NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Retailers attending NACStech 2007 learned more about how automated retail applications are changing today’s convenience retail landscape during the session, "Automated Retail Applications: Convenience Retailing for the Future."

Although not a new concept, self-service is evolving from ATMs, carwashes and pay-at-the-pump dispensers to automated retail kiosks and vending machines that can play a significant role in how retailers bring convenience to consumers. Overseas and in the United States, automated retail sites on street corners, hotels and airports are offering everything from iPods to cellular phones, as well as products prone to in-store shrinkage. 

Jim Phelps, CEO of CompuShop Services LLC, shared footage of automated store in River Centre Saint Paul that allows consumers to navigate products and merchandise from beverages, candy, clothing and snacks with ease by using a touch screen. Noting that more consumers are demanding to “do it myself,” Phelps suggested that the future of automated retail will satisfy consumers’ 24/7 needs, save on labor costs, reduce lines at checkout and advance foodservice ordering and delivery technologies.

Jeff Kline, president and CEO of Island Vending Magic LLC, noted that above all that automated retail has to offer, number one is meeting customer expectations by learning more about how a customer wants to interact with the devices and what’s going to be meaningful to them. He mentioned that integration is often a sticking point that keeps automated applications from taking off, as companies make advances the communication link between point-of-sale technologies to the kiosk devices.

The speed at which retailers can expect to see automated retail become more mainstream at the fueling station will largely depend on consumers, said Kline, adding that consumer adoption rates of new technologies are growing faster than in years past.

“Automated retail is starting to prove itself,” said Kline, noting that once consumer needs are met, the convenience retail concept will take off.