JD.Com Is Next In Line to Set Up Automated Convenience Stores
Tang Shihua
DATE:  Aug 08 2017
/ SOURCE:  Yicai
JD.Com Is Next In Line to Set Up Automated Convenience Stores JD.Com Is Next In Line to Set Up Automated Convenience Stores

(Yicai Global) Aug. 8 -- JD.Com Inc. [NASDAQ: JD] is set to follow e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. [NYSE: BABA] and other firms by developing unmanned convenience stores, Weng Zhi, vice president, said in an exclusive interview with iyiou.com, a service platform for industry innovation.

"The unmanned stores deployed by other firms focus more on concepts," Weng said, "but we will make a practical solution that enables businesses to address user requirements at an acceptable cost."

A number of similar stores have already been set up in China, including Alibaba's Tao Cafe, a cashier-less cafe in the eastern city of Hangzhou, and Sweden-based Wheelys Inc. developed the Moby Mart, an unmanned convenience store that can be wheeled to new locations.

"It is difficult for automated stores to become widespread in the short term because of the high technological complexity involved," he added, saying more preparation is needed.

Weng believes that cost may be the key factor in determining the availability of an automated store. Even for Amazon, whose technology has reached an applicable level, costs are still high, it could be another one or two years before the costs become acceptable, he added.

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Keywords:   JD.com,Retail,E-COMMERCE,Unmanned Store