small-town store, real big results
Nestled in the heart of Maple Grove, a charming small town where everyone knew each other by name, stood a family-run grocery store, The Market, that had served the community for over 30 years. While the store had loyal customers, it faced the same challenge as many small businesses: how to compete with larger chain stores while staying profitable.
That all changed when The Market introduced Showbinz, a smart trash can with a digital screen, near its entrance.
A Simple Addition with Big Benefits
When store owner Sarah Martinez first heard about Showbinz, she was intrigued but skeptical. A trash can with a screen? Could that really make a difference? But after learning that the screen could showcase advertisements—including her own store’s promotions—and that she’d get paid simply for maintaining the bin, she decided to give it a shot.
Within the first week, she began noticing surprising benefits.
Showcasing Products & Driving Sales Automatically
The Market often carried seasonal and locally sourced products that customers didn’t always notice. The beauty of Showbinz was that it could automatically display ads for products already sold in the store—without Sarah needing to manually upload them.
Using a smart program, Showbinz pulled promotional content from major brands that The Market stocked. This meant that:
When a new brand of cereal hit the shelves, an ad for it appeared on Showbinz.
A special deal on organic milk was highlighted without Sarah having to set it up.
Customers saw engaging videos for popular snacks, drinks, and household items, making them more likely to add them to their carts.
“I don’t have to spend time figuring out what to advertise—it’s done for me,” Sarah said. “And since it’s all products we already sell, it helps push sales without any extra work.”
Making Money While Taking Out the Trash
What really made Showbinz a game-changer for The Market was the passive income it generated. The store got paid every month just for running the ads on the screen.
The best part? Sarah and her employees only had to empty the trash once a day—something they were already doing.
“This is the easiest money we’ve ever made,” she said with a grin. “We’re literally getting paid just for having a trash can.”
A More Modern Feel That Customers Loved
Beyond the financial perks, Showbinz gave The Market a modern, high-tech feel. Customers loved the sleek addition, and many commented that it made the store feel more up-to-date compared to the larger grocery chains in the area.
Even younger shoppers—who typically gravitated toward big-brand stores—appreciated the dynamic content and digital promotions. It became a conversation starter, bringing in new customers who were curious about what was being advertised that week.
Other Unexpected Perks
Cleaner Storefront – With a smart trash can right at the entrance, litter around the store dramatically decreased, keeping the front of the store more inviting.
Engaged Customers – Showbinz kept customers informed about store promotions, sales, and featured products without the need for traditional flyers.
No Extra Effort Required – Since the ads were chosen and displayed automatically based on store inventory, Sarah didn’t have to spend time updating or managing the content.
A Win-Win for Small Business
After a few months, the results were undeniable. Not only was The Market selling more products, but the store was also making easy extra money from the ads, all while maintaining a clean and welcoming entrance.
What started as a simple trash can with a screen had become a key part of their business strategy.
“Honestly, I wish we’d done this sooner,” Sarah said. “Showbinz turned something as basic as a trash can into a money-making, customer-engaging tool, and that’s the kind of smart business move every small store could use.”
For small-town stores looking to grow without major investments, Showbinz is proof that even the simplest innovations can make a big impact.
-If you’d like to get started as well, click the Order Now button at the top right of this page to get started.
