100 yen!
80 yen!
!!
50 yen!
!!
!!
In the streets of Osaka, we often see drink vending machines labeled "cheap" or "cheap".
Some of them cost 10 yen ...
Various things are being raised these days.
Why are there so many cheap vending machines in Osaka?
(Osaka Broadcasting Station Why? Interview Group Suzu Ryoko Yokoyama Yasuhiro)
A lot of 100 yen vending machines
It's been over two years since I was assigned to Osaka as a reporter.
I was worried about it.
I often see vending machines for 100 yen.
Even if a regular vending machine sells for 150 yen or 160 yen, in Osaka ...
"One coin!" "Price down !!"
There are colorful "cheap vending machines" such as yellow and blue here and there along with pops that have a strong presence.
How many are there?
When I contacted industry groups, I found out that the number of vending machines installed in Japan was known, but the answer was "I don't know the price range."
The reporter walked and examined
Therefore, I decided to actually walk around the center of Osaka to find out.
I chose Tenma, the station next to JR Osaka station.
When I investigated the area of 500m around the downtown area, I found 100 yen vending machines one after another in parks and parking lots.
Some vending machines sell for 80 yen or 50 yen.
There were actually 47 vending machines sold for less than 100 yen.
How are you making a profit?
How do you make a profit with cheap vending machines?
I visited the company that has it installed.
Hiroyuki Michibata, the representative of a company that has about 400 vending machines installed in Osaka Prefecture.
Michibata sells beverages for 120 yen at vending machines of other companies for 100 yen.
Hiroyuki Michibata, a 100-yen vending machine company
"Osaka people are sensitive to food price increases, so it's easier to buy one coin. " Many
people are particular about "profit" in Osaka.
Mr. Michibata has been selling for 100 yen since the company was founded 13 years ago.
Michibata says there are two secrets that can be sold for 100 yen.
Secret # 1 Local beverage maker
First, we have a good relationship with some of the local beverage makers.
There are many mid-sized beverage manufacturers in Osaka, such as Sangaria Beverage Company of Japan and Cheerio Corporation.
At Michibata's company, by communicating closely with some of these manufacturers on a daily basis, it is possible to preferentially and cheaply purchase drinks that are out of season and products with old designs whose label designs have been changed. It is said that it can be done.
From the manufacturer's point of view, they accept inventory even if the cost is low, so they have a win-win relationship with each other.
Secret # 2 Geography of densely populated Osaka
The second is that it is characteristic of Osaka, which is densely populated.
Osaka has a relatively small population, such as "Kita" around Umeda, "Minami" around Namba and Shinsaibashi, and Tennoji and Abeno.
Even when replenishing products to vending machines, it is possible to concentrate on work through an efficient route, so delivery costs are kept down.
Hiroyuki Michibata, a 100-yen vending machine company
"Osaka is a small city, so if you concentrate on areas where the population is concentrated, it will be very easy to make sales."
I also found a vending machine for 10 yen per bottle!
As I proceeded with the investigation, I also discovered a surprising vending machine.
What a 10 yen per bottle!
Isn't it wrong by one digit?
When I approached while thinking that it was a mistake, there
was an illustration of a cat in the space where the products were exhibited.
I don't know what is on sale.
Nevertheless, there are people who come to buy one after another.
When I asked what came out ...
"Sometimes good things come out, sometimes bad things come out."
"Sometimes soup powder comes out in the summer. Another 10 It's hot
and
humid on the day I interviewed, so I prayed that no soup powder would come out when I bought it ...
What came out was a Hyuganatsu-flavored drink in a 500 ml PET bottle.
Even so, why can you sell it for 10 yen?
When I asked Mr. Koji Kamasaka of the company that installed the vending machine ...
"I'm ready for a deficit."
After all, it seems that 10 yen will not make a profit.
But why are you still selling for 10 yen?
This company has about 500 vending machines for 50 to 100 yen in Kansai.
It is said that they may have a large amount of inventory when they purchase products that are close to the expiration date in order to offer them cheaply and the days when they do not sell well due to the weather continue.
The cost for disposal is said to be about 20 yen per bottle.
10 yen vending machine company Koji Kamasaka
"There are 1000 cases, 800 cases are likely to sell at a normal price with a vending machine, but 200 cases are likely to remain. When the expiration date expires. Disposal fee will be charged. If you think about it, wouldn't it be better to handle 200 cases for 10 yen? ”
Two 10-yen vending machines are installed next to the 50-yen and 100-yen vending machines.
It is said that it sold like a fly right after it started to be installed 10 years ago.
He said that even if a 10-yen vending machine is in the red, he would like to attract customers and use it as an opportunity to purchase at a cheap vending machine of 50 yen or 100 yen, which is his main business.
How do beverage makers see cheap vending machines?
Cheap vending machines are good for us, but what do the beverage makers who make the products see?
I asked Daido, which has its headquarters in Osaka.
Person in charge of Daido
"I'm glad that it sells at a fixed price. However, if you try to sell it at a supermarket, price competition is fierce and price collapse is likely to occur. On the other hand, vending machines have the advantage of earning stable profits."
Vending machines that appeal to people other than price
Vending machines account for 80% of Daido's sales, and we are advancing the sophistication and diversification of vending machines in order to appeal to people other than price.
For example, a vending machine with a face recognition function.
If you register your face in advance, you can buy drinks without having to carry coins and the price will be automatically deducted.
It was developed in response to a request from a person working at a food factory, "I can't bring my wallet, and it's troublesome to go to the changing room."
Also, stockings and disposable diapers are sold next to juice at the vending machines inside the Osaka Metro station.
Stockings may help for those who noticed that they were on the wire.
Not only drinks but also various things can be bought at vending machines.
Not only are vending machines in Osaka cheap, but a new vending machine culture may also be born.
This content will be announced in the NHK General Kansai News "Hot Kansai" from 6:00 pm on June 23.
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