Why Should Vending Machines Offer Multiple Product Categories?

2026-10-05

Learn why vending machine product diversification matters and how to choose a second product category based on customer needs, location, and product fit.

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After a vending machine has been operating at the same location for some time, operators often face a simple question:

Can the same customer base support another product?

That question is at the heart of vending machine product diversification.

Adding a new category does not simply mean putting more products into the same location. The more important questions are:

Who are the customers?
What else do they need?
How long do they stay?
Does the new product fit the location?
Is it related to what is already being sold?

When these factors line up, adding a second product category becomes much easier to evaluate.

Single-Product vs. Multi-Product Vending

A vending machine focused on one product category is relatively easy to manage. Inventory is simpler, restocking is more predictable, and the operation is easier to understand.

The trade-off is that the business depends heavily on one type of demand.

A multi-product strategy takes a different approach: keep the existing product while looking for another need within the same customer base.

Factor	Single Product	Multiple Products
Product range	Limited	Broader
Customer needs	More focused	More varied
Inventory management	Simpler	More complex
Product testing	Limited	More flexible
Use of existing traffic	Focused on one demand	Can address several related needs

More products do not automatically mean better results.

Every additional category can also bring new inventory, equipment, maintenance, and operational requirements.

That is why the second product should be selected carefully.

How Do You Choose a Second Vending Machine Product?

Instead of starting with the question “What product is popular right now?”, start with the location you already have.

A quick assessment can look like this:

Question	What to Look At
Who are the customers?	Age, interests, shopping habits
Why are they here?	Shopping, entertainment, tourism, leisure
How long do they stay?	Quick visits or longer stays
What are they already buying?	Existing products and customer needs
What else might they need?	Related or overlooked demands
Can the location support another machine?	Space, power, network, maintenance

A shopping mall, arcade, tourist attraction, and creative retail space may all have strong foot traffic, but the customer behavior is very different.

The right second product depends on the location.

Look for Related Products Before Entering a New Category

A second product does not have to come from a completely different industry.

In many cases, the easier opportunity is right next to the existing product.

Existing Product or Demand	Possible Extension
Phone accessories	Phone cases, screen protectors
Phone cases	Custom phone case printing
Mobile phone services	Screen protection
Arcade entertainment	Badge printing, DIY products
Cultural products	Personalized souvenirs
Custom products	UV printing

There is an important distinction here:

Related products do not have to be identical products.

For example, phone cases and screen protectors are different products, but they serve the same general customer need.

Likewise, selling a ready-made phone case and printing a personalized phone case are different consumption experiences.

From Buying a Product to Creating One

One interesting direction in vending is the shift from simply selling products to offering a small interactive experience.

Traditional vending mainly answers:

What does the customer want to buy?

Self-service customization asks a slightly different question:

What does the customer want to create?

A phone case printing vending machine is a good example.

Customers can select an image, upload it from their phone, adjust the design, and have the customized phone case produced on site.

The process is simple:

Choose → Upload → Adjust → Print → Collect

The product is still a phone case, but the customer is also taking part in the creation process.

Traditional Phone Case Retail	Custom Phone Case Printing
Choose from existing designs	Choose your own image
Product is prepared in advance	Product is made on site
Focuses on the finished product	Combines product and experience
Depends more on prepared inventory	Offers more customization options
Customer mainly makes a purchase	Customer participates in the process

This type of self-service model can be interesting in locations where customers are willing to stop and interact with a machine.

Where Can a Phone Case Printing Vending Machine Be Tested?

There is no single location that automatically guarantees a good fit.

Instead, consider the type of customer and the reason they are visiting.

Location	Typical Consumer Behavior	Potential Fit
Shopping malls	Mixed shopping needs	Phone accessories + customization
Arcades	Entertainment and younger audiences	DIY, badges, custom products
Tourist attractions	Souvenirs and memorable experiences	Photo-based phone cases
Creative retail spaces	Design and personalization	Custom phone cases and merchandise
Trend-focused commercial areas	Personal expression and experiences	Phone case printing + DIY products

The important point is not simply whether a location has traffic.

The quality and behavior of that traffic matter too.

Can Phone Case Printing and Screen Protection Work Together?

These two products address different but closely related needs.

One focuses on:

Personalization

The other focuses on:

Protection

The customer journey can therefore look like this:

Smartphone → Screen Protection → Screen Protector

Smartphone → Appearance → Phone Case

Phone Case → Personalization → Custom Phone Case Printing

The value of this combination is not simply having two machines.

It is about giving the same customer more than one relevant reason to make a purchase.

Another Option: One Device, Multiple Product Applications

Multi-product vending does not always mean installing several different machines.

Another approach is to use equipment that can support multiple product applications.

For example, a desktop multifunctional UV printer can be configured for different personalized products and applications, such as:

Phone cases
Mirrors
Fridge magnets
Puzzles
Commemorative coins
Other customized items

This creates a different operating model.

Traditional Approach	Multifunctional Equipment
One product may require one dedicated device	One device can support several applications
More equipment may be needed as categories grow	More centralized equipment setup
Product expansion can require new hardware	More flexibility for product testing
Suitable for a focused product	Useful when testing several products

For operators who are still exploring which product categories fit their customers, this type of equipment can provide more flexibility.

More Products Does Not Always Mean Better

This is one of the easiest mistakes to make when expanding vending machine products.

Imagine a location with five different products, but customers are only interested in one of them.

The additional products may create more inventory and maintenance work without solving a real customer need.

A simple five-point check can help:

Check	Question to Ask
Customer fit	Will existing customers actually need it?
Location fit	Is the product suitable for this environment?
Dwell time	Will customers spend enough time using it?
Equipment conditions	Is there enough space, power, and connectivity?
Product relationship	Does it complement the existing product?

If only one or two answers are positive, there may be little reason to rush into expansion.

If most of them line up, the product may be worth a small-scale test.

Start With a Small Test Instead of Expanding Everything

Product diversification does not have to begin with a large equipment investment.

A more practical approach is:

Observe → Test → Adjust → Expand

Stage	Main Focus
1. Observe	Understand the existing customers
2. Select	Choose a related product category
3. Test	Introduce it at a suitable location
4. Track	Observe actual customer interaction
5. Adjust	Refine the product or equipment combination
6. Expand	Replicate what works in other suitable locations

This approach also changes the way product decisions are made.

Instead of relying entirely on assumptions about what customers might want, operators can use actual customer behavior to refine the product mix.

The “Second Product” Is Really a Second Customer Need

Once a vending machine has established a location and a steady flow of customers, the next question does not always have to be:

“What other machine can I put here?”

A better starting point may be:

“What other need do these customers have?”

The difference is subtle but important.

The first question starts with equipment.

The second starts with demand.

Once the demand is identified, the equipment becomes a way to deliver the product or experience.

Phone Case Printing as an Example of Product Diversification

Phone cases are certainly not a new product.

What changes is the way the product is sold.

Traditional phone case retail focuses on choosing from existing designs. A phone case printing vending machine adds an on-demand customization process.

The product path can be viewed like this:

Phone Case

↓

Personalization

↓

Custom Phone Case Printing

↓

Screen Protection / Badges / Other Custom Products

For locations that already attract smartphone users, this creates a possible path from a single product category toward several related services.

Depending on the location, operators may also consider combinations such as:

Phone case printing
Phone screen protector machines
Badge printers
Desktop multifunctional UV printers
Other self-service customization equipment

Kemore provides equipment across these categories, allowing different products to be selected according to the location, customer profile, and intended application.

Final Thoughts: Find the Need Before Choosing the Product

Vending machine product diversification is not simply about putting more products into one location.

The more useful questions are:

Who are the existing customers?

What else might they need?

Does the location support that demand?

Does the new product connect naturally with the existing one?

Once these questions are clear, choosing a second vending machine product becomes much more straightforward.

For mobile, entertainment, cultural, and personalized retail environments, options such as phone case printing vending machines, phone screen protector machines, badge printers, and multifunctional UV printers can be considered as potential product extensions.

The final choice, however, should always come back to the customer and the location.

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