PICO Markets

PICO markets are what’s new and innovative in the world of vending. The term "PICO" stands for "Person In Charge Of," implying that the user is in control of their selections and transactions. This model represents a novel approach to retailing that aims to provide convenient and accessible shopping experiences for consumers, particularly in environments where traditional brick-and-mortar stores might be impractical or unavailable. These markets leverage technology, automation, and self-service concepts to offer a wide range of products in various settings, catering to the needs and preferences of customers in a dynamic and efficient manner.

What are Pico Markets? Pico Markets vs. Micro Markets Benefits Who Should Have PICO Markets? Why Bernick's?

What are PICO Markets?

A PICO market-style vending is a modern and advanced approach to traditional vending machines. It involves creating a self-service retail space that resembles a small convenience store, offering a wider range of products beyond just snacks and beverages.

PICO market-style vending machines typically have the following features:

Product Variety

PICO market-style vending machines offer a diverse selection of products, including snacks, beverages, fresh foods, salads, sandwiches, microwaveable meals, fruits, yogurt, and even non-food items like toiletries, electronics, and office supplies.

Digital Interfaces

These self-vend machines are equipped with touchscreen displays or digital interfaces that allow users to browse through product options, view images, read descriptions, and even compare prices before making a selection.

Customization

Operators can customize the product offerings based on the location and the preferences of the target audience. This customization ensures that the machines stock items that are relevant and appealing to its users.

Payment Options

PICO market-style vending machines often accept various payment methods, including cash, credit cards, mobile payments, and contactless options, enhancing convenience for users.

Interactive Experience

The digital interface provides an interactive and user-friendly experience, mimicking the feel of shopping in a mini-store. Users can explore the available items, read nutritional information, and make informed choices.

Space Efficiency

While PICO market-style vending machines offer a wide variety of products, they are designed to occupy a relatively small footprint, making them suitable for various indoor locations.

Enhanced Technology

These vending machines often incorporate advanced technology, such as IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity, inventory tracking, and data analytics, allowing operators to monitor sales and inventory remotely.

24/7 Accessibility

Just like traditional vending machines, a PICO market’s machines provide round-the-clock access, allowing users to make purchases at any time.

Modern Aesthetics

PICO market machines typically have sleek and modern designs that align with contemporary aesthetics and attract tech-savvy users.

PICO market-style vending brings a new level of convenience, customization, and user engagement to automated retail. It's a response to changing consumer preferences for more diverse and personalized product options while maintaining the quick and efficient nature of traditional vending.

PICO Markets vs. Micro Markets

PICO markets and Micro markets are both innovative approaches to automated retail, offering a range of products in self-service environments. However, there are differences in terms of scale, offerings, and target audiences. PICO markets are smaller, more customized vending solutions tailored to specific locations, while Micro markets are larger and offer a wider array of products, often resembling mini convenience stores. Both concepts aim to provide convenient and self-service shopping experiences, with the main differences lying in their scale, offerings, and target environments.

Benefits of PICO Markets

The single biggest benefit of installing a PICO market is the enhanced convenience it offers to the target audience. A PICO market provides a convenient, self-service retail solution that is accessible 24/7, offering a curated selection of products that cater to the specific needs and preferences of the location's users. PICO markets are designed to consistently provide products without the variability associated with traditional store hours or staffing availability as the workforce continues to advance and change.

Scale

PICO markets are a subset of Micro markets and are typically smaller in size. They are designed to fit in various specific locations such as offices, hotels, schools, and other smaller spaces.

Variety

PICO markets offer a diverse but more curated selection of products, tailored to the preferences and needs of the specific location and audience. They often focus on providing a mix of snacks, beverages, and essentials suitable for the immediate environment.

Customization

PICO markets offer customization to match the preferences of the target audience, offering products that are most appealing to the users. PICO markets can be customized to provide a range of products that resonate with the preferences of the specific audience. This ensures that users find items they are interested in purchasing.

Tech & Interfaces

PICO markets often incorporate digital interfaces like touchscreens for users to browse products and make selections. The integration of digital interfaces and touchscreen technology in PICO markets adds a modern and interactive element to the shopping experience, which appeals to tech-savvy users. They may have IoT capabilities for remote monitoring of inventory and sales.

Location

PICO markets are suited for smaller spaces where a full-scale Micro market might not be feasible.

Target Audience

PICO markets are ideal for locations with limited space, where a more compact solution is required to provide convenient access to products. PICO markets are available around the clock, allowing users to make purchases at any time, whether it's during regular business hours, late at night, or on weekends.

Ultimately, the enhanced convenience offered by a PICO market directly addresses the needs of busy individuals seeking quick, accessible, and personalized shopping experiences. This convenience factor makes the installation of a PICO market an attractive solution for various settings, benefiting both users and the businesses or organizations that deploy them.

Which Businesses Can Use PICO Markets?

PICO markets can be placed in strategic locations such as workplaces, hotels, schools, and other high-traffic areas. This eliminates the need for users to travel to a traditional store, saving time and effort. The presence of a PICO market reflects a commitment to modern technology and customer convenience, contributing to a positive image for the location. Plus, PICO markets empower users to make their own purchasing decisions, select the items they want, and complete transactions independently, enhancing a sense of control.

Hotels

By using a PICO market, hotel guests can enjoy a modern and convenient shopping experience that aligns with their busy schedules and diverse preferences, enhancing their overall stay at the hotel. PICO markets are designed to offer a self-service shopping experience, allowing guests to browse, select, and purchase items without the need for traditional shopping venues. This self-serve feature appeals to those on the go and looking for nourishment, vacation treats, and those must-have essentials when away from home. Guests can easily locate the PICO market within the hotel, often situated in common areas like lobbies, near elevators, or in dining spaces. Signage or digital displays usually guide guests to the PICO market's location. The entire process, from browsing to payment to product retrieval, is streamlined and efficient, allowing guests to complete their transactions quickly and get back to enjoying their stay.

Hospitals & Healthcare

PICO markets on a healthcare campus can bring several benefits that enhance the experience of patients, visitors, and staff members. PICO markets offer convenient and accessible self-service retail solutions that align well with the unique needs of healthcare environments. Healthcare facilities can be stressful and time-consuming places; patients and families waiting for appointments or recovering from treatments can benefit from a variety of refreshments available in the PICO market, enhancing their comfort and satisfaction. PICO markets provide a convenient way for patients, visitors, and even healthcare providers to access snacks, beverages, and essentials without leaving the premises. PICO markets operate 24/7, catering to various schedules and needs. Patients and visitors can access the market at any time, including during evenings and weekends. And, PICO markets can be stocked with a mix of healthy food and beverage options, promoting healthier choices for patients, visitors, and staff. This aligns with healthcare's focus on wellness.

Offices and Workplaces

Installing a PICO market within an office or retail space can significantly contribute to employee satisfaction in the modern workplace by addressing various needs and preferences of employees. As work environments continue to evolve, the inclusion of a PICO market offers a range of benefits that positively impact employee well-being, convenience, and overall job satisfaction. With flexible work hours and busy schedules, employees might not have time to go out for meals or snacks. A PICO market offers them quick and accessible options during their breaks or whenever they need a quick pick-me-up. They provide a convenient option for employees to access a variety of snacks, beverages, and essentials without leaving the workplace premises. This saves time and effort, enhancing convenience. And, for hybrid or remote working models, employees or guests who visit the office intermittently can enjoy the same convenience as full-time office staff. Truly, a PICO market in the modern workplace provides a user-centric solution that aligns with the changing dynamics of work and employee expectations. It enhances convenience, encourages healthier choices, and contributes to a positive work environment, ultimately leading to higher employee satisfaction and overall well-being.

Schools / Universities

Schools or campuses can greatly benefit from having a PICO market to enhance student well-being and provide a convenient solution that caters to the needs and preferences of students. They work to offer products that cater to diverse dietary preferences, cultural backgrounds, and food allergies while serving as gathering spaces where students can connect, interact, and unwind during breaks. Students often have busy schedules with classes, extracurricular activities, and study sessions. A PICO market offers quick and accessible options for nourishing snacks, beverages, and meals without the need to leave campus.PICO markets can be stocked with a variety of healthier food and drink options, encouraging students to make balanced dietary choices. Students, and faculty or staff for that matter, may have irregular eating patterns due to class schedules and commitments. A PICO market allows them to grab food whenever they have a break or free time while eliminating the need to travel off-site to find food, saving time and contributing to their well-being. By featuring a PICO market on school campuses, schools can offer a valuable solution that prioritizes student well-being by providing convenient access to nourishing options, fostering healthier choices, and contributing to a positive and inclusive campus atmosphere.Schools or campuses can greatly benefit from having a PICO market to enhance student well-being and provide a convenient solution that caters to the needs and preferences of students. They work to offer products that cater to diverse dietary preferences, cultural backgrounds, and food allergies while serving as gathering spaces where students can connect, interact, and unwind during breaks. Students often have busy schedules with classes, extracurricular activities, and study sessions. A PICO market offers quick and accessible options for nourishing snacks, beverages, and meals without the need to leave campus.PICO markets can be stocked with a variety of healthier food and drink options, encouraging students to make balanced dietary choices. Students, and faculty or staff for that matter, may have irregular eating patterns due to class schedules and commitments. A PICO market allows them to grab food whenever they have a break or free time while eliminating the need to travel off-site to find food, saving time and contributing to their well-being.

By featuring a PICO market on school campuses, schools can offer a valuable solution that prioritizes student well-being by providing convenient access to nourishing options, fostering healthier choices, and contributing to a positive and inclusive campus atmosphere.

Bernick’s PICO Market Experts

A reliable vending distributor who specializes in PICO markets can play a crucial role in helping customers increase revenue from their installations by offering expertise, support, and resources to optimize the performance of the markets. A distributor like Bernick’s can provide insights into the most popular and profitable products to stock in PICO markets. We’ll work to recommend a diverse range of items that cater to different tastes and preferences, increasing the likelihood of customer purchases. We keep a pulse on market trends (so you don’t have to) and can suggest seasonal or trending products that are likely to attract attention and boost sales during specific times of the year.

This extends to tailoring your product assortment based on your demographics and preferences of the specific location or target audience, ensuring a more appealing product selection for those you serve. By leveraging the expertise and resources of a reliable distributor, businesses can optimize their PICO markets for revenue growth. Distributors provide valuable insights, support, and solutions that enhance the customer experience and encourage increased sales, ultimately contributing to the success and profitability of the PICO market operations.

Partnership Statement

A good partnership stance is built on a foundation of collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to delivering value to both businesses and their PICO market provider. By fostering a positive and open relationship, both parties can work together to create a successful PICO market operation that meets customer needs and business goals. Together, we define key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure the success of your PICO market operation. This is made possible by establishing clear lines of communication from the outset and maintaining regular check-ins and updates to discuss performance, feedback, and any concerns.

Technology Integration

Choosing a PICO market provider like Bernick’s means benefitting from innovative technology and responsive customer support. We ensure that any potential technical issues are addressed promptly to minimize disruptions. We’re committed to continuous improvement by jointly identifying areas for enhancement. This includes regularly assessing the PICO market's performance and making necessary adjustments. With our PICO market customers, we’ve developed a structured feedback loop where both parties can provide input and suggestions in order to enhance satisfaction for consumers. In transparency, we share relevant sales data, customer feedback, and performance metrics with each PICO market customer looking for substantial insight into our process and business principles.

We Both Focus on Your Business

We believe that unparalleled success lies within fostering a collaborative environment where both parties contribute ideas and solutions on how to better the operation. Respect each other's expertise and contributions to the partnership. Celebrate successes and milestones together. Plan for the long term and consider how the partnership can evolve as the business grows. Encourage brainstorming sessions to optimize the PICO market offerings and operations. Together, we focus on the long game while doting on every single detail along the way.

A partner like Bernick’s can guide your PICO market install, stocking, and success with the most popular and profitable products. Let's get started building yours!