Social Vend targets cannabis market with Buddy launch

UK startup Social Vend has unveiled Buddy, an artificial intelligence powered cannabis dispensing vending machine.

This can be integrated with a store’s PoS solution or compliance systems.

With a scan of a customer's ID card, Buddy can use their past purchasing data to get recommendations for products and promotions.

“The rapid evolution of the global cannabis market inspired us to develop an automated retail concept designed to fulfil the market need. We’ve added industry specific functionality including features for compliance, granular inventory tracking and the acceptance of crypto,” says Andrew Theodore, CEO at Social Vend.

H&M

H&M Group recently deployed a smart vending machine from Social Vend at its & Other Stories store in Galeries Lafayette, Paris.

This sells some of its beauty products, including hand soap, hand cream and perfume. The plan is to roll-out the machines more widely in 2021 following a pilot.

“We felt very inspired by the idea of creating our own vending machine experience, turning it into a mini version of our stores," says Ebba Kettner, Head of Brand Design at & Other Stories.

"It has special features conveying several layers of our world. We hope that it will make people curious and inspire them to explore our stories.”