By Ian Reynolds-Young
Imagine a conversation – probably in the hotel bar on the eve of Vendex – that goes like this:
‘Do you get inspired thinking about the future of age verification technology in vending?
‘Well, I haven’t given it much thought, to be honest.’
‘Did the government’s blanket ban on the sale of high caffeine energy drinks in vending machines rattle your cage?’
‘Don’t get me started!’
‘So what if all those energy drink-less vending machines could check the age of every purchaser and only allow those who are compliant with the law to proceed with the purchases? If that could happen, there’d be no need to ban them, would there?
‘Erm…’
Hold the thought while I introduce you to Mathew Morgan. As 365 Retail Markets‘ Business Development Director for UK and EU, he probably knows more about the advantages incumbent in age verification in unattended retail than just about anybody in the UK. (I can confirm that the advantages are legion, and that Mathew happily offers Chapter and Verse along the way).
‘We made the decision to go down the QR code route right at the beginning. We’ve got an activity in place at the Hilton Hotel and it works like this: when a guest arrives at the hotel, the receptionist confirms the age of the person as they’re checking in. So together with their key card, guests are presented with a QR code, digitally or on paper, that gives them access to the hotel’s age-restricted vending machines.’
OK, so I’ve got my QR code, it’s 2 in the morning and I fancy a beer. Now what?
‘When you get to the machine, a message asks for ‘age verification’. So you scan your QR code. That activates the device which proceeds along its usual route; ‘please tap your card for a pre-authorization’. The pre-auth allows the system in essence to take an amount of money from the card and to check that there are sufficient funds on the card. When that’s done, it unlocks the door and you just take the product.
‘Cameras capture the transaction and footage goes off to the cloud. AI then cross-references what was taken and you’re charged accordingly. Done.
‘If we’d chosen another way, before a consumer could use the system they’d have to take a photo of their passport or driving license, their ID. Then they’d be prompted to upload it into a system, be analysed and checked, and then they’d have to do a live photo of themself to prove that what’s been loaded into the system is, in fact, them.’
Mathew makes using QR codes sound like a no-brainer…
There will be those of you who are rubbing your chins, looking at the picture of Mathew and thinking ‘I’m sure I know that guy.’ You might well: prior to his arrival at 365 Retail Markets, he was Sales Director at Millson’s Vending, one of the industry’s most enduring family-run businesses.
It’s never been easier to offer your customers their age-restricted products of choice, 24/7.
‘I worked with them for ten years, selling into all walks of life from NHS hospitals to universities to offices. During that time, technology changed massively, and then as now, if you didn’t keep up with the technology, you’d get left behind. 365 seemed always to be one step ahead and it was that – together with their dedication to making the purchasing process ever more intuitive and enjoyable- which persuaded me to join their team.’
So that’s all you need to know about the joys of age verification capabilities in unattended retail. If you run a hotel without a night porter, or a gym that never closes – and local licensing laws allow it – it’s never been easier to offer your customers their age-restricted products of choice, 24/7.But what about the shenanigans over banning energy drinks from the UK’s vending machines? As a recent article from the AVA pointed out, it’s hardly joined-up thinking…
- The Government’s own consultation response acknowledges that the evidence linking energy drinks to the harms cited is “not definitive” and does not establish causation, yet it has proceeded with a blanket ban regardless.
- More than 82% of vending machines are located at sites that do not permit access to children including workplaces, factories, warehouses and gyms. No evidence has been presented to show that vending machines, particularly those in adult-only locations, are a significant source of underage purchases.
- The vending industry already operates responsible voluntary restrictions, limiting the sale of energy drinks in locations regularly accessed by children such as shopping centres. Despite this, the Government has rejected a targeted approach, including age-verification technology and location restrictions in favour of a blanket ban, citing ease of enforcement rather than demonstrated risk.
Finally, here’s a final exchange from the imaginary conversation that kicked-off this article:
‘So you’re telling me that vending machines can check the age of every purchaser and only allow those who are compliant with the law to proceed with the purchases?’ ‘That’s it’
‘So there’s no need to ban the sales of energy drinks in vending machines, is there?’
Read more about 365 Retail Markets on PV HERE
Add Comment