Latest news with #SpringleafPrataPlace
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Commentary: Need a prata or a Ferrari? There are vending machines for that
SINGAPORE: Walk through any MRT station, mall, or even hospital in Singapore today and chances are, you'll see a vending machine or three. What used to be a niche fixture for drinks, potato chips and candy bars has evolved into a retail model in its own right. Banana cake from Johor Bahru's Hiap Joo, Mao Shan Wang durians from Kaki Kaki and even hot roti prata with curry from Springleaf Prata Place are now available on-demand, 24/7, while stocks last. There's no store, no staff, just a digital interface and a glass window. So, what's behind this rise? Is this temporary, or the future of retail? According to data analytics firm Euromonitor International, Singapore recorded S$117 million (US$90 million) in vending machine sales last year, up from S$100 million in 2019. The figure is projected to reach S$124 million by end-2025. Globally, consultancy firm Precedence Research forecasts that the vending machine market size could grow to US$45 billion by 2034 from an estimated US$23 billion this year. From those numbers, it is clear vending machines are becoming commercially viable and entrenched in our daily lives. WHY VENDING MACHINES ARE GAINING TRACTION Part of their appeal lies in their high efficiency and low cost. In a city known for higher rents, vending machines offer brands a cost-effective way to reach consumers without the overhead of a full retail operation. There are no staff to schedule, no point-of-sale systems to maintain and no need to lock up at the end of the day. A single machine in a busy location can generate steady revenue with minimal manpower. Vending machines are also cost-effective for testing new markets or maintaining a presence in high-traffic areas. Second, they align with Singapore's appetite for round-the-clock convenience. In a country where internet banking, online grocery shopping and QR code payments are part of daily life, Singaporeans are no strangers to the self-service model. Vending machines – which are always on, always stocked (ideally) and increasingly able to serve niche needs – now dispense everything from flowers, clothes, laundry detergent and even luxury cars. There are also vending machines that allow you to see a doctor, get a medical certificate and medication. And then, there is the fandom factor. PopMart and Labubu-style machines, for example, sell 'blind-box' items with the appeal of collectible surprise. Like Japan's gachapon machines, they play on mystery, expectation and the thrill of possibility, turning what would otherwise be a simple purchase into an entire experience. ARE WE HEADED TOWARD A VENDING-ONLY FUTURE? Still, while vending machines are clearly gaining ground, it's unlikely they will replace physical shops anytime soon. Product fit is a consideration. Some products do not lend themselves to the vending application. For example, fresh food has a limited shelf life, and delicate items like make-up can be damaged during dispensing. While vending machines work well for sealed snacks, drinks, collectibles and pre-packed meals, they fall short for things that require human interaction, education or guidance. Even with advances in artificial intelligence and personalised interfaces, some elements of the retail experience remain distinctly human and irreplaceable. Some products require customer education before purchase. For example, skincare, health supplements, tech gadgets and baby products often need guidance or clarification about ingredients, side effects or compatibility. In these cases, customers usually prefer face-to-face engagement to ask questions and clarify doubts. These are things that a vending machine cannot do - yet. Moreover, vending machines offer reach, but not depth. A brand can distribute its product but can't build a community or tell its story like a well-designed pop-up or store. For start-ups or lifestyle brands, physical touchpoints remain key to building trust and identity. POTENTIAL PITFALLS TO WATCH Although vending machines are less expensive than brick-and-mortar stores, they still require significant upfront capital. A new vending machine can cost between S$5,000 and S$10,000. For those who lease the machines instead, rental rates can cost up to S$800 a month. There are also expenses for hardware, licensing, software, maintenance and the logistics needed for regular replenishment, not to mention losses from wear and tear, technical issues or vandalism. Customer support is also an issue. When things go wrong, be it a jammed dispenser or a failed payment, there's no staff on-site to fix the issue. Without a way to resolve issues instantly, instant recourse, brand loyalty can suffer. A case in point: Amazon Dash Buttons. Designed to simplify reordering household products, they were discontinued after users found them unintuitive, lacked feedback mechanisms, and caused accidental orders. Another example is Stockwell (formerly known as Bodega). The AI vending machine, founded in 2017 by former Google employees, installed smart vending machines in offices and apartment lobbies in the United States, aiming to replace convenience stores. According to TechCrunch reports, Stockwell was unable to find a sustainable or scalable model for its vending machines, despite raising over US$45 million. They ultimately decided to shut down operations in 2020. A HYBRID FUTURE For all their efficiency, vending machines are not the future of retail. They are, instead, part of its evolution. Vending machines will become one of many tools in a brand's playbook. For instance, a bakery might use them to sell bestsellers after hours. A cosmetics brand might place machines in MRT stations to distribute limited-edition samples and drive buzz. A supermarket might offload fast-moving items to vending machines nearby, while staff focus on higher-value interactions. Healthcare providers could deploy machines in remote areas to improve medication access and continuity of care. More broadly, vending machines reflect a bigger trend: retail unbundling. Just as entertainment moved from free-to-air TV to cable to Netflix and TikTok clips, retail is being broken down into moments. Rather than competing with vending machines, stores may evolve into experience hubs where customers can explore, sample and benefit from the kind of personalised service only people can provide. You don't need a storefront to sell. But if you want to build a brand, tell a story or win loyalty, you still need more than a machine.
AsiaOne
09-07-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Now you can get Springleaf prata in a cup
Vending machines have come a long way from simply dispensing canned drinks. Nowadays, you can grab everything from freshly-squeezed orange juice to books. So perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that one particular vending machine, located at the Lion City Sailors Football Academy along Mattar Road, is able to dispense one of Singapore's favourite breakfast items — roti prata. This innovative initiative is a collaboration between One Halal Nation, a company known for its halal-certified vending machines, and established local F&B chain Springleaf Prata Place. One Halal Nation's founder and director Amanda Atan took to TikTok last Sunday (July 6) to share the announcement. She revealed that the launch came after three years of discussions and six months of planning to finalise the approved packaging and ensure food quality. In the caption, Amanda wrote: "I am humbly requesting for everyone here to please send your prayers and well-wishes for this unique collaboration to be another successful story." @amanda_a_atan Hello , World !!! 🥰🥰🥰 Let's Welcome another First in Singapore and also the World , Hot Prata in A Cup Vending Machine !!! So , after 3 years of discussion, 6 months of planning for the approved packaging and ensuring of the food quality , we launched another initiative by One Halal Nation with another season food-brand from Singapore, Springleaf Prata !!! 🥰🥰 This machine serves freshly-pan-fried Roti Prata ( Parotha Bread ) or Roti Canai as known in Malaysia, and each cup comes with Fish Curry , separately packed . These cups are then sealed , collected from Springleaf Kitchen Collection Centre , and stock-up on-site at our landlord's location. Customers can choose to buy either , 2 Plain Prata in Each Cup or One Plain Prata + One Egg Prata . This machine sets at a temperature setting of up to 65 Degrees Celcius as per Singapore Food Agency's guidelines. Springleaf Prata is also a MUIS Halal-Certified Food Establishment. So , Prata in A Cup is served HOT and ready-to-eat . This simple yet brilliant machine comes all the way from our vending partner manufacturer from India , VendStop Ankit Shah. When I first told Ankit about my idea last year , he was surprised. However , knowing that my company was also the one responsible in 2021 , with World's First Halal Sushi in vending machines , a collaboration with Singapore's Hei Sushi ; And in December 2019, we launched, World's First Nasi Lemak, Siput Sedut and Nasi Briyani in vending machines, a collaboration with Singapore's Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak , Ankit and his team worked very hard to produce this machine. This business is also to help a first time entrepreneur, another Singaporean-Indian young lady who wanted to start a side-business and decided to be part of my brand's franchisee , with her mother's blessings. She bought her machine two years ago, got the machine shipped middle last year and waited patiently for a good location near her residence, so she can do her own restocking , collection of sales and cleaning of machine. The design of the machine is done by a Singaporean- Malay company, head by Reduan Esdah . Another logistics team , made up of a retired F & B couple , is coming in to collect and stock up the machine every morning. Well , what ya'll see as ' just another vending machine' took such a long period , to get all the right people to work together and serve the community. I am humbly requesting for everyone here to please send your prayers & well-wishes for this unique collaboration to be another successful story . Amidst my own company's challenges since the last 3 years , this Prata- In-A-Cup vending is definitely a fresh breathe in the air …❤️❤️❤️ Have a great weekend, people !! Love … Amanda A Atan ❤️ #onehalalnation #vendpreneur #sgvending ♬ original sound - amanda_a_atan As for the food itself, customers can choose between two menu items: two plain prata or one plain prata and one egg prata. At the time of writing, pricing details have yet to be announced. What we do know, however, is that the prata from the vending machine will be served hot and ready to eat. The prata is freshly prepared and packaged at the Springleaf Kitchen Collection Centre, before it is sealed and delivered daily to the vending machine which is stocked every morning between 8.30am and 9.30am, Amanda shared. Each cup of prata comes with a small portion of fish curry for all your dipping (or dunking) purposes. And for those less comfortable with using your hands to eat, cutlery is provided at the side of the vending machine. Amanda noted that satay sticks were not allowed as an alternative for utensils by Singapore Food Agency. AsiaOne has reached out to Amanda and Springleaf Prata Place for more information. [[nid:718167]] amierul@
