SCaN: Automated Vending is Growing Up

In San Francisco International Airport, you can now buy a digital camera or iPod from a vending machine, side by side with Kit Kat and Skittles.

Pictures are here.

This brief article discusses the challenges and apportunities in automated retail. They liken the convenience of automated retail to that of ATMs. It's clearly working, at some level: "Zoom's airport stores are some of the most profitable performers in the retail industry, with annual sales exceeding $1,000 per square foot."