Vending Machines Sell Fragrance in the Paris Metro
Mar 08 2010
Retail Wrap >>

A week before Valentine's Day, fragrance retailer Sephora installed a series of machines at various Metro stations in Paris dedicated to selling Calvin Klein's CK One scent in a special, portable size.

From February 7 through February 20, visitors to the Métro's La Défense, Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, Montparnasse and Miromesnil stations could buy a special 15ml size of CK One at an on-site "CK One Pocket Store" by Sephora. Priced at EUR 10, the limited-edition pocket size is also available through Sephora itself. The vending-machine concept was created by Paris agency Nouveau Jour, which says it expects to use it abroad as well.

Another option, of course, would have been for Sephora to use the vending machines to give out free samples of the fragrances, much the way Belgian marketing and design agency, Fosfor's Boobox does. Boobox is a prototype for a stand-alone machine that distributes product samples. Consumers interested in getting one simply send a free SMS, in exchange for which they are given an activation code. That, in turn, gives them access to the sample. Unlike most vending machines, the Boobox is completely adjustable to samples with different sizes, weights and forms; it also includes an onboard refrigeration system for items such as dairy products and cooled beverages. The height of the machine's display and keyboard can even be adjusted for use alongside an accompanying poster advertisement.

Adapted from Source: www.springwise.com, 5 March 2010 and 4 March 2009