Vending machine offerings should be adapted to different shopping scenarios and environments, a recent report released during the Shanghai Unattended Retail Exhibition argued.
Nearly 400 exhibitors took up 36,000 square meters of exhibition space during the three-day expo.
Leading industry players and manufacturers such as Bingo Box and Dalian Fiji Bingshan Vending Machine Co also showcased their latest technological offerings, which featured more smart features such as swift payment channels and various of types of vending machines, including ones selling groceries.
A joint report released earlier this year by the China Commerce Association for General Merchandise and Fung Business Intelligence pointed out that customers are welcoming the transformation and emergence of retail formats catering to various needs during work and commuting.
The emergence of new retail locations such as community neighborhoods, parking lots and office buildings also provided new growth potential for industry players who are seeking to diversify their customer targets.
Shanghai-headquartered Geant Investment, which developed and promotes Vingoo Juice machines in 220 cities across China, plans to add more snacks and ready-made food to its future offerings by upgrading technologies. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Zhou Qi said they will also strengthen supply chain management as new product categories are introduced.
Those aged between 19 and 40 make up the majority of shoppers using unattended retail or cashier-less retail services, according to WeChat Pay’s figures.
