CVS Pharmacy to launch customized health-and-wellness vending machines

CVS Pharmacy is rolling out a convenient way for consumers on the go to easily buy necessities.



The drugstore chain on Thursday introduced automated vending machines that will be located in travel hubs and other places and contain such items as over-the-counter health products, better-for-you snacks and popular personal care products. The machines will also be used to showcase products from the company’s exclusive store brands while meeting customers at well-trafficked areas.



“Our new CVS Pharmacy vending machine program allows us to extend that convenience beyond our brick-and-mortar locations to offer customers on-the-go essentials in the locations where they often need them most, like airports, hotels and other transportation hubs," stated CVS Pharmacy senior VP front store business and chief merchant Judy Sansone



By the end of October, 25 CVS Pharmacy vending machines will pop up throughout New England and New York at such targeted areas as airports, including New York City’s LaGuardia Airport; public transit stations such as Boston’s South Station Bus Terminal; office parks and college campuses. Each vending machine will be customized by location and contain more than 70 products — many of which are sourced from CVS Pharmacy’s exclusive store brands, including CVS Health, Beauty 360, Gold Emblem and Gold Emblem abound.



In addition to the initial 25 machines, the retailer said it is considering more than 50 more across the country on college campuses, corporate offices, hotels and other transportation hubs.



"These new vending machines allow us to make our innovative CVS Brand products available to customers outside of our store locations for the very first time," CVS Health VP store brands and quality assurance Cia Tucci said. "The CVS Pharmacy vending machines will be located in places where we can bring our customers smart solutions and convenient access to the products they trust when they are on-the-go."



The vending machines will accept all major debit and credit cards and feature a 22-in. multi-touch screen, high-resolution images with product information and a QR code reader to allow for scanning of barcodes and promotional codes. They also will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, allowing those in wheelchairs to fully access the touchscreen and its functionality.