Not Your Parents’ Vending Machine

Zoom Systems (San Francisco) is deploying the company's new automated retail stores in airports, hotels, malls and even grocery stores. The company network of 40-square-foot robotic stores are placed in heavily trafficked locations and are open 24 hours a day, allowing brands to place products, like digital music players, headphones, computer accessories and even cosmetics, directly in the path of consumers, creating a new experience and generating revenue opportunities where none existed before.

“Zoom Shops are not your parents' vending machine,” said Gower Smith, CEO and co-founder of Zoom Systems. “Unlike vending, we have developed the technology and intelligence to offer consumers the hottest products from $10 to $200 from the best brands. It's like shopping online, but consumers have the instant gratification of getting their product immediately.”

Zoom plans to build a network of 3000 robotic stores at high traffic locations over the next 24 months and expects its network to grow to 10,000 stores in the next five years.

The Shops are centrally networked, have a touch screen consumer interface and deliver product via a robotic arm. Customers can also view product information before they purchase.

Product assortments are customized to each channel and can offer up to 120 items in a secure, well-lit environment. For example, Zoom Shops in airports offer digital music players, headphones, pre-paid mobile phones, digital cameras and computer accessories. In hotels, the stores may carry personal electronics and computer accessories as well as medicines and personal care products. Additionally, Zoom can create customized concepts for location partners, such as home office products including ink cartridges and computer accessories, in grocery stores.

“Just as ATMs extended banking services to locations far beyond the teller window, Zoom is extending the retail experience to thousands of locations where transactions weren't possible before,” Smith said. “The possibilities for brand and location partners are limitless.”