Sliding Scale Vending

Beverage Vending Machine Automatically Changes Price Based on Outside Temperature

While in Chicago the other day for the Shopper Marketing Expo, Coke’s Global Customer & Commercial Leadership Director (responsible for foodservice development and international growth strategy) described the technology used to increase traffic to vending machines at a handful of amusement parks in Spain for the past two years. The machines would automatically lower their prices as the outdoor temperature rose, by means of a software developed by Varadero.

From their headquarters, Coca-Cola spokesperson Carrie Brown explains, “The machines were designed specifically to increase trial of Limón&Nada as a thirst quencher in the summer heat.” Limón&Nada hopes to come to America under a different name as a low-cal, preservative-free lemonade from the Minute Maid brand. Also being offered in test markets is Limón&Nada Peppermint and Limón&Nada Light.

Brown said that the software hasn’t been used in other markets, but declined to comment as to weather (tee-hee) they planned on using this technology in the future.