Sock company launches smart vending machines to dispense products 24/7

The Sock Spot’s smart, touchscreen vending machines tailor products to each of its locations across San Francisco

Spotted: Novelty sock company “The Sock Spot” has opened its first automated retail unit in San Francisco’s Westfield Center. The e-commerce company is dedicated to selling “cool socks to show your fun side” and has found a new way to bring online convenience into real life. 

The machines are cashless, touchscreen and provide an “add to cart” feature that allows customers to buy multiple pairs at a time. Sock Spot partnered with Digital Media Vending International to design and install the machines. More of which will be installed elsewhere in the region and state throughout 2019 and 2020. In each of the automated retail units, the range of products available will be unique to the specific location. 

The Sock Spot’s CEO, Ben Williams, said “To me, this represents something in retail that hasn’t been done. An evolution that allows a small online startup to expand the reach of our brand, deliver a unique, online-esque experience to brick and mortar, and use our wealth of digital knowledge to specialize the assortment.”

Located near one of the shopping centre’s entrances, The Sock Spot hopes the curated collection of 40 designs will offer a sock to “match” every personality. The company plans to continue developing this offering by improving customer interfaces and better targeting the assortment of available designs.