Like Candy & Chips, now cell phones will be sold through vending machines.
People looking for mobile handsets and accessories can buy them from automated vending machines that are mostly used to sell packed food and other useful items. Motorola has unveiled a program in which it will sell its mobile phones through automated machines, which has been named as 'robotic stores' by the firm.
The machines will carry about 30 products with around 12 phones & 18 accessories initially, according to Bob Many of Motorola. Dubbed as 'Instantmoto', it will be seen in 20 malls & airports in US. Many said that the experiment would be expanded depending upon its success in initial phases.
"This looks pretty interesting. Selling mobile handsets & accessories through vending machines can really interest customers. Initially it may not be easy for people to spend so much money in buying through vending machines when they are used to buy only general & inexpensive goods from them," said an analyst at RNCOS.
Mid range to high range models can be bought from these machines including the Q & the Razr. These robotic stores are operated by San Francisco's Zoom Systems.
As per Jason Few, Motorola's vice-president for Global Retail, this innovation is a part of Motorola's continued effort to revive retail culture & transform the experience of customers. He termed this as an "interesting approach" in Motorola's retail strategy.
Unlike other vending machines, products are softly supplied to customers using a robotic arm. Like ATM, the machines will be operated from a central location.
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