I assume the markup is there to recover the costs of running hundreds of separate points of sale and storage and a convoluted payment process and slow and expen

I assume the markup is there to recover the costs of running hundreds of separate points of sale and storage and a convoluted payment process and slow and expensive restocking. Dropping the price probably leads to higher restocking costs for the same amount of revenue. I assume someone has done the numbers on this, hotel operators are not stupid. Perhaps drone-delivered items from a central menu (I'm thinking a roomba-like device) or having the automated system that released the stock using a mobile app might work - something with near-field communication like they are doing for door lock systems. Or more comprehensive vending machines on each floor. I suspect the issue is shrinkage through theft and expiring items that is the main problem, and that is difficult to work around and still provide in-room purchases.