System and method for improved retail sales

• US 20080208695A1
• Filed: 02/11/2008
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Condron
• Original Assignee: James Condron
• Inventors: Condron, James
• Application Number:
  US12/069,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20080208695A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

A system for facilitating retail sales includes a kiosk located in a retail establishment, and maintained and operated by a third party, apart from the retail establishment. The kiosk couples with at least one vendor having one or more items for sale and displays the one or more items for sale on a interactive screen. The kiosk receives input from the third party and the retail establishment regarding the price one or more items for sale. The kiosk receives input, through the interactive screen, from a user desiring to purchase at least one item for sale from the vendor, where the transaction is handled by the third party operating the kiosk with delivery of a portion of the profits from the sale are delivered to the retail establishment by the third party.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating retail sales, said system comprising:

a kiosk, said kiosk being located in a retail establishment, and being maintained and operated by a third party, apart from said retail establishment, said kiosk configured to,

couple with at least one vendor having one or more items for sale;

display said one or more items for sale on a interactive screen;

receive input from said third party and said retail establishment regarding the price one or more items for sale;

receive input, through said interactive screen, from a user desiring to purchase at least one item for sale from said vendor, wherein said transaction is handled by said third party operating said kiosk with delivery of a portion of said profits from said sale are delivered to said retail establishment by said third party.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said kiosk is coupled to said vendors via the internet.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said kiosk is coupled to two or more vendors.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said kiosk has a processor for managing programming to support the sale of said items.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wholesale price associated with said items is set by said vendor, and wherein a retail price is set by said third party and said retail establishment, with an associated agreement regarding profits.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said kiosk further comprises a display screen for displaying any one of advertisement and promotions.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said kiosk further comprises a coupled display case for containing sample items for sale through said kiosk.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a transaction conducted on said kiosk is completed entirely at said kiosk.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a transaction conducted at said kiosk is partially performed at said kiosk, such that a selection of an item is performed at said kiosk, resulting in a printed receipt for said item.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said printed receipt is taken to a check-out counter at said retail establishment to complete payment and delivery options for said transaction.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said kiosk generates periodic reports for said retail establishment regarding purchases coducted on said kiosk.