10.24.23
Boston-based SOS, the female-founded company behind wellness on-the-go smart vending machines, says it is ushering in a new era of in-store product discovery through its new partnership with Ulta Beauty. The beauty retailer is piloting a digital in-store advertising program to “deepen customer engagement and drive growth for brand partners,” according to SOS.
The new SOS vending machine units will be installed in Ulta Beauty locations across 10 cities in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, California and Texas,
The SOS machines will provide a “seamless” sampling experience for Ulta’s Ultamate Rewards members and incentivize new member sign-ups. Members will be able to claim one free sample every week from a variety of travel-sized products from leading brands across cosmetics, skin care and haircare. Guests can enter their phone or email to access their Ultamate rewards account to receive a free sample, while non-member guests can sign-up and create an account at the machine to receive.
"We’re proud to be recognized by Ulta Beauty to help transform their in-store sampling program and build upon their retail media network with digital in-store advertising,” said Susanna Twarog, co-founder and co-CEO of SOS. “Our partnership not only reinforces our mission to help consumers discover new products when and where they want them, but it provides opportunities for Ulta Beauty to drive growth for brand partners through personalized customer engagement, sampling, media and data collection.”
Alongside the consumer-driven sampling experience, the smart vending machines also serve as, interactive advertising platforms using digital screens for sampling awareness, product launches and brand messaging.
“At Ulta Beauty we are committed to delivering new, engaging ways for guests to experience, try, and fall in love with new products.” said Maria Salcedo, senior vice president of merchandising at Ulta Beauty. “Through our pilot program with SOS, we have the ability to learn how guests are engaging with vending machines and digital brand touchpoints in store, opening up new opportunities to transform the beauty shopping experience. This collaboration further exemplifies our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation in beauty retail with a guest centric approach.”
The SOS machines will also offer complimentary Rael period care products for Ulta Beauty guests.
Personal Care & Beauty Vending Machine Operator SOS Secures $3.4M Funding
The new SOS vending machine units will be installed in Ulta Beauty locations across 10 cities in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, California and Texas,
The SOS machines will provide a “seamless” sampling experience for Ulta’s Ultamate Rewards members and incentivize new member sign-ups. Members will be able to claim one free sample every week from a variety of travel-sized products from leading brands across cosmetics, skin care and haircare. Guests can enter their phone or email to access their Ultamate rewards account to receive a free sample, while non-member guests can sign-up and create an account at the machine to receive.
"We’re proud to be recognized by Ulta Beauty to help transform their in-store sampling program and build upon their retail media network with digital in-store advertising,” said Susanna Twarog, co-founder and co-CEO of SOS. “Our partnership not only reinforces our mission to help consumers discover new products when and where they want them, but it provides opportunities for Ulta Beauty to drive growth for brand partners through personalized customer engagement, sampling, media and data collection.”
Alongside the consumer-driven sampling experience, the smart vending machines also serve as, interactive advertising platforms using digital screens for sampling awareness, product launches and brand messaging.
“At Ulta Beauty we are committed to delivering new, engaging ways for guests to experience, try, and fall in love with new products.” said Maria Salcedo, senior vice president of merchandising at Ulta Beauty. “Through our pilot program with SOS, we have the ability to learn how guests are engaging with vending machines and digital brand touchpoints in store, opening up new opportunities to transform the beauty shopping experience. This collaboration further exemplifies our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation in beauty retail with a guest centric approach.”
The SOS machines will also offer complimentary Rael period care products for Ulta Beauty guests.
Additional Reading
Ulta Beauty Reports Net Sales of $2.6 Billion in Q1 2023Personal Care & Beauty Vending Machine Operator SOS Secures $3.4M Funding