Automated retail is the category of self-service

Self-service

Self service is the practice of serving oneself, usually when purchasing items. Common examples include many gas stations, where the customer pumps their own gas rather than have an attendant do it...

, standalone kiosks in heavily trafficked establishments such as airports, malls and resorts.

The kiosks are usually a turn-key solution with the necessary hardware, technology and services required to maintain an automated, small-footprint retail store.

Consumers select products using a touchscreen interface, pay for purchases using a credit or debit card and then the product is dispensed, sometimes via an internal robotic arm in the machine.

ZoomShops and Redbox

Redbox

Redbox is an American company that specializes in the rental of DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and video games via automated retail kiosks. As of the end of June 2011, Redbox had over 33,000 kiosks in over 27,800 locations....

and Automated Stores are examples.