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sUnShInE · 06-16-2006, 11:03 AM

Soda? Check. Candy bar? Check. MP3 Player? Wha?!

Bob posted recently about the Zoom Shop vendy's. And you've probably heard about or remember McDonald's RedBox DVD dispensers. Well, now Sony's gotten into the game.

Sony is testing the waters by placing high-tech automated vending machines in 3 malls across the United States -- one each in Atlanta, Santa Rosa, and Boulder, CO, and they plan to increase that number to 10 by the end of 2006. The thinking here is that these machines are much cheaper to roll out and maintain than a fully-staffed store in a mall. In fact, they are being referred to as ‘robotic stores’.

The stores will offer 50 different items including PSPs, digital cameras, CD players, games and DVDs. While Japan is already home to gadget vending machines, it’s rare for a high-end consumer electronics brand such as Sony to sell its gizmos and gadgets in this way. However, the company expects the unusual sales tactic to work, due to a combination of well-placed machines and brand recognition.

It will be interesting to see how consumers react. Something tells me this would work better in an airport or a train station than in a mall.

Via AJC (subs req)

06-16-2006, 11:03 AM	#1
sUnShInE Drama Queen Posts: 784 Karma: 11712 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: United States Device: Palm Tungsten T\|T3	Sony Vending Machines Soda? Check. Candy bar? Check. MP3 Player? Wha?! Bob posted recently about the Zoom Shop vendy's. And you've probably heard about or remember McDonald's RedBox DVD dispensers. Well, now Sony's gotten into the game. Sony is testing the waters by placing high-tech automated vending machines in 3 malls across the United States -- one each in Atlanta, Santa Rosa, and Boulder, CO, and they plan to increase that number to 10 by the end of 2006. The thinking here is that these machines are much cheaper to roll out and maintain than a fully-staffed store in a mall. In fact, they are being referred to as ‘robotic stores’. The stores will offer 50 different items including PSPs, digital cameras, CD players, games and DVDs. While Japan is already home to gadget vending machines, it’s rare for a high-end consumer electronics brand such as Sony to sell its gizmos and gadgets in this way. However, the company expects the unusual sales tactic to work, due to a combination of well-placed machines and brand recognition. It will be interesting to see how consumers react. Something tells me this would work better in an airport or a train station than in a mall. Via AJC (subs req)