James Tenser

Retail Customer Experience:  Pennsylvania's New Wine Kiosks Get Panned

July 15, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
In December, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) announced it would test self-service wine-dispensing kiosks in a select number of grocery stores. What do you think of wine kiosks as a selling tool?      [more...]

This is my nominee for "Workaround of the Decade."

I don't see how these large-footprint vending systems can possibly deliver ROI to their retail hosts, if for no other reason than they prevent more than one individual from shopping the category at one time. Limited assortment is another negative, and then you want me to put my mouth where?

From a tech and business practice perspective, it would seem much easier and productive to smash the clay tablets of PA state law and permit food stores to obtain licenses to stock and sell beer and wine. The political obstacles are another matter entirely--which is why this colossal kludge seemed like a viable idea to some clueless wonk.