Published • 23 Sep 2025
Think about how much time residents already spend in your building’s shared spaces. They pick up packages, meet friends in the lounge, or stop at the gym. Each of those moments is an opportunity to add value—not with another piece of furniture, but with something residents can use every day: quick access to food, drinks, and essentials without having to leave the property.
This is where a market or smart cooler stands apart from other amenities. It provides immediate convenience to residents while generating revenue that can cover its own costs. The model is flexible, too:
- Partner with an operator. They install and run the amenity, handling all the logistics. 365 can connect you to trusted operators who already serve apartment communities.
- Self-manage. If you’d rather keep it in-house, you can run the cooler or market yourself with tools like the 365 PicoCooler Vision or MM6 Mini Kiosk, which are designed for easy reporting and low-touch management.
Both approaches add measurable value to your community. The question is how involved you want to be.
Why space matters
Square footage is precious in multifamily buildings. Every inch of the lobby, package room, or amenity floor has to justify itself. That’s why it helps to know just how little space this amenity requires.
PicoCooler Vision: About 7 sq ft—roughly the same floor space as a loveseat.
Compact market setup: 20–40 sq ft, enough for a kiosk, shelves, and a cooler.
In practice, that means repurposing a corner of the package area, an alcove by the elevators, or a wall near the gym. You’re not building a store—you’re turning underused space into something residents see as a daily benefit.
Why power and cost aren’t deal breakers
It’s natural to ask what refrigeration will do to your utility bill. The answer: less than you think.
A 365 PicoCooler Vision is rated at 120V / 60Hz / single phase, 3.4 amps. That equals a maximum draw of about 0.4 kW. If it ran nonstop at full load, the monthly electricity cost would be about $40 at the U.S. commercial average of 13.63¢ per kWh (EIA, June 2025).
In practice, the compressor cycles on and off. Real-world use typically averages 30–50% of that load, which brings the monthly electricity cost closer to $12–$20.
Whether it’s $12, $20, or even $40, the impact on ROI is minimal. At scale, these costs are small compared to the sales potential of the amenity.
Why residents will actually buy
Adding a market or cooler only works if residents use it, and the data says they will. Apartment occupancy has remained high, with a 95.5% occupancy rate in July 2025 (RealPage). And residents are already spending on convenience: the average convenience store shopper makes 2.6 trips per week (NACS, 2023).
These trips are happening right now, just outside your building. By offering the same convenience inside the property, you capture a portion of that spend and create a perk that makes life easier for residents.
Why ROI is realistic
For property managers and owners, it’s not enough to know residents might use the amenity. You need to see the financial picture. Here’s what the numbers look like with a $6.50–$7.00 basket and 40% margin:
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100 units: $800–$1,700 in monthly sales → $320–$650 in gross profit
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250 units: $2,500–$5,600 in monthly sales → $960–$2,230 in gross profit
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400+ units: $4,800–$12,000 in monthly sales → $1,900–$4,800 in gross profit
Even after factoring in $12–$40 per cooler per month in electricity, the amenity pays for itself at every size.
Why placement drives success
A cooler or market can only perform if it’s visible in the right spot. Residents won’t go hunting for it, but they will buy when it’s directly on their path.
- Package lockers: Residents strongly prefer lockers for deliveries (Parcel Pending, 2024), making these areas high-traffic anchors.
- Fitness centers: Perfect for hydration and snacks.
- Pools and lounges: Strong weekend demand for beverages and quick bites.
Strategic placement ensures the amenity becomes part of the daily flow, not an afterthought.
Why concerns don’t hold you back
Community managers often raise the same two questions:
What about theft? PicoCooler Vision utilizes computer vision and a secure locking system. Residents tap to unlock, and items are automatically tracked and charged. Shrink is contained.
Will this add work for my team? If you self-manage, your team restocks with clear guidance from real-time reporting. If you don’t want the responsibility, partnering with an operator means the work never touches your staff.
Both paths remove the barriers that typically hold back new amenities.
The takeaway
Some amenities cost money every month. This one pays for itself. With modest space, a low power draw, and proven demand, a market or smart cooler delivers daily convenience to residents and a measurable financial return.
Whether you’d rather manage it yourself or work with an experienced operator, 365 Retail Markets has the technology and the network to make it happen. For residents, it’s everyday convenience. For you, it’s an amenity that strengthens satisfaction without straining the budget.