Travel concessions group Hudson announced an automated retail concept that will sell branded goods through vending machines, according to a press release.
The automated retail concept aims to create a contactless, 24/7 retailing destination that’s all about putting the right products in the right places, Hudson said.
The company, which runs about 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs, landmarks and tourist destinations throughout North America, said it is partnering with global and local brands local brands to offer a diverse selection.
Hudson’s first vending machines were placed at Myrtle Beach International Airport on March 26 and will continue to roll out throughout the year. The company place machines at Chicago Midway International Airport and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport next.
Hudson’s vending machines are wrapped with bright lighting and ADA-compliant. They will be clustered in groups of two or more units in freestanding locations along a concourse or, in some instances, built directly into a Hudson storefront.
Next to the machines, interactive touchscreens sealed with antimicrobial shields will showcase merchandise images and product information. Hudson team members onsite at nearby stores will be able to provide assistance to vending patrons.
Products to be featured in Hudson’s vending programs are skincare brands Plexaderm and Art Of Shaving; fan-favorite eyewear goods from Maui Jim and Revo; and selections from iconic electronic brands Sony, Belkin, Apple, Beats and Brookstone. Also headed to vending machines are toys from Kikkerland Design and LEGO, and fashion accessories from Happy Socks and 47 Brand. Of course, PPE products will be part of the vending offering.
In machines that feature eyewear brands, personalized augmented reality technology installed in a machine’s interface enable an immersive, virtual try-on experiences.
“Automated retail provides us with an avenue to recreate the strong sense of place associated with our stores within the confines of a smaller, non-traditional footprint – all while capitalizing on the dwell time, exposure, and convenience the airport environment affords,” said Hudson executive vice president and chief operating officer Brian Quinn. “For the traveler, this translates to more variety and accessibility to the quality brands they are accustomed to seeing in an environment that enables them to shop on their own schedules.”
