Alcohol and Tobacco Vending Machines Appear
24-Hour Sale of Meat Products
Laundry Detergent Refill Vending Machines Too
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The distribution industry is paying attention to vending machines in line with the non-face-to-face trend. As adult verification can be easily done via smartphones, liquor and cigarette vending machines have reappeared, and unmanned convenience stores have installed vending machines that sell meat products 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
On the 10th, GS25 announced that it will pilot unmanned liquor vending machines starting at the end of this month. Liquor vending machines have been allowed to be installed in general restaurants since the end of last year through the regulatory sandbox system (a system that exempts existing regulations for a certain period when launching new products or services). The liquor vending machines introduced by GS25, developed by PhaseComm, operate by scanning a QR code issued after adult verification via a mobile app. GS25 plans to prioritize the introduction of liquor vending machines in unmanned stores once related laws are revised.
Seven Eleven’s eight Signature smart convenience stores have cigarette vending machines. These operate by verifying adults through HandPay (a payment system using hand vein recognition) before sales. Ministop has introduced meat vending machines. The meat vending machines operated by the fresh food platform Fresh Store have been installed in Ministop stores. Targeting the main customer base of convenience stores, which are one- to two-person households, the products are packaged in small portions and sell various cuts such as pork neck and pork belly in refrigerated and frozen forms.
Emart24 is piloting used goods vending machines (Parabox) in 18 stores in partnership with the non-face-to-face secondhand trading service provider Parabara. After uploading items to sell on the Parabara app and receiving three or more hearts from other users, sellers can place their items in the nearest Parabox for sale. Buyers can visit the store where the item is displayed, check it in person, and if satisfied, pay by credit or debit card and take the item.
Vending machines combined with eco-friendly consumption trends have also appeared. Since last year, Emart has been operating the ‘Eco Refill Station,’ a detergent and fabric softener refill vending machine, in nine stores. The Eco Refill Station is very popular, with about 2,300 monthly users at an affordable price. Emart plans to open two more Eco Refill Stations in stores during the first half of this year.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
