1-800-Flowers.com Inc. takes pride in being among the first to try new sales techniques. "We were one of the first retailers whose name was a phone number, then we became a pioneer online in 1992, so we have a history in exploring new techniques," a spokesman tells InternetRetailer.com, "and now we're happy to be testing online store kiosks."
1-800-Flowers is among the latest group of retailers to sign up as a participating retailer to sell through the online kiosk network operated by Cyphermint Inc. 7-Eleven Inc. makes the Cyphermint system available through its Vcom kiosks, which it is placing in 2,500 stores this year and eventually all 5,800 stores in North America.
Other retailers selling through the Cyphermint system include Barewalls.com, Alliance Entertainment and Universal Tickets Plus. Consumers can use cash, checks or credit cards to load value into a Cyphermint account, then purchase from retailers through the kiosks.
"This gives us additional exposure, particularly with people on the go," the 1-800-Flowers spokesman says. "And accepting cash for online payments is interesting. If you didn't have a credit card but had 100 bucks and needed to buy a gift, this offers a different twist. It will be interesting to see what this test does and if it changes our customer demographics."
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