Rapid delivery of fresh produce revolutionizes Shanghai shopping

Speakers: Nillah Nyakoa and Lu Sirui

Residents is checking an intelligent market vending machine. [Photos: from Global Times]

Yuan Qian, a local resident, now prefers to use Fresh Market, a company operating an IM in Shanghai and surrounding cities.

In recent months it is not uncommon to see large parcels filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and fish being dropped off all day long at local communities.

A growing number of residents, especially office workers too busy to shop, prefer to order food and meals online. As the price difference is not big but the convenience is huge, IM just might revolutionize how shopping in Shanghai is done.

Another benefit of IM is the new refrigerated drop boxes being set up in certain communities. Like large lockers activated with a pin number or QR code, delivery boys simply place orders inside these boxes, where they will keep cool until picked up by the customer.

According to the Special Commissioner's Office in Shanghai of the Ministry of Commerce, there will be over 1,600 intelligent markets by the end of 2017.

The audio clip is from Studio+, produced by CRI.