April 14, 2007

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  NEWS: Coke to Go Contactless

   

  Coca-Cola, America's third largest bottling agent, has plans to deploy a number of contactless technology-equipped vending machines. Coke's spokespeople issued a statement confirming the news, which was picked up by several major media bureaus. Citing the fact that the United States is fast becoming a "plastic nation," and using the ubiquitous acceptance of credit/debit cards at restaurants, drugstores, and gas pumps, Coke believes that the time is right to introduce this form of payment. Contactless payment is still in its infancy in the States, but is gradually gaining hold as more and more corporations decide to take a leap on the technology. Coke's spokespeople point out that Americans pretty much expert to be able to pay for everything with plastic these days, and that a cold Coke from the convenience of a vending machine should be no exception – and that contactless payment is the best way to deliver this to the country.
  
  Contactless payment portals are very popular in Japan and Korea, and are starting to become popular in Europe, but critics have been quick to point out that there has yet to be a format that has really been picked up and embraced by Americans. Despite the relative success of such contactless ventures as Mobil gas stations' SpeedPass, Americans just don't seem to be overwhelmingly enthused by the idea. Coke strikes a compelling claim, because of the brand's omnipresence, but experts warn that a big name won't stop the venture from flopping if they jump the gun in introducing the format.
   
  
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