Is your site ready for a micro-market?
Not every site fits. Before signing, check these physical and cultural preconditions — they're what separates a thriving market from a stocked-then-abandoned one.
- •Space: 8–25m² of secure interior floor space
- •Power: 2–4 dedicated 13A sockets for fridges
- •Data: reliable wifi or ethernet for kiosk
- •Access control: internal-only (badge or door) — not open public
- •Cultural buy-in: leadership sponsor + comms plan for opening week
The 4-week install timeline
Standard micro-market install runs 4–6 weeks. Faster is possible on repeat installs with the same operator.
- •Week 1: site survey, layout, planogram v1
- •Week 2: equipment order + delivery, electrical prep
- •Week 3: install shelves, fridges, kiosk; commissioning
- •Week 4: stock, staff training, soft opening → full launch
Ranging: what to stock on day 1
Start with 150 SKUs across 6 categories, then let telemetry drive expansion. Over-ranging on day 1 causes waste; under-ranging causes disappointment.
- •Fresh: sandwiches, salads, wraps, snack pots
- •Drinks: chilled water, soft drinks, sports/functional, coffee
- •Snacks: crisps, bars, nuts, healthy
- •Confectionery: chocolate, sweets
- •Ambient meals: pasta pots, noodles, soups
- •Groceries: milk, essentials, breakfast
Self-checkout — kiosk or app?
Kiosk is the workhorse: high throughput, no phone required, works for visitors. App-based adds loyalty and subsidy but shouldn't be the only checkout.
Managing shrinkage without policing
Well-run micro-markets accept 1.5–3% shrinkage. The tools that actually reduce it: visible camera coverage, planogram discipline, comms culture, and periodic 'stock check' friction.
Frequently asked questions
How big does a micro-market need to be?+
Minimum viable is ~8m², typical is 12–18m², large deployments run 20–25m².
How long does a micro-market take to install?+
4–6 weeks from signed contract to full launch, depending on electrical prep and equipment lead times.
How many people do you need for a micro-market to work?+
Break-even is typically 100+ on-site staff. Below that, a smart fridge or vending is usually the better fit.
vending.markets matches your brief to operators, formats and finance — neutrally.