Make it easy with E-zones Before retailers can generate impulse sales they must explore new ways of ensuring their stores are buzzing with customers. Cash machines and bill payment systems have already proved to be winners for retailers looking to drive footfall. Now they are being offered the chance to take advantage of ever more sophisticated ATMs, while e-fulfilment deliveries and e-top ups look as if they are up there with the best of the latest ideas. Londis commercial director Denise Buller says there will be an increasing number of ATMs in convenience stores, which will also provide retailers with the technology to expand into other web based services, such as booking cinema or theatre tickets. Some of Spar's stores with ATMs have taken more than £1m in a year, and there is no doubt that a chunk of that will have been spent in store. Spar's Steve Blackmore says it's all about increasing footfall. "We see e-fulfilment deliveries such as M-Box, and Dropzone gaining momentum this year as long as they are kept simple. "The hassle factor will come from the purchase of bulky products. "But what will be interesting is the SmartShopper terminal through ATM specialist Moneybox. "This allows people to order all sorts of new products from a terminal in store via a touchscreen next to an ATM. But eventually it will be part of the ATM. We are currently trialling a kiosk in a couple of stores in London." Although ATMs continue to be a major draw for customers, two groups are looking to stretch the idea further and provide banking services in the first half of this year. That, they say, will add value and footfall. Spar is now in talks with a major bank and is about to run a trial soon offering banking facilities in its stores. Scottish c-store chain Morning Noon & Night is looking at providing more banking services in rural areas also via a major bank. MN&N will be one of the first to launch a number of stores with e-retailing via MoneyBox which it claims has the best package. This is scheduled to kick off in April. {{FOCUS SPECIALS }}