Macy's expands CE vending service

NEW YORK Macy's announced that after a successful two-year test of personal electronic automated retail, it will add the service to more than half of its full-line department stores around the country. The new e-Spot automated shops offer the latest consumer electronics at a customer's fingertips with touchscreen technology that processes the transaction and completes the sale in a matter of minutes.

 "Personal electronics are a massive business in today's texting, downloading, photo 'tagging,' YouTubing world," said Chris Mizer, seniorvp of Macy's customer operations. "And arguably more so than ever before, people's tech taste is as much an extension of their personal style as their choice of shoe or apparel brands. As we continue to expand the Macy's brand as the premiere shopping and lifestyle destination, it became increasingly obvious that our customer was looking to us for this caliber of electronic product. They wanted one-stop, no-fuss shopping, and we are responding."

e-Spot works similar to a vending machine, customers simply swipe their credit or gift card and the product is released from the machine whne the transaction is complete.