U*tique: Now expanding to airports, hotel lobbies and gym locker rooms, the first U*tique automated retail machine popped up in STUDIO BEAUTYMIX at Fred Segal Santa Monica just last year, supplying consumers with luxury personal-care products to address so-called cosmetic “emergencies.” Each of the machine’s items is presented to shoppers through a text/video presentation on an interactive LED display, taking the place of your usual sales rep (and minus intrusive fragrance spritzes). Mara Segal, the woman behind U*tique, was inspired to automate the high-end retail experience for a generation accustomed to on-demand everything. U*tiques are stocked with 50 skin, hair and health products from well-known names like Malin + Goetz, Frédéric Fekkai and Phix. We can envision aspiring Jane and Judy Jetsons becoming regular U*tique shoppers.
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