Liquor Vending Machine - A supermarket has introduced the first wine vending machine in the US. All you have to do is swipe your driving licence, look into the CCTV camera and blow into the Breathalyser. A successful trial will probably result in the supermarket installing similar machines in more than 100 stores.
The wine vending machine is the result of strict laws prohibiting the sale of liquor by any business other than state-owned business. An exception relates to beer - the public can by a maximum of two six-packs per customer from private businesses – but not wine.
The liquor vending machines are quite unique due to not charging the store owner as its generates revenue from advertisements being displayed on flat-screen monitors on the vending machine. The whole process takes around 20 seconds.
The liquor board chairman said the wine vending machine gave 'an added level of convenience in today's busy society'. The machine distributor/manager said that the machines are aimed at the average customer and not the wine expert.
The president of a wine school descibed the machines as 'well-intentioned failures.
Liquor board members are clearly detached from reality if they think these machines offer any value to the consumer.' However, a local winery ower said that he thinks it is a great way to offer wine to people.'
Beer vending machines are common in Britain and European countries, as well as in Japan. It will be interesting to follow the results of this project as success would surely lead to the spread of the machines to the rest of the world. Liquor Boards in South Africa have not been keen on allowing liquor vending machines and LiquorWise does not expect this to change soon.
