Entrepreneur launches shoe vending machine in Las Vegas

Las Vegas -- A resident of Las Vegas has launched a shoe vending machine, according to the Las Vegas Business Press. The business was born of a need to change out of high heels and into more comfortable footwear.



Ashley Ross launched Rollasole, a vending machine that dispenses comfortable flats. MGM Resorts International sells the shoes in several of its retail outlets in its Las Vegas resorts. And the shoes can be purchased in stores at Wynn Las Vegas and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas as well.



Rollasole shoes also are provided in guest rooms at Caesars Palace’s boutique Nobu Hotel.



Ross’ company has two vending machines at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood; two at the Grand Canal Shoppes, one near Tao at The Venetian; two at the Fashion Show mall, including a large outdoor machine that can stock up to 200 pairs of shoes; and one near the Body English nightclub at the Hard Rock Hotel.



The smaller vending machines stock 70 pairs of flats. Ross services her machines once a week after buying inventory from her British supplier.



The shoes come in a variety of sizes and colors in the retail outlets, with a more limited selection from the vending machines.



The vended shoes come in small plastic cylinders and with polyurethane soles are rolled up in the tube. Each pair comes with a pouch to carry the heels they replace.



The vending machines have simple transaction instructions and a customer can choose black or one other color, whatever is stocked in the machine at the time. Shoes come in four sizes, small (sizes 5-6) medium (7-8), large (9-10) and extra large (11-12).



Vending machines will take transactions by cash or credit card. Most of those are a basic style that sells for $20, but other more elaborate styles sell for $40 in stores.