ZoomSystems specializes in the design, technology, software development, and operation of Automated Retail

Automated Retail

Automated retail is the category of self-service, standalone kiosks in heavily trafficked establishments such as airports, malls and resorts....

 stores. ZoomSystems technology and services support automated, self-service retail

Retail

Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...

 stores called ZoomShops located in airports, malls, military bases and retailers.

ZoomSystems service offerings include location procurement, supply chain integration, inventory management, account management, creative services and project management. The company has partnered with well-known brands to open over 1,000 ZoomShops across the U.S., Europe and Japan. ZoomShop product offerings include brands such as Best Buy, Apple, Verizon, Macy's

Macy's

Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...

, Reebok

Reebok

Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...

, Proactiv Solution

Proactiv Solution

Proactiv Solution is an over-the-counter topical treatment for mild to moderate forms of acne, widely known for being marketed in Guthy-Renker infomercials since 1995...

 and Body Shop

Body shop

Body shopping is the practice of consultancy firms recruiting information technology workers in order to contract their services out on short-term bases...

.

Product types currently offered in ZoomShops include consumer electronics, cosmetics, wireless accessories and apparel.

ZoomSystems corporate headquarters is located in San Francisco, CA. Investors include Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...

, Sierra Ventures, Starfish Ventures, NeoCarta Ventures and Motorola

Motorola

Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...

 Ventures.

History

In 2002, after several years of research and development to create the kiosk, Gower Smith, a serial entrepreneur, founded ZoomSystems (New Zoom, Inc.). Two years later, in 2004, ZoomSystems partnered with the Sanyo to develop an automated delivery hardware system and developed the software that operates each ZoomShop. The typical ZoomShop allows the consumer to purchase products using a touch screen interface. Once a product is purchased the robotic arm delivers it into the pickup box and charges the consumer's credit card.

Each ZoomShop is designed to scale onto the internet-ready, networked platform.

In October 2006, ZoomSystems entered into an agreement with Federated Department Stores

Federated Department Stores

Macy's, Inc. is a department store holding company and owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores. Macy's Inc.'s stores specialize mostly in retail clothing, jewelery, watches, dinnerware, and furniture....

 to test more than 100 ZoomShops within retailer Macy’s. After the test, Macy's decided to rollout e-Spot ZoomShops as a replacement for the Electronics department in over 400 locations. Over 100 Best Buy

Best Buy

Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...

 Express ZoomShops have rolled out into airports and malls across the U.S. carrying products from Apple and many other electronics brands.

External links

• ZoomSystems website
• NY Times - The latest trend in retail shopping
• Minneapolis Business Journal - ZoomSystems comes to Best Buy hometown
• Specialty Retail ZoomSystems Company Overview