John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) this week announced the addition of the first PopShop vending machine from PopCom, making it easier for Columbus-area entrepreneurs to sell their products in the airport and for travelers to discover local businesses they might not have seen otherwise.
This newest machine is PopCom’s first airport location, and joins PopShop vending machines in seven other cities across the U.S. To be eligible for a machine, brands and products must be based in one of the seven available markets or have a founder from the specified city.
The process and costs for area businesses are significantly reduced when using PopShop Local. Retailers pay a flat monthly fee to rent space in the robotic pop-up shop, and PopCom handles all of the paperwork, such as lease requirements, insurance, and inventory fulfillment.
“We believe we’re giving small businesses everywhere, especially e-commerce brands, an alternative solution to enter the brick and mortar retail space,” said Natasia Malaihollo, VP of business development for PopCom. “It’s less risky, less expensive, and overall more efficient to sell through PopShop Local than it is to open up a store of your own.”
The launch of PopShop Local CMH comes as travel demand remains strong, giving entrepreneurs the potential to reach millions of travelers each year.
