The Co-op has teamed up with Unilever to launch what is claimed to be the UK’s first consumer-facing smart vending machine for ice cream.
The interactive ‘Walls’ branded machine in the Co-op’s Battersea Bridge Road store in London stocks a range of ices, including the retailer’s own Fairtrade Choc Stick alongside Unilever-owned brands such as Magnum Vegan Stick, Walls Twister, Solero Exotic Lolly, Calippo, and Ben & Jerry’s Peace Pop.
By tapping their phone on the NFC tag on the vending machine shoppers are asked to confirm their payment method, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Once confirmed, the freezer door unlocks to allow the customer to select their favourite ice cream, with a combination of cameras and sensors ensuring the machine charges customers for only the products they have picked.
Rebecca Oliver-Mooney, Co-op’s Head of Category for Dairy & Frozen, said: “We continue to explore innovative ways to provide access to our products quickly, easily and more conveniently helping to delight and inspire our shoppers. With warmer, summer months now just around the corner we are delighted to team up with Unilever to bring this smart vending machine to our store for shoppers to pop in for ices.”
The retailer is planning to roll out more than 20 of the machines in selected stores and at outdoor events over the coming months.
Neil Mirtle, Unilever Customer Business Manager, commented: “We are delighted to see the Walls Smart Vending Machine go live in Co-op. Collaborating on this project started with the goal of making ice cream more accessible for shoppers and then testing and learning at pace. We look forward to partnering with Co-op on the further rollout”.
NAM Implications:
- Anticipate a fast roll-out to speed up socially distanced traffic.
- i.e. Just suppose the full Co-op estate?
