Image courtesy of FoodSpot.
FoodSpot, a Hayward, California based provider of an unattended «microstore» vending concept that launched in the U.S. market in January, has heralded its solution as «third wave» vending.
The microstore consists of a temperature controlled merchandiser that customers can access by using a payment device to open its door.
Customers use their payment device to unlock and open the merchandiser door, then select from the shelves and be charged after closing the door.
Brands and corporations can stream content on 3-by-2-foot LCD screens.
To load the machine, the operator places smart stickers on the product packages, then scans the items to load them onto the dashboard. The dashboards display real-time sales and expiration information across the machine fleet as well as remote hardware management.
FoodSpot considers the microstore concept «third wave» vending following the «second wave,» the micro markets that debuted in 2005.