By the end of the read I was wondering why I can't setup a few vending machines, sit back and watch the profits roll in. I know it's likely more complicated that I imagine, but it seems like such a hands off way to manage commerce. It wraps up inventory management and sales into one convenient package and takes out the daily responsibilities.
I know people who have vending machines. It's a very nice business but like almost everything else you need experience to do it right. It's not easy to find good locations, you need to stock the right stuff, you need to deal with repairs. It's not as hands off as you may think.
I'd always heard, at least here in the Midwest US, that vending machines are run by organized crime (being historically cash-based) and vending routes and locations involve a certain amount of "protection". Maybe cashless vending machines are changing the landscape. Maybe it's all hokum.
For a while I seemed to end up on a YouTube algorithm that was full of people doing just that - a good few found success, but there seems to be a good chunk of work to do looking after the machines and stock.
I have a relative with several vending machines. He is also in a position of power at the location where they're placed. So yeah you'd be competing with a guy like that.
I'd imagine that the property owner where you're placing the vending machine is going to want to cut, and probably some sort of rent payment and lease agreement signed.
That said, I've seen more weird giant vending machines in airports nowadays, the memorable ones to me selling all kinds of lego sets.
China also has some crazy vending machines, from ‘robot arm’ icecream machines to 3d printed candy and chocolate machines.