Vending machines are no longer just a novelty in India, they are becoming a staple of modern retail. Driven by rapid urbanization, growing digital adoption, and rising investments in retail, the vending machine market in India is growing at an impressive CAGR of 14.9% (2020-26, as per 6Wresearch). With a staggering 6 million potential vending locations, the future looks promising.
Leading this revolution is Daalchini Technologies, a homegrown retail tech innovator. Since its inception, Daalchini has successfully rolled out over 2,500 smart vending machines in more than 80 cities across India. The company has been on a remarkable growth trajectory, recording a 123% CAGR over the last two years and expanding its retail footprint more than tenfold since the pandemic. Daalchini is not just keeping pace with global trends like AI & machine learning but setting new benchmarks for automated retail in India, utilizing ML & AI in vending machines.
About Daalchini
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Daalchini Technologies had fewer than 200 vending outlets across India. Today, the number has skyrocketed to over 2,300, reflecting the company’s rapid expansion.
These vending machines cater to a wide array of on-the-go needs, offering fresh snacks, beverages, beauty products, and everyday essentials. Daalchini has also introduced specialized wellness vending machines stocked with items like ,mouth fresheners, sanitary napkins, toilet sprays, and wet wipes. Additionally, their machines now serve niche categories, including stationery, books, OTT products, and industrial goods.
Strategically positioned in high-footfall areas like metro stations, malls, IT parks, and residential communities, Daalchini’s vending machines are designed to meet the needs of busy commuters, working professionals, students, and families.
Over the past three years, the company’s growth has been remarkable. Revenues jumped from ₹12 crore in FY22 to over ₹25 crore in FY23, reaching ₹42 crore in FY24. By the end of this fiscal year, Daalchini aims to surpass ₹100 crore in annual recurring revenue, solidifying its position as a leader in India’s automated retail space.
The remarkable growth of Daalchini Technologies can be attributed to several key factors, including its expansion to over 70 cities, continuous product innovation driven by customer feedback, and a strong operational strategy that leverages real-time data insights.
Since January this year, the company’s core food and beverage division has been EBITDA-positive, maintaining a margin of 1-4%. While Daalchini faced a slight loss in the previous financial year, it has achieved consistent EBITDA-positive performance throughout the current fiscal year.
Vending Machine Price List in India
Daalchini’s Innovative Approach: AI in Vending Machines
Daalchini’s smart vending kiosks are equipped with advanced technology including AI to collect valuable data on customer preferences, purchase patterns, and peak buying times. This data driven approach allows the company to make informed decisions about product assortments, pricing, and inventory replenishment.
By optimizing inventory management and staying attuned to demand shifts and seasonal trends, Daalchini ensures that each vending point caters efficiently to hyperlocal needs. This not only improves stock availability but also enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty.
AI driven retail plays a crucial role in Daalchini’s growth strategy. The company has focused on integrating AI models to maximize the efficiency of vending machines, ensuring that the right products are available in compact six-square-foot spaces. Additionally, Daalchini leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) for remote monitoring and real-time restocking updates, ensuring uninterrupted supply and a seamless customer experience.
One of its standout innovations is the proprietary OFT (Order for Tomorrow) engine, designed to predict the ideal quantity of fresh meals required for daily restocking in each vending machine. By analyzing historical sales data and consumption patterns, OFT significantly reduces food wastage and ensures optimal stock levels.
Complementing this is Daalchini’s consumer app, which uses AI to analyze customer behavior, search history, and past purchases. This helps the company recommend products that align with individual tastes and preferences, offering a personalized shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.
What Daalchini Brings to the Table
Daalchini’s vending machines are far from traditional. They are cashless, app-based, and contactless, offering a seamless and hassle-free experience for users. Daalchini utilizes machine learning and AI in its vending machines.
Supported by a robust technology platform, these machines accept multiple payment methods, including UPI, mobile wallets, and card payments, making transactions quick and convenient.
Approximately 80% of Daalchini’s machines provide six diverse meal varieties such as early breakfast, mid-day snacks, midnight snacks, salads, and desserts. These meals are sourced through partnerships with local businesses and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, ensuring quality and variety.
The company’s advanced system prioritizes food safety by automatically deactivating items nearing their expiration date, preventing the sale of expired products.
To further enhance security, all vending machines are monitored through CCTV surveillance. Daalchini also utilizes machine learning to streamline its supply chain.
Collaborating with over 40 leading D2C brands like Marico, Amul, Nestle, Britannia, HUL, and ITC, Daalchini serves an impressive clientele of 500 organizations. These include prominent names such as MAX Hospitals, The Times of India, Fortis, EY, NITI Aayog, Paytm, Dell, and Gaana.
While competitors are also in the market, Daalchini stands out by catering specifically to the unique demands of Indian consumers. Its localized approach allows for highly customizable product assortments tailored to the preferences of each location.
The company is now expanding its reach to Tier II and III cities, targeting areas with a significant working population. Recent orders have come from regions like Sambalpur, Kutch and Jharsuguda with installations in large manufacturing plants, offices, and industrial sites. Once operational, these machines are either managed directly by Daalchini or through its franchise partners.
Daalchini’s Business Models
Daalchini operates on two primary business models, they are as followed-
In the rental model, the company rents vending machines to clients and takes care of all operational responsibilities, including daily refills, supply management, customer support, maintenance and overall oversight.
The second model is the franchise model, where Daalchini sells the vending machine to a partner, who then handles the machine’s operations.
Currently, over 95% of Daalchini’s vending machines are owned by partners, while the company provides the necessary technology and supply chain support to ensure smooth operations.
Daalchini’s Revenue Strategies
A significant portion of Daalchini’s revenue comes from the products sold through its vending machines, contributing 40% to the overall topline.
The company earns a margin of 12% to 45% on the products it sells. Additionally, Daalchini generates revenue through advertising partnerships. Brands pay a listing fee to feature their products in Daalchini’s vending machines, which accounts for 5% of the company’s revenue. Another major revenue stream is from subscriptions, where Daalchini charges a monthly rental fee for machines installed at locations like offices, colleges, factories, hotels, and hospitals contributing 40% of the revenue.
Daalchini also capitalizes on digital advertising, earning from ads displayed on its vending machine screens and mobile app. Physical advertising spaces are available as well, which together make up 15% of the company’s revenue.
Over the next 12-18 months, Daalchini plans to expand its network of smart retail outlets from 1,600 to more than 5,000 locations.
Although there are no immediate funding plans, the company has already raised over ₹55 crore, including a $4 million Series A round in 2022 led by Unicorn India Ventures and supported by investors like VSS Investco (the investment arm of Vijay Shekhar Sharma, CEO of Paytm) and Artha Venture Fund, Ajay Kaul (former CEO of Domino’s India).
Looking ahead, Daalchini envisions a future where its autonomous smart stores and vending machines are present every 500 meters in livable spaces across India. The company aims to expand its presence in smaller towns and remote areas, making its products more accessible.
In addition to vending machines, Daalchini is exploring micro-market setups and fully automated kiosks to broaden its retail footprint and product offerings.
Afterword
Daalchini’s innovative approach through the usage of AI in vending machines and retail technology is transforming how consumers access products in India. By integrating AI and machine learning, the company is not only optimizing convenience but also catering to the unique needs of local markets. As Daalchini continues to expand its footprint across cities and towns, its vision of creating accessible, smart retail solutions is becoming a reality. With a strong focus on innovation, Daalchini is poised to lead the next wave of retail in India.