The Body Shop and ZoomSystems have signed a deal to launch high-end vending machines in shopping centers, airports and supermarket chains, reports Women's Wear Daily.

The units manufactured by ZoomSystems (clients include Sephora, Apple's iPhod, Proactiv Solution, Rosetta Stone and Macy's) look like a large vending machines, where customers make a selection and purchase using a credit card. A robotic arm is used to remove the item from the shelf. The average test includes 20 ZoomShops, with each typically carrying 50-60 units.

We know what you're thinking... blah, blah, blah... another traditional retailer jumping into vending or pop-ups in an effort to create buzz. And to an extent, you are right. This is a post about evolution of retailing and the channel strategies that brands are trying.

Then San Francisco-based ZoomSystems founder and CEO, Gower Smith, stared quoting stats and our ears perked up like hearing the call of cotton candy at the fair.

“In many cases, ZoomShops has generated found revenue because they are located along an empty wall or in the place of a bench,” Smith told WWD. “We generated $120 million in 2009 for our partners.”

He told the newspaper that ZoomShops yield higher sales per square foot than traditional retail formats. For instance, according to Smith, the typical airport retail outlet yields $1,000 in sales per square foot a year, compared with a ZoomShop, which generates $40,000 to $50,000 in sales per square foot. Smith added that the typical mall-based store does $300 to $400 in sales per square foot a year, compared with a mall-based ZoomShop’s sales of $3,000 to $10,000 a square foot.

ZoomShops, we assume, get better sales per square foot because they do not have employees to train, manage or provide benefits to. And immediacy of product delivery makes vending potentially more appealing as a splurge than online shopping, increasing trial. Lastly, there are no returns to refund or manage.

If those stats are actual (we'd love to see the business case), it's only a matter of time before retailers test more vending sales options and the channel matures.

(Photo Credit: WWD)