Yes. You can use lo:live to book spaces for vending machines, automated retail units, photo booths, and semi-permanent kiosks. Shopping centres, transit hubs, and retail units are highly effective environments for these types of automated, low-staffing activations.
However, installing physical retail hardware is subject to location provider approval, and shopping centres in particular have strict operational and visual standards.
1. Power and Connectivity Requirements
Automated units rely entirely on venue infrastructure. You must verify these details before booking:
Mains Power: Check the Utilities tab on the space page. Vending machines require constant, uninterrupted power. You may need to ask the location provider exactly where the floor boxes or wall sockets are situated relative to the bookable footprint to ensure you don't have trailing trip hazards.
Internet Connectivity: If your machine processes cashless payments or features interactive digital screens, it needs a reliable connection. Do not assume the venue's public Wi-Fi is sufficient. You may need to provide your own 4G/5G router or request a hardwired ethernet connection from the venue.
2. Logistics and Installation
Delivering a heavy, bulky vending machine into a busy shopping centre requires careful planning.
Out-of-Hours Access: Shopping centres almost universally require heavy installations to happen out of hours (typically between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM) so as not to disrupt daytime shoppers.
Restocking: If your activation runs for several weeks, you must agree on a restocking schedule. Providers usually dictate that stock replenishment must also happen outside of core trading hours.
3. Aesthetic and Design Standards
Premium shopping centres fiercely protect their visual environment. A standard, unbranded metal box is likely to be rejected.
Your kiosk or vending machine should be fully wrapped, professionally branded, and visually engaging.
Cable management must be impeccable. Exposed wiring is a major health and safety violation and looks unprofessional.
Have Questions or Need Help?
If you need to clarify power access or aesthetic guidelines, the best person to ask is the Location Provider (LP).
You can contact them directly using the lo:live messaging feature. Please note: You cannot message a Location Provider from the general Location Page. You must initiate the message from either the specific Space Page or from within your Campaign workspace.
If anything is still unclear, reach out to the lo:live team via email and we will gladly help:
Australia: gday@locationlive.com
UK & Europe: hello@locationlive.com