Until recently, vending machines provided us with basic products. They were all about fizzy drinks and chocolate bars. Even when they were introduced into hotel lobbies to dispense toiletries that guests had forgotten to pack, the emphasis was still on the "basics". But now a new breed of luxury vending machine is showing up in hotels, airports and malls around the world, offering a very different level of choice and convenience.
Although the luxury vending machine trend may not have started in the UAE, the gold bar dispensing machine installed in the Emirates Palace hotel last year was the first of its kind in the world and set a certain tone for this trend. I will let you decide if it is a tasteful tone or not.
This year, not one but two gold bar vending machines were installed in the Burj Khalifa, and there are plans for more such machines in malls in Dubai. Suddenly, purchasing items from a vending machine requires so much more than a few coins.
Meanwhile, over at the Mondrian South Beach Hotel in Miami, guests can select from more than 60 items in a huge, glossy white vending machine in the lobby. Items range from $10 (Dh37) to $1.2 million (Dh4.4m), so if you fancy buying a Jean Paul Gaultier dress, Sony PSP-2000 or Bentley Azure convertible without the advice of a sales assistant, this is for you.
And perhaps this is where the attraction of "automated retail" truly lies: many shoppers prefer making purchases without interacting with sales assistants. The solitary calm and convenience of shopping online is attractive to most of us, and vending machines essentially offer the best elements of online shopping but in the real world. Plus you get your purchase immediately - instant gratification.
Although many luxury vending machines seem more about offering customers a novelty rather than meeting a genuine need, there are exceptions. U*tique Shop, for example, pushes all the right trend buttons, even down to the very "now" colour of the interactive LED lighting.
The shop offers 56 premium products that are carefully curated according to each machine's location, and therefore answers the genuine needs of people on the go. Machines are stylishly stocked with must-have items of the moment including Smashbox and Stila cosmetics, Bliss Spa, Dogeared jewellery and Lady Gaga Heartbeats headphones. Touch screens allow buyers to learn about the products before buying, providing short video demos, ingredient lists and information on which brands give back to charity. Machines can even dispense a product sample.
The founder, Mara Segal, brilliantly recognised that people are increasingly time-strapped, and shopping could be made simpler and more convenient. As she rightly says: "Time is the new luxury of today, and by focusing on only the must-have premium items, U*tique Shop is saving consumers valued time and making the shopping experience easy and fun."
Currently only present in locations across the US, U*tique Shop has plans for international placement. Here's hoping it arrives in the UAE soon.
For more information on U*tique Shop visit www.utiqueshop.com or log on to the company's Facebook page.
Victoria Redshaw is the managing director of Scarlet Opus. For more information, visit www.trendsblog.co.uk or www.scarletopus.com
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Company%20Profile
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What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Aguero 1', 44', 61'
Arsenal 1
Koscielny 11'
Man of the match: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
The%20specs
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now