Wacky Vending Machines
Previous-
Vending Machines of the World
Junk food and soda are oh-so yesterday. Now machines dispense everything from umbrellas in Japan to bread in the Netherlands and prepaid electricity in Africa.
Next: Hot Food MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
SANGRAAL AIKEN/Bloomberg News
The Automat
In the mood for a chicken potpie? If you're in New York, find your closest BAMN! automat, a retro self-serve store where you insert a few coins in exchange for a hot meal such as macaroni and cheese. Automats are making a comeback after being sidelined for years by fast food restaurants.
Next: Umbrella MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Doug Mann/www.photomann.com
Umbrella Stands
In Japan, where space is particularly scarce, unusual vending machines have flourished for decades, particularly during the 1990s boom when labor costs soared. This umbrella vending machine is near Tokyo Dome, a Japanese baseball stadium. Customers pay extra for the convenience: The umbrellas sold through the machine are more expensive than the traditional store variety.
Next: Flower MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Doug Mann/www.photomann.com
Flower Power
Vending machines are often installed in the path of commuters, who may be trying to kill time and could likely buy gifts as peace offerings to excuse any tardiness. This flower vending machine is in a Tokyo train station.
Next: Dough MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Rogier van der Weijden
Dough Machine
Throughout Europe, fresh-food vending machines are used to sell edibles after regular store hours. Here, bread is dispensed in the city of Delden in the Netherlands.
Next: Commodity MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
NAASHON ZALK/Bloomberg News
Commodity Vending
Vending machines are also used to sell commodities such as phone cards in Brazil or electricity in Africa. Here, in a township north of Johannesburg, South Africa, women buy prepaid electricity.
Next: Beauty MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Douglas C. Pizac, AP
Beauty and the Machine
Elizabeth Arden has tested automated shops in 10 California malls and at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. A "virtual beauty consultant" helps customers select the best products for their skin type. Automated machines allow Elizabeth Arden to sell its best-selling creams and products in malls where the company no longer has its own stores or counters within department stores.
Next: Perfume MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Robert Sullivan, Getty Images
Scent of a New Machine
Coty Star Scents tested machines offer customers sample squirts of perfume and cologne before they make a purchase. The company is hoping to lure young customers who do not necessarily spend time in department stores or duty-free shops. Its most telling finding so far: The best sellers are male fragrances from vending machines in airports.
Next: Book MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
AFP/Getty Images
Books on the Go
Maxi-Livres automats offer 25 titles at 2 euros a piece, under categories such as the classics, gastronomy and dictionaries. The vending service started up in 1978, buying up publishers' stocks of surplus books for its popular bookstores.
Next: DVD MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
AP
You Want a DVD With That?
Want to rent a DVD and eat fast food at the same time? Look for Redbox kiosks in McDonald's restaurants, as well as Smith's Food & Drug Stores, Giant and Stop & Shop.
Next: Celebrity MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Getty Images
Celebrity Vending
Celebrity endorsements have reached a new level. Your favorite stars not only grace magazine covers and television screens, but are now featured on vending machines as well.
Next: Nude MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Jung Yeon-Je, AFP/Getty Images
Nude Vending Machines
"Nude" vending machines are a popular advertising gimmick in South Korea. The model inhabiting the machines hands out drinks once the buyer has paid. She is not quite nude, but is painted with the company’s logo.
Next: Wireless BuyingMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Rogelio V. Solis, AP
Wireless Buying
Japanese communication company, NTT DoCoMo provides mobile phones with both credit card and prepaid services which customers can use to shop without carrying their actual wallet. NTT DoCoMo has 12 million customers using mobile phones with wallet functions, which can be used at some vending machines.
Next: Camera MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Eastman Kodak Co./AP
Say Cheese!
Photography icon Eastman Kodak Co. is teaming up with Maytag Corp. to roll out thousands of camera-and-film vending machines over the next three years. They aim to satisfy instant cravings for a must-have snapshot in away-from-home places like a beach, park or ski resort.
Next: Cigarette MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Elise Amendola, AP
Goodbye Cigarette Machines?
Philip Morris USA, the nation's No. 1 tobacco company, offered to support a ban on cigarette vending machines and curbs on advertising, Wednesday, if the FDA backs off on any attempt to regulate cigarettes.
Next: Healthy MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
AP
Healthy Choice
Looking for a healthy alternative to the usual potato chips and candy bars? Vending machine customers can now choose from better-for-you foods, snacks and drinks that complement their wellness lifestyles.
Next: Erotic MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
AFP/Getty Images
Erotic Machine
Since February 25, 2008, it has been possible to buy sex toys out of a vending machine in the Dutch town of Tilburg. The machine is hangs on a wall outside a bar, and is the first sex articles vending machine in the Netherlands.
Next: Political MachineMore From BusinessWeek:
-
Lluis Gene, AFP/Getty Images
Political Machine
As part of the "1 Hundred Days. 1 Million Faces. 1 Message" campaign, Amnesty International displayed toy guns in vending machines to encourage the public to support the end of the illegal arms trade worldwide.
Next: More From BusinessWeekMore From BusinessWeek:
-
More From BusinessWeek:
Japan's Wacky World of Soft Drinks
The Best Freebies on the Web
The World's Most Amazing Concert Halls
Gadgets to Watch in 2008
Next: Top Franchises 2008More Small Business:
-
Looking for a Winner?
Don't make a move until you check Entrepreneur magazine's yearly list of top franchises, The Franchise 500. This year there's a new number. Click through this gallery to find out which franchise made it to the top.
Best Franchises of 2008
Next: Fastest-Growing FranchisesMore Small Business:
-
AP/AOL
In a Hurry?
If you're in a hurry to be your own boss and make it big, then one of 2008's top 10 fastest-growing franchises -- offering everything from tax prep to sandwich prep -- are worth your consideration.
Fastest Growing Franchises
Next: More From Small BusinessMore Small Business:
-
More From Small Business:
Best Low-Cost Franchises
Most Expensive Web Addresses
Find the Best Location
More From BusinessWeek:
The Best Freebies on the Web
The World's Most Amazing Concert Halls
Gadgets to Watch in '08More Small Business:
SMALL BUSINESS
- Start a Business
- Small Business Marketing
- Business Management
- Small Business
Finance - Business Auto Center
- Business Resources
- Networking
- Mobile
INVESTING
BUSINESS NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE AT WALLETPOP
Recent Comments
Corene791 06:41:19 PM Jun 28 2009
Again with this non-news? Come on, AOL. Do you have anyone working for you??
jennyjtown 08:43:37 PM Jun 19 2009
Next they will have TickleMe Plants in a vending machine. The TickleMe Plant is the REAL Plant that MOVES when you Tickle It! The leaves instantly fold and even the branches droop when Tickled. Just search THE TickleMe Plant to grow your own interactive plant that few have ever heard of. Use coupon code PLANT for a $2.00 discount
zanamu 03:18:55 PM Jun 18 2009
Not a lot of research went into this article. The very first automat mentioned (Bamn!), has already gone out of business.AOL, why has your news become so sloppy, Enquiresque, dated and redundant?
mitiz69 06:57:01 PM Aug 14 2008
not here in tenn we got all soda and snack food in machine here and they are priced to high they got no sales
ccgifts3 06:19:18 PM Aug 14 2008
snackbusters, My computer doesnt have a slot for a quarter so I can't help you.
snackbusters 12:27:59 AM Jun 27 2008
HI I HAVE A SNACK COUPANY CALLED SNACKBUSTERS AND A WEB SITE CALLED snackbusters.com I NEED HEIP ON SALES CAN YOU DO ANYTHING FOR ME LET ME NOW 401-722-4007 CELL 401-556-3197 CALL CELL EMAIL ME AT snackbusters@cox.net OK THANK YOU
Tech Travel Tips
Stay Connected
Just because you're on the road doesn't mean you have to be off the grid. Take a look at travel tech that keeps you on the go and in touch.
Top Mobile Technologies
Best Franchises 2008
If you're shopping for a franchise opportunity, check out the latest from Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500.
Small Business Coaches
Meet AOL's small business and career coaches! Success experts like Brian Tracy and Tom Peters will help you increase sales, get motivated, and build a better business.
