A Coca-Cola executive at the ad:tech digital marketing conference said the company is piloting a program with Google Wallet where consumers can use their mobile device to pay for a drink at 200 of its vending machines across the U.S., according to Mobile Commerce Daily. For the full story, click here.
Editor’s Insight: Coca-Cola Co. first announced this pilot test back in June.
This report includes a video clip showing the Coke machines accepting the Google Wallet smart phone on a New York City street location.
As more consumers realize the ease of buying products from a vending machine with a smart phone, customers will begin asking their vending operators when they can have this capability.
In the meantime, the vending industry is struggling with debit card transaction fees.
Customers will want the ease and convenience of using their smart phones to make vending purchases, giving the vending industry even more of a need to convince the credit card associations to accommodate the vending industry. 11-11-11 By Elliot Maras
