"We only cost a quarter of a traditional convenience store, and running costs are one-eighth."

Neil Wang, president of global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan China, said staff-less stores will bring the "next spring" to the retail industry.

"Staff-less stores are a combination of digital payments, radio frequency identification technology, biological recognition, big data and AI," Wang said.

"They will lower the risk of shop lifting, optimize the goods and reduce costs, from running and maintenance costs to human labor."

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/china-business/2017/07/18/499489/staff-less-shops.htm