16-Apr-18, PaymentsSource
The cashierless Amazon Go concept is inspiring fear in traditional US retailers, but the idea is already mainstream in China.
%20PaymentsSource.jpg "In China Amazon Go style stores are almost old news (c) PaymentsSource")
Image: PaymentsSource
A cashierless chain called BingoBox has grown to 300 locations and 30 cities in China in about two years, and is planning to expand to other cities in and outside of China. Consumers use an app to gain access to the store by scanning a QR code, and pay via WeChat Pay or Alipay.
By comparison, Amazon opened its first Go store in Jan-18 in Seattle, and will add up to six stores by the end of the year. There are some signs that Amazon's expansion may be too fast given the lack of consumer adoption of the necessary technology.