Business Is 'Booming' For Vending Machines Selling Sausages In Germany

You might not see the need for it, but apparently the business of sausage vending machines is booming.

Where, you ask? Why Germany, of course!

Yes, apparently ravenous Germans are getting a hankering for some delicious meat tubes, and are using vending machines full of bratwurst - and other types of sausage and meat - to satisfy that craving.

According to a survey conducted by the German Press Agency, the machines are doing a roaring trade outside of the major cities where shops are less likely to remain open at unusual hours.

A spokesperson for the industry - it really is big business over there - Heike Richter said: "There is a strong development towards the vending machine, which is used to deliver meat, milk, eggs and other products to customers outside of core opening times."

Some of the machines, which are ordinarily found outside butchers' shops, carry a few different varieties of sausage and even provide customers with a small serving of potato salad to go along with it.

What more do you want, eh?

Other machines also allow customers to purchase vegetables, fruit, butter, milk and other essentials.

That makes them extra handy if you find yourself in a tight spot and need a really important ingredient in the dead of night, or on a Sunday when shops might not be open.

You have to hand it to them, it's a pretty great idea.

So far, there's more than 570,000 of the vending machines in Germany. Don't be fooled, though, they're not intended to replace actual shops and shop workers.

They're just meant to catch the fallout when shops can't open, or where shops aren't otherwise viable.

Wolfgang Kampmeier of the Berlin-Brandenburg trade association told newspaper Berliner Zeitung: "Vending machines will play a complementary role in brick-and-mortar retailing."

You'd have to admit, it's a damn sight better than only being able to get a Twix and a can of Fanta from the vending machine at your local swimming baths.

However, even those efficient and ingenious Germans haven't mastered the vending machine quite like the people of Japan.

Over in Japan they've long been associated with vending machines and - more often than not - some pretty unusual uses for them.

It's been well documented that you can buy underwear from vending machines over there, and this is true. However, they're also used for a whole heap of other stuff.

Of course, you can still get the can of Fanta, but what about some saké? Or seafood?

All possible.

Here in the UK we really need to upgrade our vending machine game.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Food, World News, Technology, Weird

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a freelance journalist and LADbible contributor. He graduated from University of London with a BA in Philosophy before studying for a Masters in Journalism at the University of Salford. He has previously written for the M.E.N Group as well as working for several top professional sports clubs. Contact him on [email protected]

@TPWagwim