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Do Micro-Markets Really Improve the Workplace?

Do Micro-Markets Really Improve the Workplace?

Published: 28th November 2023

When it comes to improving your workplace, there might be lots of things that you have considered, but have you thought about micro-markets? They are the latest trend to feature in workplaces up and down the country, but how do they improve where you work?

What is a Micro-Market?

Micro-markets look like a cross between a café and a shop, but you won’t find a single person working in them. Using the combination of sophisticated vending machines and self-service payment, these retail spaces serve food and drinks quickly and easily, presenting huge amounts of choice all whilst being incredibly convenient.

The micro-markets can serve a variety of hot and cold food and beverages, which can be paid for using credit or debit cards, or through workplace cards or fingerprint readers. They allow people to buy a snack, drink or meal without needing to hang around.

When looking at micro markets verses vending machines, each micro-market is unique as it can be fully tailored to the workplace it is situated in. Everything from the size, shape and colours can be designed to fit in with the space you have, meaning that they can be as big or small as you like, and incorporate your company branding.

How do they improve the workplace?

Efficiency

One of the biggest advantages of a micro-market is the speed and convenience that they offer. By replacing physical staff with self service technology, it makes it much easier for employees to grab what they want and go.

This can help to cut down on the amount of time that is wasted during the day, and also gives employees more chance to enjoy their break time, ensuring that they return to work feeling refreshed.

Healthy choices

Traditional vending machines are often the places where you are likely to find crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks, which do not always lend themselves to the healthiest diet. As a micro-market is able to present much more choice, it means that it can incorporate some much healthier options.

Employees can now choose from salads, sandwiches, wraps, fruit, yoghurts and soups, ensuring that they can make healthier life choices and feel as though they work for a more caring business.

Company culture and reputation

Installing a micro-market can have a big impact on the culture of a company. By serving high quality food and drink in such a way, it can now appear more modern and therefore attractive.

It demonstrates that the business, and the people who run it, value their employees and support more welcoming and productive working environments. This goes a long way towards making the business feel like a better place to work and can be effective in increasing staff retention as well as attracting new talent from elsewhere.

Productivity

Many employees experience a lull during the day, which they either try to push through or tackle with the help of the nearest sugary snack. A micro-market gives them the opportunity to refuel properly, with the choice of a range of foods, water and coffee.

This will help to give them the boost that they need to get through the rest of the day by maintaining constant, sensible energy levels, ensuring that they are more productive.

Return on investment

Micro-markets cost less to install than other canteens or cafes, and as they are self-service, they are also relatively cheap to run. However, micro-markets have a very broad reach, meaning that they have the potential to make a healthy profit for the business.

A micro-market is something that can make a significant difference to almost any business, by helping employees feel valued, giving them the choices, they need, and benefiting the bottom line and the reputation of the business.

Learn more about our micro-markets

Available to businesses in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and across the East Midlands, our micro-markets operate in locations that require an unassisted payment experience, allowing employees to purchase fresh food, snacks, drinks and fresh bean to cup coffee using a self-serve checkout.

To find out more about our micro-market solutions contact our team on 01157 845 845 or email us at sales@cemavending.co.uk.

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