Abstract

A modular vending and display system and a method of operation of the system, which is especially applicable to high-value and pilfer-prone products such as prestige fragrances, and to self-service shopping environments. The system enables shoppers to self-sample various scents and self-dispense fragrance product packages for later purchase. The system uses a plurality of modules which, upon actuation by a shopper, convey a package toward the shopper within individual enclosures such that only one package can be removed at a time, and then de-activate for a time delay period to prevent rapid removal of multiple packages from the module. The modules may interact, so that once a shopper has selected a product at one module in the system, other modules are also de-activated during the delay period. This reduces pilferage by making it difficult to remove more than one package during the delay period from a group of modules.