7-Eleven plans Web-kiosk roll out

7-Eleven will begin adding its Web-enabled Vcom kiosks to 1000 stores later this year, launching a new business the company refers to as 'a virtual store within a store'. The kiosks will be built, installed and maintained by NCR.

Vcom is 7-Eleven stores’ kiosk that offers 24-hour, touch-screen convenience coupled with automated teller machine (ATM) capabilities to provide customers with financial and other services.

The agreement calls for 7-Eleven to utilise NCR’s Convenience Connexions solution and includes the purchase of 1000 NCR Personas 78s, software and a complete set of services and support to expand Vcom, which has been tested in 98 7-Eleven stores in Texas and Florida. NCR’s Aptra open architecture software platform delivers automated services in the three-foot-wide, self service terminal.

7-Eleven currently offers customers ATM transactions, cheque cashing through Certegy Check Services, and Western Union money order purchases and money transfers. Other Vcom offerings planned for the initial 1000-store rollout are telecommunications services through Verizon Communications and e-shopping using Cyphermint's secure cash-payment technology, called Pay Cash System, to access select e-commerce products, such as event ticketing, weather reports, lottery results and travel directions.

Jim Keyes, president and CEO of 7-Eleven, says: "Vcom makes existing services more convenient at 7-Eleven and presents an important, new growth opportunity for the company...Customers who do not have traditional banking relationships or access to e-shopping will find a new level of convenience at their local 7-Eleven."