We’ve all been there: staring at a $5 bottle of water or an $8 bag of trail mix in a hotel lobby, airport terminal, or stadium – wondering, “How can this cost so much?”
The short answer? You’re not just paying for the product – you’re paying for the convenience. And when you break down the true cost of getting that snack within arm’s reach, the price tag starts to make sense.
Convenience Has a Real Supply Chain
Whether you’re in a hotel, airport, or stadium, products don’t magically appear on shelves. Getting them there takes:
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Specialized delivery – often in small batches, on tight schedules, sometimes during off-hours
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Labor to stock, rotate and merchandise the inventory regularly
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Compliance with access and security protocols
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Higher spoilage risks, especially for fresh or premium items
Unlike big-box retailers that move truckloads of product daily, these environments run on lower volume and tighter logistics – which increases per-unit costs.
Real Estate Isn’t Cheap
Commercial rent in high-traffic environments can be 10–20x higher than your local supermarket or convenience store. That cost is passed along – not to gouge, but to stay operational.
Add to that:
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Small-format retail spaces
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Limited back stock storage
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Utilities, maintenance, and service
Suddenly, that snack has a lot more behind it than just a price tag.
Low Volume = Higher Margin Per Item
Retailers at airports, hotels, and stadiums can’t rely on massive foot traffic like a grocery store can. That means each item needs to generate more revenue to cover overhead – from packaging waste to unsold items nearing expiration.
GrabScanGo’s Model: Built for the Hotel Lobby
At GrabScanGo, we specialize in self-checkout lobby markets for hotels. We don’t run airport shops or stadium stands – but the same economics apply.
Here’s how we deliver convenience without creating work for hotel staff:
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No labor for the hotel – Guests check themselves out using GrabScanGo’s app or kiosk
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Professional stocking & delivery – We handle all the logistics, so the hotel doesn’t have to
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Curated, rotating selection – Guests get the right mix of snacks, drinks, and essentials
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Open 24/7 – No staffing needed, no lost sales due to closed hours
So while that $5 snack might not cost what it does at a warehouse club – it’s available when the guest wants it, just a few feet away. And that convenience drives both guest satisfaction and incremental revenue for the hotel.
Convenience Isn’t Cheap – But It Is Valuable
Consumers choose convenience every day. They’ll pay a premium to avoid leaving the building, driving to a store, or waiting in line. Whether they’re traveling for work or vacation, having what they need at the right time and place is a win.
With GrabScanGo, hotels can deliver that experience – without lifting a finger.
Ready to Bring Smart Convenience to Your Hotel?
Turn underused lobby space into a revenue-generating, guest-delighting self-checkout market.
No cost. No labor. No hassle.
