First batch of unmanned bookstores debuts in Zhejiang

Following the launch of the first 24-hour unstaffed convenience store "BingoBox" in Shanghai two months ago, a new type of "unmanned business" has appeared in the neighboring province of Zhejiang: An unmanned bookstore.

Photo shows a customer taking a receipt after trying "self-help book buying" services at a Xinhua bookstore in Hangzhou, August 21, 2017. [Photo: zjol.com.cn]

173 Xinhua bookstores throughout Zhejiang Province have launched "self-help book buying" services. Once book buyers register, they simply use their smartphones to gain access, with the entire purchase process completed within two minutes.

"After choosing books you want to buy, you just use your smartphone to scan a QR code, then scan the bar code on back cover of the book, which takes you to the payment page. Both WeChat and Alipay can be accepted," a Xinhua consumer in Hangzhou told Zhejiang Online.

A combined photo shows the flowsheet of the "self-help book buying" service at a Xinhua bookstore in Hangzhou, August 21, 2017. [Photo: zjol.com.cn]

In addition, a robot sales assistant "Xiao Xin" has debuted in two Xinhua bookstores in Hangzhou. The one-meter-tall robots are responsible for helping consumers to find books. "Xiao Xin" guides buyers to the books on shelves, simply by telling the robot the book's name.

A consumer talks with robot sales assistant "Xiao Xin" in a Xinhua Bookstore in Hangzhou, August 21, 2017. [Photo: zjol.com.cn]

Wang Zhongyi, President of the Zhejiang Xinhua Bookstore Group, said the concept is unique to China.

General Manager of the Zhejiang Xinhua Bookstore Group, Deng Xiaolin, says the concept of unmanned bookstores is designed to make the bookstore business more intelligent, convenient and efficient.

He says Xinhua hopes to move the self-service concept into other cities across China.