Automated retail is the category of self-service, standalone kiosks that operate as fully automatic retail stores through the use of software integrations to replace the traditional retail services inside in a traditional retail store. These standalone kiosks are often located in heavily trafficked locations such as airports, malls, resorts and transit hubs.
Consumers often browse and select products using a touchscreen interface that operates similar to an ecommerce website, pay for purchases using a credit or debit card, and then the product is dispensed through a system other than gravity fed drop systems, often via a robotic arm inside the kiosk.
These software integrations, the consumer experience and the delivery mechanisms are what differentiate automated retail stores from vending machines.
ZoomShops and Redbox were examples of companies that pursue an automated retail business model.
See also
- Automat
- Automated convenience store
- Automated restaurant
- Automated teller machine (ATM)
- Business process automation
- Cashierless store
- Self checkout
- Types of retail outlets
- Vending machine
Notes
- The Body Shop deploying automated retail shops Archived August 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. RetailCustomerExperience.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
- Alyssa, Bary. (2005-10-24) Zoom Systems Offers iPod Vending Machines | News & Opinion. PCMag.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
- Now available at vending machines: GPS, iPods, cameras ... Archived copy. sj-r.com. July 24, 2010
External links
Media related to Automated retail machines at Wikimedia Commons
