Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

REGIONAL BUSINESS REPORTS
Cincinnati
With the exception of music and games,
general coin machine business was a little
better, on the whole, than last month.
Lay·offs in heavy industries continue to
plague the operator.
Automatic music did not do as well as
last month. Some of this is attributable
to the advent of the outdoor weather, but
most of it is because of the j!;eneral eco·
nomic doldrums in which all business finds
itself marooned.
Garnes enjoyed business only as good
as that of the previous month. Tavern peo·
pIe, decrying the decline in patronage, got
some relief from shuffieboard and television
fans.
Shuffieboard play continues above the
average, although the placing of new equip-
ment has slowed down somewhat, accord-
ing to one distributor. This is only due,
he thinks, to the time of year, and does
not indicate a slackening of interest in the
game itself.
Several local, 'small tournaments have
been staged, but with no publicity. It is
not deemed wise at this time to start a
city-wide tourney, as publicity given the
game has not warranted such a move. It is
understood orne players are trying to in-
duce a newspaper to back a tournament
much in the same manner that bowling is
promoted.
The weather played right into the hands
of the soft drink vendors, as the thermom-
eter hovered at midsummer highs. Receipts
were up over last month in pleasing
amounts. There is no noticeable increase in
'rile New
• • •
cup machines in this area. Theater ven-
dors, however, noticed a drop in sales,
as show business felt the impact of the
weather, added to the already depressed
attendance.
Milk sales were affected somewhat by
lay-offs and some operators, if not all, had
to take notice of several cuts in retail milk
prices and reduced their vending price from
12 to 11 cents a pint.
But, in spite of lay-offs and weather,
coffee sales are remaining encouragingly
good, according to reports.
Candy did better than anticipated last
month. Operators are changing to summer
bars, which will now hold sway until
fall arrives.
Cigarettes took a seasonal spurt upward,
increasing revenues well over last month,
and keeping them about as good as last
year. The three leaders held their places,
with Philip Morris crowding them very
close. Many odd brands appearing on the
market are complicating things for the
vending machines, as the public shows a
tendency to shop around and try the come-
latelies at the expense of the old stand-bys.
Pop corn showed an expected decline
from the winter heights; some of the drop
is charged to theater attendance drop, but
most of it was seasonal and the situation
is described as normal and satisfactory.
Chewing gum sales remained off, doing
about the same as last month, and not as
good as last year. Selling at bargain prices
in the chains has whittled into this branch
of the vending machine business.
Nuts continued to show surprising firm-
ness, while records for the third month
made a poor showing, and manufacturers
"BUNTER"
Nets up to 75c of Every
Dollar You Take in!
HA real money-maker from the moment
you install it!" That's what operators
say about the new UHunter", But
that's not all. Look at these two fea·
tures. 1. No coin return. 2. No gum
dispensed unless the player wants it.
That's why many report a net of 75c
out of every 81 the "Hunter" takes in.
Can you beat that for a "Gold Mine"?
Order now through your jobber or write
for ill ustrated literature.
And Here's Another Winner!
Only $45.00
F.O.B. AURORA
BUSIIESS BAROMETER
JUNE
1949
CincinnatL _______ N
Columbus __________ A
Los Angeles. ____ .B
St. Louis ______________ N
Spokane ____________ N
Twin Cities ________ N
Wash., D. C. _______ A
B BAN
B N A A
B B N N
N N A A
N B A A
BAN
N B
A
+
All kids go lor Cum Balls. And they all go lor Charms_ So here
is a dispenser that gives them hoth for a single coin. This com·
bination. double-barreled machine keeps the money pouring in when
run-of-mine dispensers no longer attract attention. It's a winner
any time. anywhere. Big demand predicted, 80 order now for im-
mediate delivery,
.Others low as $10.55 in quantities. "Hot NuC', Nut and Ball Gum
Vendors Ic-Sc-2 for Ie. U. S. and Foreign Coins.
SILVER KING CORP.
622 Diversey Parkway
JULY, 1949
Chicago 14, Illinois
N
N
N
N
B
B
B N
N N N
B N A
B B N
N
N-NORMAl.
A-ABOVE NORMAL
B-BELOW NORMAl.
are inclined to blame this on television
occupying the pleasure time of the family
which used to be given over to playing
records.
Both outdoor and indoor arcade busi-
ness perked up with the beginning of the
summer resort season, and near-record at·
tendance because of the heat.
Voice-letter machines are gaining in pop·
ularity and rendering nice returns.
Scales did an increased take as folks
shed their heavier clothes.
The new main library proposes to install
vending machines so that readers may filJ
their fountain pens, at their own expense,
and not that of the taxpayer, as now. A
sound-proof room wherein a fellow can try
out his new records, is also in the plans.
Unemployment claims last month were
about 1300 more than in the previous
month, but about 2200 less than the Janu-
ary peak.
George Keith
Columbus
Retail sales volume in Columbus has
been pushed above last year's, a survey
recently showed here. The U. S. Depart-
ment of Commerce, after a survey of
Columbus retail business for the first four
months, said the total volume was up three
per cent over the same period in 1948.
Restaurant and bar business was up six
per cent in the four-month period this
year, the survey showed, which indicates
that coin machine owners had somewhat
of a break in this purchasing field.
In general, the health of local industries
is good. The coal "holiday"-one of John
L. Lewis' many impositions on industry
other than his own-has been the cau e
The New "CHARM KING"
Ball Gum
Charms = $ $ $
The Kids Really go for THIS one because it
DISPENSES BOTH GUM AND CHARMS
*Only $13.95 F.O.B. Aurora. III.
N
B
N
B
SOMETHING
NEW
TO INCREASE BULK
VENDING PROFITS
SOOcrO!
GET DETAILS TODAYI
OPERATORS VENDING
MACHINE SUPPLY CO.
1023·25 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, Calif.
29