California: New Anti-Theft Vending Machine Introduced—Simple, Yet Effective Solution for Shoplifting

In California, a new anti-theft vending machine was introduced by a vending machine manufacturer. The company claims that this simple, yet effective solution can greatly benefit businesses.

(Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images) Students purchased soft drinks from vending machines at Jones College Prep High School on April 20, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Public School system will introduce next fall a new vending policy restricting junk food and a new beverage contract banning carbonated drinks.

As of writing, shoplifters are still targeting numerous retailers; forcing them to take drastic measures, which negatively affect the shopping experiences of American consumers.

Although their efforts can prevent store thieves, their methods also discourage shoppers because they can make shopping activities more complicated.

Now, can this new anti-vending machine solve this issue? Here's how it works.

California: New Anti-Theft Vending Machine Introduced

According to Business Insider's latest report, the new anti-vending machine was developed by Digital Media Vending International, a company based in California.
Its founder, David Ashforth, said that they created this new anti-theft technology because they are frustrated with shopping nowadays.

This is because Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, and other popular stores are using plexiglass walls to lock their merchandise. Before shoppers can get the items they want behind these glass walls, they are required to show their receipts.

The use of plexiglass walls and other anti-shoplifting methods can make consumers' shopping experiences very inconvenient. This is the issue that Ashforth experiences when shopping.

"What's happening today isn't solving the problem," said Ashforth.

"I had to find someone with a key, and it was at that moment when the lightbulb went off," he added.

How Anti-Theft Vending Machine Works

(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Two students buy snacks from a vending machine at Mission High School on April 8, 2004, in San Francisco, California. In an effort to battle obesity in children, the San Francisco Unified School District is among the first in the nation to introduce healthy vending machines in their schools that feature organic food and juice drinks.

NBC Bay Area was able to interview David Ashforth. During the discussion, he explained that he saw an opportunity to create a new anti-vending machine after encountering merchandise that a worker had to unlock.

"I thought, 'Huh. My machine could fit right here and then I wouldn't have to find a manager with a key anymore,'" he explained.

The new anti-vending machine of Ashforth's team is integrated with robotics arms that can replace a store aisle's shelving units. In order to get the items from the vending machine, shoppers need to pay in advance online or settle the bill in the store.

After that, they can use the code or receipt they'll receive to access the vending machine. Although it is quite longer than the traditional shopping method, it will still save consumers time instead of looking for a manager just to unlock a case of merchandise.

This is why Ashforth describes their anti-theft shopping technology as "self-service shelves." The innovator said that he had already spoken with 44 retailers regarding his new anti-shoplifting vending machine.

Some of them are inquiring about purchasing Ashforth's product. However, he clarified that his vending machines can't cover an entire store as of writing.