The Body Shop uses vending machines to sell products across US
The cosmetics franchise has signed an agreement with ZoomSystems, the company behind the ZoomShop automated kiosks, to sell its products in selected locations across the US.
Products will be sold in branded ZoomShops in airports and shopping centers as well as in grocery stores such as Kroger Marketplace and Stop & Shop, the first time that ZoomSystems’ vending machine technology has been used in the supermarket channel.
Touch screens allow consumers to select a product, which is then paid for by credit cards, with ZoomSystems’ technology ensuring that products are dispensed before a consumer’s account is charged.
ZoomShops are 7 feet wide and 7 feet tall, and are customized with signage, graphics and television and web content that corresponds to the brand being sold.
Convenient access to products
According to Al Montalvo, director of new sales and emerging channels for The Body Shop, ZoomShops tap into consumer demand for convenient, hassle-free shopping.
“More than ever, customers today want to access products on their own terms when and where they want to,” he said.
“For the Body Shop, it is an opportunity to meet their expectations in an innovative way,” he added.
Vending machines used by Coty and Sephora
The Body Shop joins beauty retailer Sephora and fragrance company Coty in selling its products through vending machines.
Last year, Sephora announced the testing of its products in selected JC Penney’s stores, where nearly 50 of its best selling make-up, skin care and fragrance products were made available for purchase through ZoomShops.
Earlier this year, fragrance manufacturer Coty installed vending machines in metro stations in Paris, France, on a temporary basis, in order to creating a marketing buzz around its new ck one format.
