24-hour self-service shops: a game-changer for your business.

Nowadays, 24-hour self-service shops are extremely common. Just take a stroll downtown and other high-traffic areas to realize that it’s increasingly common to encounter 24-hour self-service shops, fully automated self-service stores selling all kinds of products: snacks and drinks, hot meals, pizza, souvenirs, gadgets, parapharmacy products, and in recent years, even cannabis-based products. 24-hour self-service shops have been extremely successful because they are available 24/7, require no staff, and are easy to use and manage. 24-hour shops allow businesses to significantly increase their revenue.


But what are 24-hour self-service shops?

These are shops that operate without any employees, usually located inside small premises on central streets in a strategic and easily accessible position. They can consist of 3 or more vending machines, and generally contain products from various categories, including adult products and light hemp that buyers prefer to dispense without the need for an intermediary to ensure maximum privacy at the time of purchase.

Automatic self-service H24 shops are highly appreciated by consumers for all the aforementioned reasons, but they are also winning over entrepreneurs as they allow offering their clientele a complete and continuous service. Additionally, vending machines require minimal maintenance and little time for management, consequently not necessitating excessive economic and labor commitment. For this reason, many entrepreneurs who also have other activities opt for an H24 shop, with minimal initial investment and contained labor commitment, in order to increase their earnings easily.

Harvin's 24-hour self-service shops

If you’re also thinking of opening a self-service H24 shop, you’re in the right place! Harvin has been producing vending machines for 25 years for every sector, starting from cigarette and e-cigarette vending machines, to those for pharmacies, snacks and drinks, and for some years now we have specialized in the automatic distribution of light hemp, which is increasing the profit margin of many retailers. Our team of engineers and software developers is constantly updated on industry news and allows us to offer our customers cutting-edge and innovative sales tools. Harvin offers you a complete service at every stage of the purchase and our sales representatives will evaluate with you the most suitable locations to install vending machines and invest in a self-service H24 shop, proposing the solutions best suited to you based on your needs and budget.

We will also advise you on the best-selling products to include in your vending machines to maximize profits from your business and continue to assist you for any needs even after the sale.

Once you receive the free, no-obligation consultation, we will install the machines and offer you a free training day at our headquarters to teach you the procedures you will need to use your machine: it involves minimal and easy-to-learn maintenance, and Harvin will remain at your service for any needs!

How to Open a 24-Hour Self-Service Store

As we mentioned earlier, Harvin’s team will offer you a free consultation and help you design your business plan step by step. But what do these assessments involve? Below we list the fundamental steps to follow to open a self-service 24h shop:


1) A business plan

The first thing to do is to carefully evaluate all expenses and initial investments, to avoid rushing into a sector without proper planning, where, although enthusiasm is understandable, it is better to make the right considerations first. Especially regarding the costs of opening the premises, as they are significantly reduced compared to those of a physical shop with employees, which certainly entails much higher costs.


Location choice

When deciding to open a self-service H24 shop, it is essential to find the best location. There is no point in investing in an automatic shop in a hidden, hard-to-reach place far from the eyes of potential customers. The best solution is to open this type of shop in an area with high pedestrian traffic and easily accessible both on foot and by car. It is also crucial, if opening a shop containing adult products and light hemp, to choose a location far from sensitive places such as schools or churches. Finally, be careful to analyze the urban area and nearby shops before making your choice! Opening an automatic shop too close to your potential competitors could prove unprofitable.


3) Rental of the premises and furnishings

During the choice of venue It is essential to find a pleasant location, as in the vending sector the eye not only plays its part… it is absolutely fundamental! It is indeed very important to furnish the premises in a way that makes it well-lit and welcoming. Some even choose to place small sofas inside the self-service 24h shop to accommodate passing customers in a comfortable place where they can consume the purchased food or simply rest their feet for a few minutes. If you manage to create a pleasant space for your customers, rest assured they will return to purchase at your self-service 24h point of sale!


4) Which products to choose

As mentioned previously, it’s important to choose high-selling products that, in addition to offering you a high profit margin, will be chosen by many customers. Harvin, with his twenty years of experience, can offer you professional advice and truly valuable tips for your business.


5) Choice of vending machines

Once you have found the location and the most suitable investment solutions for you, it’s time to purchase the vending machines and find those best suited to your target clientele. Keep in mind that buying a vending machine means you will be dealing with that supplier for the entire lifespan of the machine, so it is important to turn to a serious company like Harvin to ensure you receive the maximum level of service and support for all your needs.

Vending machines can be either purchased or rented. It is important to choose the vending machines most suitable for the products you will offer your clientele; this is a crucial step because vending machines should not be selected solely based on their price but also on their functionality. For example, customers prefer technological vending machines that are immediately user-friendly with purchase support services.

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