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Asked: 2025-05-09T10:44:12+08:00 In:

Are there any smart shopping carts or self – checkout systems commonly used in Chinese supermarkets? How do they work?

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Are there any smart shopping carts or self – checkout systems commonly used in Chinese supermarkets? How do they work?
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    1. Tzippy hartman
      Teacher

      Yes, smart shopping carts and self-checkout systems are increasingly common in Chinese supermarkets, leveraging AI and automation to streamline the shopping experience. Here’s how they work and their current adoption:

      1. Smart Shopping Carts

      Examples & Features:
      • Caper Smart Carts:
        • AI-Powered Recognition: Utilize cameras and sensors to automatically identify items placed in the cart, eliminating the need for manual scanning.
        • Real-Time Tracking: Embedded screens display item prices and running totals in real time, allowing shoppers to monitor spending dynamically.
        • Payment Integration: Support direct mobile payments via WeChat Pay or Alipay, enabling seamless “grab-and-go” checkout experiences.
      • Visual Recognition Carts:
        • Employ computer vision technology through onboard cameras for product scanning, featuring modular designs for easy portability.
      Benefits:
      • Reduce checkout queues by 30–50% and lower labor costs for supermarkets through automated processes.

      2. Self-Checkout Systems

      Types & Technologies:
      • Traditional Kiosks:
        • Customers manually scan barcodes at standalone stations and complete payments via QR codes or facial recognition (e.g., Alipay’s “Smile to Pay”), commonly adopted in chains like Walmart China and Hema Fresh.
      • AI-Enhanced Kiosks:
        • RFID/Image Recognition: Advanced systems skip barcode scanning, using RFID tags or AI cameras to identify items (e.g., JD.com’s cashierless stores).
        • Fraud Detection: AI algorithms monitor for unscanned items or barcode tampering, reducing retail shrinkage by 15–20%.
      Adoption:
      • Over 60% of large supermarkets in China now use self-checkout systems, with 24-hour unmanned stores expanding in major cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen.

      3. Enhancing the Shopping Experience

      • Speed: Self-checkout reduces transaction time by 40% compared to traditional staffed lanes, streamlining the checkout process.
      • Personalization: Smart carts deliver real-time promotions based on items added (e.g., suggesting discounted snacks with beverage purchases), enhancing customer engagement.
      • Labor Efficiency: One employee can manage 6–8 self-checkout kiosks, optimizing staffing resources for supermarkets.

      4. Challenges

      • Elderly Adaptation: Older shoppers may face difficulties with new technologies, leading some stores to retain traditional staffed checkout lanes for accessibility.
      • Technical Limitations: Visual recognition systems may misidentify items with similar packaging, requiring manual overrides and occasional customer assistance.

      5. Future Trends (2025–2030)

      • AI Expansion: Companies like Oracle and Alibaba are testing smart carts with voice-command shopping and dietary preference tracking, enabling more intuitive interactions.
      • Drone Integration: Pilot programs in Guangzhou explore using drones for shelf restocking and guiding customers to products, enhancing inventory management and in-store navigation.
      These technologies offer convenience through automation and AI, though they require familiarity with mobile payment systems. Innovators like NCR and Diebold Nixdorf continue to drive advancements in smart retail solutions across China.