From Market Testing to a Long-Term Partnership
For businesses entering the unmanned retail industry, buying equipment is only part of the decision.
The bigger questions are often more practical:
Will customers actually use it? Is the equipment suitable for the local market? Can the business model work over the long term?
JET KILIF, a Turkish company in the phone accessories and retail sector, took this approach when exploring phone case vending.
In the first half of 2025, JET KILIF purchased one Kemore phone case vending machine for local market testing.
At the same time, the company also tested machines from other suppliers. Rather than making a decision based only on product specifications, JET KILIF wanted to compare how different machines performed in real operating conditions.
After around three months of testing, the company decided to establish a long-term partnership with Kemore.
Today, JET KILIF operates around 50 Kemore machines across Turkey, covering shopping malls, commercial streets, and other retail locations.
1. Why Did JET KILIF Start with Testing?
Real-World Operation Matters More Than Specifications Alone
For vending equipment, product specifications can provide useful information, but they do not tell the whole story.
For an operator, everyday performance matters just as much.
During the testing period, JET KILIF focused on several practical factors:
|
Evaluation Area |
What Was Tested |
|
Equipment stability |
Performance during continuous operation |
|
User experience |
Whether customers could complete the process easily |
|
Printing quality |
Quality and consistency of finished phone cases |
|
Operation and maintenance |
Convenience of daily management |
Testing the machines in real commercial environments allowed JET KILIF to better understand customer behavior and operating requirements.
The company could see how consumers responded to the concept, how the machines performed during daily use, and whether the business model had potential for further expansion.
After comparing different solutions, JET KILIF selected Kemore as its long-term equipment partner.
2. From One Test Machine to 50+: Expanding Across Turkey
After completing the initial testing stage, JET KILIF began expanding its machine network.
Today, approximately 50 Kemore phone case vending machines are operating across different commercial locations in Turkey.
The machines have been placed in locations including:
|
Location |
Type |
|
Kozzy Shopping Mall |
Shopping Mall |
|
MaviBahçe Shopping Mall |
Shopping Mall |
|
Metromall Shopping Mall |
Shopping Mall |
|
Next Level Shopping Mall |
Shopping Mall |
|
Anatolium Shopping Mall |
Shopping Mall |
|
Karanfil Street, Kızılay |
Commercial Area |
|
Bahçelievler 7th Street |
Commercial Area |
|
Petrol City Shopping Mall |
Shopping Mall |
|
Batman Park Shopping Mall |
Shopping Mall |
|
Mardin First Street |
Commercial Area |
These locations share several characteristics.
They attract regular foot traffic, have relatively long customer dwell times, and provide opportunities for interactive retail experiences.
That makes them a natural fit for phone case vending machines, where customers do more than simply purchase a ready-made product.
3. Why Are Phone Cases Becoming Popular in Unmanned Retail?
A Familiar Product with Ongoing Consumer Demand
Phone cases are already familiar to most smartphone users.
People buy them for protection, appearance, personal style, or simply to refresh the look of their phones.
Customers may purchase a new phone case when they:
-
Upgrade to a new smartphone;
-
Want a different design;
-
Follow a new trend;
-
Create a personalized gift;
-
Want to turn a photo or memory into a physical product.
This gives phone cases an advantage over many products with limited repeat-purchase potential.
Personalization Adds Another Layer of Value
A standard phone case is a simple accessory.
A customized phone case can be something more personal.
Customers can use:
-
Personal photos;
-
Favorite artwork;
-
Custom text;
-
Local cultural elements;
-
Travel memories.
This changes the shopping experience.
Instead of simply choosing a product from a shelf, customers can create something that is specific to them.
That is one reason DIY phone case printing machines are gaining attention as part of experience-driven retail.
4. How Does On-Demand Phone Case Printing Change the Retail Model?
Traditional phone case retail often requires operators to stock a wide range of products.
Different smartphone models, colors, and designs can quickly increase inventory complexity.
A phone case printing machine uses a different approach:
Customer selects a design → Machine prints the case → Customer receives the finished product
The two models can be compared simply:
|
Traditional Retail |
On-Demand Printing |
|
Requires inventory in advance |
Produces based on customer demand |
|
Higher inventory management pressure |
Less dependence on finished stock |
|
Product selection is relatively fixed |
Designs can be updated more easily |
|
Requires demand forecasting |
Content can be adjusted based on customer feedback |
For operators, this provides more flexibility when consumer preferences change.
5. Where Can Phone Case Vending Machines Work?
Shopping Malls
Shopping malls are one of the most obvious locations for this type of equipment.
Areas near:
-
Entertainment zones;
-
Cinemas;
-
Youth-oriented retail areas;
-
High-traffic corridors;
can provide opportunities for customers to discover and try the machines.
The printing process itself can become part of the shopping experience.
Tourist Attractions
Tourists often look for products that remind them of a particular destination.
A customized phone case can incorporate:
-
Local landmarks;
-
City designs;
-
Travel photos;
-
Regional cultural elements.
This makes the product more personal than a standard souvenir.
Youth-Oriented Commercial Areas
Universities, lifestyle centers, and trend-focused shopping districts can also be potential locations.
Younger consumers tend to be more familiar with:
-
Digital customization;
-
Creative products;
-
Self-service technology.
For this audience, the experience of creating the product can be just as important as the final phone case.
6. Kemore and JET KILIF: From Equipment Testing to Long-Term Cooperation
Kemore develops smart retail equipment and provides unmanned retail solutions for business partners in different markets.
Its product portfolio includes:
-
Phone Case Vending Machines;
-
DIY Phone Case Printing Machines;
-
Automatic Screen Protector Machines;
-
Self-Service Phone Case Vending Solutions.
JET KILIF's experience shows one practical way to approach a new vending business:
Test the market → Evaluate the equipment → Confirm the business model → Scale the operation
This approach allows businesses to understand actual market conditions before making larger investments.
For international operators, that kind of testing can be particularly useful when entering a new market.
Conclusion: Real-World Testing Can Be the Starting Point for Expansion
JET KILIF began its cooperation with Kemore by testing one machine in the Turkish market in the first half of 2025.
After approximately three months of real-world operation and comparison with other equipment suppliers, the company decided to continue working with Kemore.
The partnership has since expanded to approximately 50 machines across Turkey.
The case also highlights an important point about unmanned retail:
The machine itself is only one part of the business.
Long-term performance also depends on:
-
Choosing a product that customers want;
-
Finding suitable locations;
-
Understanding local consumer behavior;
-
Continuously improving the operation.
As personalized products and smart retail continue to develop, phone case vending machines offer one practical way for businesses to explore new retail experiences.
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