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Not content with making its products available at its outlets and on eCommerce platform, Sri Krishna Sweets has come up with yet another innovative route by installing a self-service vending machine at Brookefields Mall in Coimbatore.
According to M Vaidyanathan, CEO, the vending machine is aimed at making the company’s products available round the clock. He said the company came up with the idea when it was found that there was demand for sweets and savouries from people returning home from work and late night shows.
First in India
The company placed order for a customised dispensing machine with Beta Automation, a start-up in Coimbatore.
Mohan Das KN, Director, Beta Automation, told BusinessLine that this is the first touch screen machine in the country for dispensing sweets and savouries with QR code.
“The buyer will be able to use his debit/credit card or pay cash and collect the packets.”
Versatility
“Besides listing the products (menu) in English and Tamil, the buyer also gets to see the ingredients (fact file) that have gone into making the sweet or savoury, the price, date of manufacture on the screen. On getting the confirmation from the buyer, the bill is generated, so he can make the payment. The packets are simultaneously delivered along with a carry bag,” said Vaidyanathan.
Mohan Das pointed out that the machine, besides taking the order will also detect soiled/fake and crushed notes and dispense with the change.
“One need not worry about getting balance cash or the machine running out of cash. Each transaction is remotely monitored to ensure smooth and hassle-free purchase.”
“We have recorded 75 to 100 hits every day in the last one month. Close to 30 pre-packed sweets and savouries out of our product range of 250+ sweets and 150 karas are on offer,” he said.
More machines planned
“The initial enthusiasm and success has made us look at installing more vending machines in malls, airports, IT parks and places where we would rather refrain from investing in an outlet. We are targeting 50 to 75 machines before the close of this fiscal,” the CEO said in response to a query.
Sri Krishna Sweets is understood to have invested about ₹10 to 12 lakh on the vending machine.
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