YouTube & gangland Ireland

Members of the notorious McCarthy-Dundon gang have sent out a threat to the leader of their feud rivals on YouTube. Convicted criminal John Dundon, who fled the country following a high-profile murder last year, brazenly warned his gang's sworn enemy Christy Keane: "I know where you are." Fugitive Dundon posted the threat on YouTube on Tuesday, despite the fact his gang are under the intense scrutiny of the gardai following the murder of businessman Roy Collins in April. A garda source last night said it is not clear if the video material could be used as evidence in future criminal trials against McCarthy-Dundon gang members. "That is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is their call. It all depends on whether the DPP believes an offence has been committed," he said. On the video, Dundon poses alongside a top of the range C-class Mercedes and says: "Christy, if you're looking for me, I'm somewhere in Europe, but I know where you are." Emerging from the sunroof of the Merc, John poses holding a rifle and says: "I might come out of the roof that way." The registration plates of the dark coloured Mercedes in the internet video are covered with plastic and the vehicle comes with a full body kit and chrome pack, including alloy wheels which estimated to cost in excess of €70,000.

Beauty products from a vending machine ..?

In order to create a luxury image, a state-of-the-art and attractive design for the machine was essential. U*TIQUE machines feature a touch-screen interface, interactive LED lighting design, and an internal robot that delivers the products directly to the customers. The touch screen displays brand profiles, ingredient lists, and video demos, thereby enhancing the customer's shopping experience in a quick and hassle-free way. The products themselves are displayed behind circular and diamond-shaped bubbles, which are programmed to change colors when touched. The machine has been described as “the Ferrari of vending machines” and “retail on demand.” The U*TIQUE shop is positioning itself as a luxury lifestyle brand and is creating a whole new dimension of personal shopping- automated retail. Brand partners include luxury icons like Lancome, Bliss, and Chantecaille. Segal plans on solidifying U*TIQUE's brand image by placing the machines at boutique hotel lobbies, nightclub lounges, high-end shopping malls and airports. To further enhance their brand positioning, U*TIQUE has strategically partnered with Studio in Fred Segal (a luxury beauty boutique in Los Angeles) for their debut.

In the past, luxury retailers have placed a great deal of importance on creating a comfortable retail space where shoppers can come and linger in a pleasant environment; however, there is now a growing market segment of young professionals who simply do not have time, but do have the disposable income, to purchase luxury goods. So long as the vending machines are placed in high-traffic locations for these target consumers, it seems U*TIQUE, with their distinctive brand positioning, should be successful in the luxury goods market.