Automated Retail Whats All The Buzz About?

Automated Retail Definition / Map

So what is automated retail?

Well if you google it, it seems ZoomSystems have coined the phrase and got the ranking to go with it.
However

The term vending is synonymous with your typical, box in the corner, dispensing little more than chocolate bars and soft drinks for a £1 a go. But take a step back for just one moment. Stick a 12-20" touch screen and increase the size of the channel and you've pretty much got the basis of an automated retail unit.

Most importantly Automated Retail is updating the image of vending. No more do you have to be infuriated by a pack jam, rather you will be offered a full refund,

The typical sequence of events are:

Attraction: The consumer is attracted to the store by advertising
Browsing: The consumer can browse through product finding out more about products in question, using a product selector and a touchscreen interface similar to any online shopping experience.
Payment: The consumer pays for their selected product using chip and pin technology, contact less payment, or a typical cash / note reader.
Dispensing: The unit dispensing the product via a method which ensures delivery or in the case of failure a full refund given and the operator alerted to the machines status.

Cigarette vending goes stealth

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Whilst checking out some of London's best known clubs & bars. Its worth dropping by the Supperclub. Poised at the end of a long corridor bathed under black light. Is a machine like no other. It seems Marlboro have been trying to up their image with a custom built Cigarette vending machine. Anybody wanting a breath of fresh air will have to head past the halo lit and slickly designed facade. I almost dare you to walk past and not want to play with it.