A popcorn vending-machine supplier is looking to increase its convenience store footprint, having launched in a Hemel Hempstead Londis.

Gibbs Group Vending Machine Services, also based in Hemel Hempstead, offers a unit that measures 47cm deep, 41cm wide and 162cm tall. It weighs 51kg when empty, has wheels for manoeuvrability, and requires a standard power supply to operate.

The machine offers one size cup of popcorn in sweet or salty flavours with a £3 RRP, with capacity to stock approximately 100 cups. Gibbs Group is offering retailers 90p from each cup sale, equivalent to 30% margin, in return for regular machine maintenance and restocking.

Shoppers pay for popcorn at the machine with either cash or card, which is then paid to a bank account of the retailer’s choice quarterly.

Gibbs Group cofounder Chloe Gibbs said: “There’s no commitment with training, what to do or how to do it. All they need to do is switch it on every day.

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“It’s fresh, hot, allergen-free, vegan-friendly and low-calorie, it’s got so many sales points.” The popcorn is heated with hot air, reducing the need for maintenance.

She added that there was no real limit to their expansion plans, as Gibbs Group is planning to hire more people to help with maintenance and restocking as retailer interest grows.

George Phillips of TJ’s Late Shop Londis in Hemel Hempstead is the first convenience retailer to stock one of the machines. “We’ve had it for coming up to two weeks. I’d say I’m averaging about 20 cups a day, it’s been a nice addition,” he said.

“The nice thing about it is it doesn’t take up too much space and is right at the front of the store. The initial agreement was for a monthly refill but [Chloe] has already had to refill it.”

Gibbs said she initially offered the machine at rugby clubs, but is now seeing increased interest from convenience stores after Phillips posted a video about the machine on his TikTok account. Hitesh Modi, from Londis BWS in nearby Chesham, confirmed he would be installing a machine in October.

She is also planning to offer a larger machine, which has a touchscreen and the ability to mix sweet and salty flavours.

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