Automated retail

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.[1]

A Best Buy Express vending machine by Zoom Systems at an airport terminal, stocked with electronics

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.[2]

These software integrations, the consumer experience and the delivery mechanisms are what differentiate automated retail stores from vending machine.

ZoomShops and Redbox are examples of companies that pursue an automated retail business model.[3]

The Source automated retail kiosk dispensing electronics at an airport

See also
Look up retail in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Notes
  1. The Body Shop deploying automated retail shops Archived August 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. RetailCustomerExperience.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
  2. Alyssa, Bary. (2005-10-24) Zoom Systems Offers iPod Vending Machines | News & Opinion. PCMag.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-15.
  3. Now available at vending machines: GPS, iPods, cameras ... Archived copy. sj-r.com. July 24, 2010
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