Small vending machine route

Staff, visitors and customers at the sites who buy items from the machine. The site owner usually pays nothing and may get a commission.

You keep the difference between what you pay for stock and the price at the machine, after any commission or rent to the site owner.

• Finding and negotiating with site owners
• Stock buying and keeping track of sales
• Reliable routine and basic machine upkeep

• Public liability insurance and cover for the machines against theft and damage
• If you sell food and drink, check with your local council about food business registration and hygiene rules
• Check your stock storage space, and any permission needed if you store it at home
• A poor location can mean a machine earns very little, so test sites before buying many machines
• Machines are heavy and are targets for theft, so check delivery, lifting and security

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how many machines you buy or lease and your opening stock. These are estimates, so test a few sites before buying many machines.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on your locations and how many machines you run. That is revenue, not profit, and a poor location can earn very little. You would typically need at least 5 hours a week.

If you sell food and drink, check food business registration and hygiene rules with your local council. Also check public liability and theft and damage cover for the machines, stock storage at home, and delivery, lifting and security for heavy machines.