A Study On Smart Vending Machines As A Modern Retail Platform For Branded Products In Coimbatore

Retailing has undergone rapid transformation due to technological advancements and changing consumer preferences.Smart vending machines have emerged as an innovative retail solution offering convenience, speed, and contactless purchasing.This study examines the awareness, usage pattern, and consumer perception of smart vending machines as a modern retail platform for branded products in Coimbatore.A descriptive research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 110 respondents using a structured questionnaire.Analytical tools such as Simple Percentage Analysis, Ranking Analysis, Chi-square Test, ANOVA, and Descriptive Analysis were used.The findings reveal that young consumers, especially students, form the primary user base.Product variety, 24/7 availability, speed of response, and digital security significantly influence usage.The study concludes that smart vending machines have strong growth potential in Coimbatore with proper maintenance, security assurance, and inclusion of local and healthy products.