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Sandeep Jain, Director and CEO of Empire Industries Limited – Grabbit+: Premium Vending Solutions, shares his views and insights for the company he leads. Grabbit+ is known to provide premium vending retail solutions along with seamless customer service. Jain sheds light on the progress of his company, the outlook on the retail industry, and the role vending machines play in across the country - both in retail and non-retail setups.
What kind of roadblocks did you encounter when you first began, and how did you overcome them?
Being one of the leaders in any industry comes with challenges. However, as we were backed up by Empire Industries Limited, a century-old conglomerate public limited company, I saw every challenge as an opportunity. We developed expertise in the vending industry but encountered sporadic delays when it came to helping clients envision and install a single snacks vending machine, establishing and carrying out service standards that adhere to Indian market requirements and obtaining international assistance in order to acquire technologically cutting-edge equipment. With the passage of time, tenacity and the team's dedication, we established a dominant position in the industry, which allowed us to attract more than 1 million corporate users throughout the nation.
We are witnessing a transformation where vending machines have now become an essential component of employee welfare programmes and a convenient way to make refreshments available round the clock. This transformation took place through sustained effort, using our knowledge of technological advancements as well as having an acute understanding of market needs.
What separates you from the rest of the competition?
We are eminent in this industry on the grounds that we are the only vending solutions provider that renders world-class services, from timely preventive and curative maintenance to having best-in-class international vending machines with a wide array of products; 24/7 customer care support with a quick response team; and our very own supply chain.
Sensing the potential for further growth, there has been an influx of many unorganised players, adding volume to the market and installing machines at a lesser price, which eventually puts pressure on their profit and loss and sequentially compels them to provide substandard services. Just by mass-installing vending machines, you cannot contemplate your future place in the industry; there has to be a yield of good services.
I believe this business to be the future of retail, but its growth will only transpire after the vending industry realises the importance of providing best-in-class services to its customers.
What drives you to evolve?
We have a dynamic, discerning, and technologically savvy population that drives demand for goods and consumption trends, which encourages us to keep abreast of all technological advancements and system evolution. We incorporate interactive machines that are US-based and automated in every possible way, allowing the users a fully customised experience.
We use digital platforms to ease the conduct of financial transactions, making it a hassle-free experience.
We spare no effort in devising distinct, yet ideal solutions that cater to different sectors of the market, such as corporations, the public sector, etc. For instance, we fashioned our operations to be compliant with the COVID guidelines, which furthered the progress of our commitment to our clients.
Acknowledging our corporate social responsibility, we operate with gadgets that are energy efficient and contribute to a lesser carbon footprint.
What kind of transformation did you see in your company after the economy was liberated from the pandemic's constraints?
The pandemic created an inflection point that led people to reassess their priorities and needs. The approach to a more sanitary and healthier lifestyle was now being adopted globally, allowing us to make Grabbit+ more visible; a fully automated solution with the benefits of touch less and cashless vending was nurtured.
Consumers have been pushed to use digital and contactless payment mechanisms in recent years, allowing us to use digital platforms and make payments via debit or credit cards, UPI, more feasible. We designed our operations to be compliant with the COVID guidelines, which helped us, follow through on our commitment to our clients.
Revolutionary contrivance further on your agenda...
We have launched a fully-automated cafeteria that constitutes the smartest and most modern range of vending machines coupled with a pre-assembled heating unit, putting together a wide array of products consisting of more than 300 variants, making it a game changer for corporate houses and the public sector. As a touchless and cashless experience, Grabbit Cafe also suffices as a hygienic solution that saves real estate costs and operates without human intervention.
This novel contrivance paints the picture of a full-fledged cafeteria that is accessible 24/7. I believe it will set new standards for building a long-term strategic advantage, eventually favoring the entire retail industry and transforming the vending ecosystem.
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