Vitamin Shoppe Rolls Out Sample-Dispensing Digital Kiosks

Originally published by RIS, Dec. 2: 

The Vitamin Shoppe is giving its customers a fresh way to trial new products.

The retailer is launching interactive digital kiosks from Vengo Labs that offer shoppers samples, while adding data and analytics to the sampling experience. It has included the kiosk in its new innovation store in Edgewater, N.J. and plans to install the kiosks in at least eleven stores by the end of the year.

“We are committed to bringing product and service innovations to our customer experience as we continue to evolve The Vitamin Shoppe,” said Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe. “The interactive Vengo digital kiosk is a novel and convenient way to drive in-store sampling of new products. This engages customers, encourages trial of different brands, and provides a great opportunity for our health enthusiast associates to educate customers about new wellness solutions.”

Each Vengo kiosk features an interactive touchscreen and has six product slots with physical products loaded in, according to RIS’ sister publication Chain Store Age. The shopper views 15-second product videos that alternate with product images and a free samples promotional offer, and then touches the item they would like to try. After potentially being asked a survey question or two, the customer can opt in to provide their email address, and the requested free sample is vended instantly.

Working with strategic partners Destini, a data powered product locator and brand activation platform, and SPINS, a provider of wellness-focused data and technology, Vengo is expanding into traditional retail and grocery outlets.

“We’ve worked with leading brands from CPG to beauty and health and wellness to offer products to people throughout their daily journeys — at gyms, colleges, offices and more,” said Brian Shimmerlik, Vengo’s CEO. “Vengo’s expansion of its data-driven sampling program into retail is a natural extension, and now consumers who like the samples can purchase the products immediately, right in store.”