Unmanned Retail Revolution: Transforming Consumer Experiences in the New Retail Era

Traditional retail habits are giving way to the concept of new retail, with unmanned retail playing a pivotal role in leading this trend. This vast system integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud infrastructure, and electronic payments. It is primarily manifested in two terminal forms: unmanned vending machines and unmanned supermarkets. Despite their different forms, they share common underlying technologies.

Taking DingShang Intelligent Vending Machines as an example, these machines connect to the backend system through 4G networks. Customers access the online shopping platform by scanning a QR code with their smartphones, enabling online product selection and payment. The vending machine communicates in real-time with the backend system, allowing it to understand customer purchasing behavior and facilitate automatic product dispensing. The backend system not only monitors the sales and inventory status of vending machines in real time but also utilizes data to schedule regular restocking, enhancing operational efficiency and enabling large-scale operations.

Unmanned supermarkets operate in a simpler and more direct manner. Customers gain entry through facial recognition or scanning a QR code with their smartphones. Once inside, cameras scan and track both customers and products, employing image recognition for goods and facial recognition for customers. After customers take the products, the system directly deducts the payment from their accounts for settlement.

Compared to traditional retail, the competitive edge of new retail lies in its convenience, speed, and relatively low costs for large-scale operations. This wave is ushering consumers into a new era of shopping.