Why smart solutions are the future of the automated retail space
Smart fridges: Can they replace vending machines?

Tijs Van Bladel works as a Sales Manager at Boost inc and is responsible for scaling Europe’s two largest retail concepts (Foodies, Europe’s leading micromarkets and smart solutions brand and Boostbar, the fastest growing unattended retail operator in Switzerland). In this article he discusses how smart fridges are a viable alternative to vending machines and why they are the future of the digital automated retail space.
People want modern refreshment solutions, but choosing the right solution for your customer or location can be confusing, especially if you’ve had previous bad experiences with onboarding new tech. It’s also a big leap of faith to try something new, considering vending machines have been historically ingrained into your business model.
But the truth is – done right, smart fridges will transform not only your business but your customer’s business too, if you partner with the right provider.
There are 4 main reasons for this drastic claim:
Fact #1: Smart fridges sell more
Smart Fridges bring a brand new digital experience to the world of vending. Where traditionally, the vending operator was limited to analog, mechanical hardware of which the end consumer put in a coin or presented a payment card, pressed a button and the spiral turned; smart fridges are completely digital and engage with consumers via large digital screens and modern retail software.
This offers a whole new breath of possibilities, including upselling capabilities, the ability to run promotions and report on sales in real-time. We’ve had first hand experience of seeing the impact from switching from traditional vending to a smart fridge and seen monthly sales increase by an astonishing 3571%. Madness, I hear you say, but completely true. A smart fridge has the ability to promote better consumer experiences, by encouraging multiple transactions through upselling and the ability to run pre-scheduled promotions.

What are the key benefits of a smart fridge?
- Completely modular solution
- Ability to upsell to the end consumer
- Can run pre-scheduled promotions to encourage sales
- Reports sales in real-time
Fact #2: Smart fridges are easier and more efficient to operate
Vending is a people and service business, where merchandisers are at the heart of making an operating business successful. The more complex the machines are, the harder it is to train people, which ultimately impacts speed of service. Smart Fridges may look like they can overcomplicate things in comparison to vending machines, but that’s a perception based upon the resistance to embrace change.
The truth is, smart fridges actually take away technical complexity for products that weren’t historically possible to vend: fresh products, awkwardly shaped products and products that are easily breakable are a few problems that come to mind when we think of expanding the range in traditional vending. Switching to a smart fridge means no more tweaking spirals, pushers or motors, which means that you’re not at risk of seeing products getting stuck mid dispense, putting the machine out of action, losing shape or breaking.

Merchandising also becomes extremely easy, up to a point where literally anyone can fill a smart fridge after a 10 minute training session. It makes the concept extremely scalable, operationally efficient and provides new methods with caterers and gastronomy players that weren’t possible before.
Fact #3: Smart fridges facilitate and automate
All unattended retail solutions want to deliver a flawless customer experience, from the moment the consumer engages with the point of sale to the moment they’ve been able to grab a product smoothly, without any errors. Sadly, we all know (and vending machines have the dents to prove it), that this process is far from perfect. If we could provide a solution that does meet those promises, would you be more willing to try it out? If so, please do read on…
There are a lot of different options when it comes to choosing a smart solution, and it’s a confusing environment out there. You’ve likely heard of simple trust-based QR Code payment to RFID tech, weight-sensing scales and computer vision with Artificial Intelligence. But what do they all mean and which one is best? Truth is, they’re all viable solutions in their own right, but some often come with a hefty price tag, as well as imperfections.
Whilst most machine providers focus on one technology only, at Boost inc, we really focus and rely on our ecosystem and provide various smart cooler options: modular in hardware set up and in theft management. From literally a simple fridge or freezer with a QR Sticker to roll out a cost effective solution, to smart coolers with digital screens, vision “AI” camera’s or RFID, or connecting 2 coolers (mix & match fridge and freezer) to one screen. We’ve developed the tech to bring machines together under one umbrella and are able to help you build the right concept for your business and budget.

Depending on the segment(s) that you serve as an operator, and the products you wish to sell, we’ll have the right toolkit for you in our portfolio. Because in the end, one size doesn’t fit all and we understand that operators need to be equipped with options to fit every need, rather than put forward something which will only reflect badly on them in the fullness of time.
Fact #4: Last but not least - don’t they simply look better?
There’s no doubt about it, smart fridges are definitely a huge step-up from traditional vending when it comes to their aesthetic look and feel. Products that are stuck behind glass (like in traditional vending machines), make product information inaccessible, which is an increasing issue given the dietary needs and intolerances of consumers in the modern market. Smart fridges actually promote clear communication about the products they vend on their screens, which allows the end consumer to not only search for a product based on their preferences, but quickly disregard products that are not suitable for them.

The digitalisation of the solution also promotes:
- Multi basket vends and bundles
- promotions and vouchers
- Loyalty programmes
- Smartphone apps and much more
Providing operators with several amazing tools and features to increase revenue.
How do you get started?
Let’s be honest – new technology is never just a simple thing and often takes a leap of faith to secure its conviction. It requires embracing a mindset change to be willing to change from traditional vending into a new way of working. But, when the operator is willing: we’re also willing to make sure that a pilot will go smoothly and be successful and prove that switching is the only way forward.
There are many operators who have leapt with us and are currently adopting smart cooler technology across European markets. For example, Hofmanns, which is part of Compass Germany, have successfully rolled out close to 200 smart freezers in less than 24 months all across the country, making it one of the fastest growing smart cooler concepts we’ve seen to date, winning an innovation award of the international frozen food federation.
We’re not here to overcomplicate things, we’re here to make things work and be a sounding board for guidance. We’re very aware that this is new and scary technology to some, which is why we do everything we can to ensure the transition is smooth and successful, with plenty of personal onboarding and training along the way! We take pride in our smart solutions and are more than confident that they are the simplest but most complete system to work with in our modern environment, which is testimony to being able to scale so rapidly with our operators across Europe.
Contact Us
Want to learn more and test one out in your own setting? We’re here to help!