expand
product offerings in smaller, coffeeonly accounts, " explained Williams,
who will be marketing a coffee/market
hybrid program to schools for their
faculty rooms and offices. " In addition
to food and drinks, we'll be able to sell
school supplies. "
What excites Williams most
are the new merchandising opportunities made possible by 365's
PicoCooler. Introduced a year ago,
the PicoCooler provides accesscontrolled fresh, cold options while
offering self-service security.
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