übervending movement

It looks like somebody is paying attention to übervending movement...and stocked full of must-have beauty sundries... it couldn't be more fantastic. Following the uptrend of vending machine shopping, The Studio at Fred Segal is introducing Utique,

a slick new shopping portal that will allow you to shop in a whole new way.

Übervending is nothing new, at least not for the rest of the shopping obsessed world. In hip urban centers all over Asia, Europe and South America, vending machines offer consumer-centric vehicles for the purchase of everything your heart desires, form practical needs, umbrellas...snacks... to well, pretty much anything.. from flowers to Ipods to whiskey to Levis to uh.... defibrillators?

The US is slowly following suit, but this consumer trend is one to watch. Brands take notice. Not only are you empowering the user, but also creating brand awareness for passers by. There is a reason we throw a cute, completely unnecessary lip-gloss, mini-drive, superglue in our basket while waiting in line... its called point of purchase and it is powerful. Take that and line the street with it and the possibilities are limitless.

This isn't your old, coin welding, often broken, chips stuck half way machine... these portals are hi-tech, gorgeous and informative. Instead of a pestering sales rep, you push a button and learn about your product before purchase (again, ad possibilities galore)

even get samples. Traditional retail needs a good shaking up, and this is it.... Understanding the end user and customizing the experience is key. Good things are coming out of this trend. LIke gelcomm's "just milk it" project,

food and beverage companies are using this new strategy to give school kids healthy alternatives to junk food filled machines. YoNaturals Inc...., creator of the Healthy Vending Program, is rapidly expanding their nationwide distribution of healthy vending machines in schools, offering custom-designed food menus depending upon location, whether kids are more into organic milk, pita chips or protein bars.

Regardless of whether you are offering super trendy fashion pieces, entertainment...look-out Blockbuster

or "make your own" fresh pizzas or cars, yes cars,

übervending is one to watch.