# Boutique Vending Machines ‘U*tique' Upscale Automated Retail Shopping By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-03-23 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boutique-vending-machines-utique-upscale-automated-retail-shopping References: [retailcustomerexperience](http://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/article.php?id=912&na=1&s=2) & [utiqueshop](http://www.utiqueshop.com/) U*tique is an interactive, touch-sensitive, [automated luxury store](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/novel-robotic-vending-machine) for “life’s little emergencies and indulgences.” The shops offer an assortment of luxury and personal-care items and have made their debut at Studio, the specialty boutique within Los Angeles’s Fred Segal. U*tique, will dispense gadgets, makeup, skincare and hair-care items by high-end and niche labels. 29-year-old creator Mara Segal explains, “I wanted to bring [luxury personal-care products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beauty-destinations) to women who are racing from a hotel to a meeting or a workout and perhaps forgot a lip balm.” Segal plans to install U*tiques in boutique hotel lobbies, upscale gym locker rooms, nightclub lounges, premium shopping malls and airports over the next two years. You can view a [Quicktime Movie here](http://www.utiqueshop.com/CommunicationArts/). Image Credits for Photos 1-4: Photography: Michael Jacobson Model: Laura Weaver Styled by Flair at Fred Segal Shoes by Valentino and Jimmy Choo, courtesy of Madison at Fred Segal SaMo Hair: Carlos Ortiz at Preece & Toff Fred Segal Make-up: Angell Denler - [Studio Beautymix](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ibiza-boutique), Stila Cosmetics ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 84% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Automated Retail:** There is an opportunity to disrupt traditional brick and mortar retail by introducing more automated and interactive shopping experiences like U*tique. - **Luxury Convenience:** There is a trend towards luxury personal-care products being more conveniently accessible in vending machine form to busy customers on the go. - **Niche Product Vending:** Vending machines are no longer just for snacks and drinks; there is an opportunity to introduce more niche products and luxury brands to customers through vending machines like U*tique. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Retail:** Traditional brick and mortar retailers can innovate by introducing more interactive and automated shopping experiences similar to U*tique. - **Hospitality:** Hotels and airports can provide additional luxury personal-care products and convenience by installing vending machines like U*tique in their lobbies or lounges. - **Beauty:** Luxury beauty and personal-care brands can expand their reach and make their products more accessible by partnering with U*tique and other similar vending machines. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Makeup Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beauty-express.md) - [In-Store Beauty Sampling Kiosks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ulta-beauty-and-sos.md) - [Automated Retail Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/venhub.md) - [Automated Micro-Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-stores.md) - [Boutique-Style Fragrance Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-perfume-shop-boutique-stores.md) - [Car Fragrance Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carfume-vending-machine.md) - [Self-Service Collectibles Retail Kiosks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retail-kiosk.md) - [Pop-Up Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-up-vending-machine.md) - [Luxury Beauty Destinations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beauty-destinations.md)