7-Eleven’s first ever self-serve vending machine store in Melbourne’s CBD spurred by crime fears
The convenience store giant has admitted that Melbourne’s rampant crime crisis and fears for staff safety were among reasons it opened its first workerless, vending machine only store in the CBD.
Convenience store giant 7-Eleven has admitted that Melbourne’s retail crime scourge played a factor in the opening of their very first vending machine only operation in the city.
The workerless store popped up on the corner of Collins and Spencer St in the CBD recently, offering food, drinks and snacks via vending machines only.
Speaking to the Herald Sun the convenience chain said crime, including worker safety, was one of the factors taken into consideration when opening the self serve store.
“7-Eleven like all retailers are concerned about retail crime and the safety of our teams and customers, not just in Victoria but nationally,” a spokesperson said.
“We did consider retail crime, in particular theft and safety concerns for our team members, were factors in selecting this store as a new vending format.
“7-Eleven are supportive of any positive changes that would benefit the industry to improve the safety of our team members and customers and reduce crime.”
It comes after retail bosses called for the Victorian government to crack down on shocking levels of crime that was eating into profits and threatening staff safety.
Woolworths, Coles, Wesfarmers, the Accent Group and Super Retail have all decried the out-of-control levels of crime in their stores, singling out Victoria as the worst nationwide.
Earlier this month, Premier Jacinta Allan proposed legislation that would see thugs who assault shop workers face up to five years in jail.
Meanwhile, 7-Eleven said it planned to develop more self service stores if the Collins St shop was successful.
“Next year, 7-Eleven will continue to invest in our existing network and formats and continue expanding into more neighbourhoods through new sites,” the spokesperson said.
The company said there were other factors besides crime that played a role in the opening of “Australia’s first” fully vending machine operated shop, including “innovation” and “ease-of-use”.
“The 620 Collins Street store has been refurbished into a fully automated format as part of our ongoing innovation agenda as we continue to experiment with the formats and experiences that customers are seeking more of,” they said.
“Customers can visit the store and buy sweet treats, snacks and a range of drinks from our vending-style machines, paying by card for an easy on-the-go shopping experience.”
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Originally published as 7-Eleven’s first ever self-serve vending machine store in Melbourne’s CBD spurred by crime fears
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