Cantaloupe Launches 'Smart Store' Kiosks
Cantaloupe Inc., a technology and self-service commerce solutions provider, has launched new smart store technology the company calls its “Smart Store Series.” It includes 600 and 700 models.
These self-service retail solutions are designed to address key challenges, including labor shortages, theft and shrinkage, that food and beverage vendors as well as broader retailers encounter, while enhancing the customer experience, a media release stated.
“We’ve heard from retailers about core customer and operational challenges, which encompass product accessibility, store locations, theft prevention and inventory management,” Jeff Dumbrell, chief revenue officer of Cantaloupe Inc., said in the release. “Our Smart Stores can solve all these issues in traditional retail environments (think of locked up razors and high-end beauty products), while extending retail brands into new footprints like airports and college campuses. Additionally, Smart Stores provide a more modern and secure alternative to traditional food and beverage vending machines.”
Cantaloupe’s 24/7 self-service Smart Stores are designed for retailers, residential buildings, fitness centers and hotel pantries, among other locations. They resemble the product vending machines often seen at airports from CVS or Best Buy.
For Cantaloupe's version, the customer presents payment at the point-of-sale (POS) to unlock the unit, grab the item(s), which are added to their cart, then completes the purchase by pressing Pay and walking away. Currently available in the U.S. and Canada, the solutions will soon be available in the U.K. and Mexico as well.
“We at Galls (parent company of U.S. Patriot) have been searching for a solution to offer our retail products more conveniently across military bases,” added Josh Sandhaus, vice president of Military Operations at Galls. “The Smart Store 700 Duo has been a game changer for us, exceeding all expectations. We can stock a diverse range of retail products and reduce our labor costs while maintaining a high standard of security. We also create additional brand awareness with customized marketing wraps on each Smart Store. We’ve seen an incredibly positive response from our customers, who appreciate the on-demand access to products like caps, tape, headlamps, batteries, flashlights, notepads, socks and more. Because of its success, we plan to expand Smart Stores across all our U.S. Patriot locations.”
Some key features designed to enhance the consumer experience include:
- Weighted-shelves and cameras monitor inventory and minimize shrinkage.
- Touchscreens, audio assistance and visual cues help create an accessible and seamless shopping experience.
- Planograms and product restocking are easily updated through the POS or back-end portal with “minimal effort,” per Cantaloupe.
- Operators can scale from one to four units and stock a variety of products, such as clothing and sporting goods.
- Smart Stores integrate with Cantaloupe’s platform for streamlined inventory management and reporting.
Ron Barrett, CEO of Barrett Vending located in Houston, Texas, said of his experience: “The Smart Store is the next great technology for vending. It has opened up entirely new sales opportunities for our business. We went from seeing 12% in theft at a micro market placed in a car dealership to 0% with the Smart Store 600 Quad. And the best part is the client loves it, from the way it works, to the modern look it provides their dealership.”