Last month, a Chinese startup opened its first outlet in Shanghai after a few months of testing in its home city, Zhongshan, in southern China.
上个月,一家中国初创公司在上海开了第一家无人收银便利店,在此之前,已在中山市测试了几个月。
A shopper opens the door – and registers with the startup – through WeChat, the popular messaging app.顾客使用微信扫码注册该公司的服务号后即可开门。Although small, the Bingobox store stocks hundreds of items – including a small selection of fresh foods.缤果盒子便利店虽然地方不大,但是拥有数百种商品,还包括少量生鲜食品。The customer has to scan each item’s barcode.
顾客需扫描每件商品的条形码。And then pay on their phone, either via WeChat or Alibaba’s mobile wallet app, Alipay.然后在手机上用微信或支付宝付款。As you leave the store, a camera checks you’re taking out only the stuff you paid for.离店时,监控会检查你是否只带走已结账的商品。In-store cameras use facial recognition to check for unregistered users who shouldn’t be on the premises.店内监控利用面部识别系统来识别不应出现在店内的未注册用户。While each store is unmanned, a human customer support line is available via video link.虽然每间便利店都无人值守,但是通过视频链接便可获得人工服务。Each Bingobox store is mobile, so the franchise owner can put it where they like.每间缤果盒子便利店都可以移动,所以加盟商可将其放置在自己喜欢的地方。A human staffer is needed for stock-taking and refilling purposes – which the startup claims can be done in just 20 minutes.便利店需专人负责清点存货和补货,该公司宣称可在20分钟内完成。The startup is trying to woo franchise owners with the promise that only four staffers are needed to run 40 stores.这家初创公司正在努力吸引加盟商,表示仅需四名员工即可经营40家门店。