The Micro Market Guide.
What is a Micro Market?
A micro market is an unmanned, self checkout convenience store within your workplace that operates 24/7. Micro markets typically feature open shelves, commercial coffee machines, chilled and frozen displays, and a self-checkout kiosk. Unlike traditional vending machines, products are displayed openly and paid for at the kiosk using contactless payment systems, or the integrated payment app. Since no till operator or canteen staff are needed, micro markets offer businesses a cost-effective alternative to a staffed café or canteen.
Micro Markets vs Vending Machine - What's the Difference?
How Does a Micro Market Work?
A micro market works by transforming an unused or underutilised area of your workplace into an open, self-serve retail environment that operates around the clock. Unlike a business vending machine, where products are hidden behind a glass wall and dispensed one at a time, micro markets display their food and drinks openly on ambient or refrigerated shelving units giving employees the experience of a convenience store without having to leave the workplace.
When an employee is ready to pay for their snacks, or meal deal, they can simply scan their items at the contactless payment kiosk and pay using a contactless card, mobile wallet or through the app that is integrated with the till. No cash, no staff, no queues.
The entire micro market system is underpinned by smart management softwares that track inventory management, sales data, consumer behaviour and micro market waste in real time. Micro markets operate with a fully managed vending service that is hassle free for facility managers and delivers genuine value to employees 24/7.
What's Included in a Micro Market?
A fully managed micro market from Connect Vending includes everything your site needs to run a self-serve food and drink operation. Each element of the micro market installation will be tailored to suit your workplace needs.
Micro markets typically feature ambient shelving, chilled and frozen display cabinets, commercial bean-to-cup coffee machines, office water taps, and smart fridges and since no two micro markets are the same, we’re not limited to this list. Whether you need a compact self-serve snack station or a full unattended convenience store replacing your workplace canteen, we’ll design a solution around your space, your footfall, and your people. Our team stocks every micro market with a fully customisable product range,including fresh food, snacks, soft drinks and hot drinks with the flexibility to change, expand, or refine your range at any time.
At the heart of every micro market is a self-checkout kiosk accepting contactless card, mobile payment, and app-based payments so no cash handling, no till operators, no queues. Every installation comes with a fully managed micro market service, meaning Connect Vending’s operators handle everything from restocking and product management to equipment maintenance and account support making the entire process hassle-free for you.
What Can You Stock in a Micro Market?
Micro markets can stock a wide range of fresh food, snacks, hot and cold drinks, ready to heat meals and frozen products. This wide product range far exceeds the range available in a traditional vending machine.
Fresh food sits at the heart of most micro market ranges, with products like sandwiches, wraps, salads, sushi, and pasta pots delivered at least three times a week. For employees working longer shifts or late hours, ready-to-heat meals provide a filling hot meal option without the need for a staffed kitchen making micro markets a practical workplace food solution for any site. Ambient shelving can be stocked with office snacks, confectionery, crisps, cereal bars, and healthier grab-and-go options, while chilled and frozen displays carry soft drinks, energy drinks, dairy, yoghurts, and ice cream.
The product range is entirely customisable so whether your site needs a strong healthy vending range, grab-and-go breakfast options, or high-protein snacks for a more active workforce, we’ll build a product selection around your employees needs. Dietary requirements are no barrier either, with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly products available as standard. Employers can also integrate food subsidy schemes directly through the payment kiosk, making it easy to support employee wellbeing as part of a wider workplace benefits package.
Unlike a vending machine, which is constrained by machine capacity and product format, a micro market has virtually no limits on what it can stock.
Some of the brands we stock include:
Benefits of a Micro Market
A micro market transforms your workplace into a space where employees feel valued and supported. By providing convenient access to fresh, healthy food options throughout the day, you’ll see immediate improvements in morale, productivity, and workplace satisfaction.
24/7 Access to Fresh Food in the Workplace
Culturally diverse and Dietary Offerings
Bespoke Designs tailored to Suit Your Needs
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you prevent theft in micro markets?
Business owners often get the wrong impression of micro markets and believe they are an increased risk to theft because they are unmanned. However, we usually find that the level of theft in micro markets is actually quite low and that the end users often find the self checkout process familiar.
Micro market payment kiosks come equipped with a security camera system, which take photos of the employee if they cancel an item rather than producing a payment option. Our micro markets are managed using market-leading back office tools, meaning we can alert you of any discrepancies in inventory that may be as a result of theft.
How many staff do you need for a micro market?
As a general guide, a micro market works best on sites with 50 or more employees. This ensures sufficient footfall to make the installation commercially viable and the product range fresh and regularly replenished. With that being said, every site is different, some smaller sites with high footfall or extended operating hours can have a high performing micro market. Connect Vending will assess your site and advise on the right solution for your headcount and usage patterns.
Can a micro market replace a workplace canteen?
Yes, and for many businesses it is a more cost effective and flexible offering. A staffed canteen requires ignificant ongoing investment in staff, equipment, and overheads. A micro market delivers a comparable food and drink offering, including fresh food, hot drinks, snacks, and ready-to-heat meals, without any of the staffing costs. It also operates 24/7, meaning shift workers and early starters are catered for at all hours which is something a traditional canteen cannot offer.
Who manages and restocks the micro market?
Everything is handled by Connect Vending. Our team of operators monitor your micro market remotely using smart stock management software, tracking sales and inventory in real time to ensure shelves are always stocked with the right products. Restocking frequency is determined by your site's footfall and sales volume, with high-traffic sites visited daily. You also have a dedicated account manager who reviews performance, manages your product range, and ensures your micro market continues to meet the needs of your workforce.