Wal-Mart to Extend Rollout of Coinstar, Redbox

DAN ALAIMO

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores here will roll out Coinstar coin-counting machines and redbox DVD rental kiosks to nearly all its U.S. stores within the next 12 to 18 months, the suppliers said last week. The redbox units are currently installed in over 800 Wal-Mart stores, and Coinstar coin-counting machines — known as Coinstar Centers — are installed in over 400 Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart will add 2,700 redbox kiosks and 2,000 Coinstar Centers, a spokeswoman for Coinstar, Bellevue, Wash., told SN. Wal-Mart did not return calls for comment. Other devices at the front of the stores, such as games and rides, will be relocated or removed. “Self-service kiosks, including Coinstar Centers and DVD rental kiosks, are among the highest-profit-per-square-foot areas in the store. In addition, consumers are increasingly looking for ease and convenience, and are embracing self-service devices,” the spokeswoman said. “This is just another indication of the strength of the redbox proposition,” said Gary Lancina, vice president, marketing, Redbox Automated Systems, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. McDonald's Corp., Oakbrook, Ill., and Coinstar each have an ownership interest in Redbox Automated Systems.

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