Soon you'll be able to purchase Uniqlo henleys and outerwear through vending machines across the U.S.
The retailer announced a new shopping experience today, called Uniqlo To Go, where customers can buy Heattech long-sleeve tees and ultra lightweight down jackets through the appliance. The purchased pieces come out in compact packages and cans, just like snacks and soda.
The brand will roll out 10 vending machines in the next two months in New York, Houston, Oakland, and various cities around the country. The vending machines will be stationed in shopping malls and airports—locations with lots of foot traffic (and, coincidentally, where it often gets cold enough that you'd need an extra layer).
"At the airport, you don't have a lot of time to wait in line and explore a store," Uniqlo's U.S. marketing chief Marisol Tamaro told The Wall Street Journal. The plan is just as convenient for the brand as it is for the customer—vending machines are easier and cheaper to handle than full-blown storefronts. Uniqlo To Go fits in with the brand's strategy to increase its presence in the U.S., after previous plans flopped, WSJ reports.
The first vending machine is already running as of today, August 2, in the Oakland International Airport. The remaining nine will be installed throughout August and September.
The machines feature a touch screen where customers can select shirt and jacket styles in various colors and sizes. Purchases can be made via card, and items can be returned in-store or via mail.
Take a look at what to expect below.
