A new vending idea has come to Australia and may be a fresh stream of revenue for the franchising arena. A 24 hour mini bookstore, Novel Idea Vending has already proved a success in the UK with outlets including major airports. The concept was launched in Sydney and has interest from a number of distributors including online bookstore Booktopia and Dymocks. Don Grover, CEO of Dymocks, told Franchising magazine, “I think it’s very innovative and applicable for the Australian market. We’re interested but have not yet committed the resources to understanding the distribution.”

Grover said the question of scale needed to be considered but he believed the concept ideal for franchising.

Robyn Gipters, general manager of Novel Vending Australasia, with distribution rights in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, said a number of distribution methods were being considered.

Typical outlets for the purpose built vending machines which offer a range of bestselling paperbacks, packed in presentation boxes, are likely to include airports, colleges, schools, hospitals, hotels and military bases.

The machines have an LCD screen which provides information about the books on sale, and can accept cash or credit card payments.

Gipters said an average daily sale of eight books made the proposition very viable.

“One man can service five machines in a day. The machines have got sales tracking so are easy to service.”

Vending has become more dominant because of low staffing costs, no high rents and flexibility – if it doesn’t work you can easily move a machine’s location, explained Gipters.

“The advertising revenue is phenomenal,” she added. “Regardless of book sales, the machines are almost like billboards.”

In the UK a leading bookseller, Waterstones, is poised to brand the machines around the country.

In addition to the external branding, promotional opportunities include the book box, bookmarks and inserts. Products such as MP3 talking books and travel items can also be packed in the boxes.

Visit www.novel-idea-vending.com