A 24-hour unmanned convenience store was officially launched in Baotou city in North China’s Inner Mongolia on Jan 3, marking the first of its kind in the autonomous region, according to a report in the Baotou Evening News.

Located in Jinlin Huayuan in Qingshan district, the 40-square-meter convenience store is equipped with the latest in unmanned store technologies including an automated billing system.

Officials said in the store Chinese-developed technologies give shopping a digital touch. Customers can easily pick up whatever they want and walk straight out of the store without any delay, such as needing to queue to make a payment.

The new store offers an expanded product selection including food, beverages and vegetables.

Customers first need to scan the QR code attached on the doors, which then open automatically.

Customers then select goods and view real-time price information displayed on their mobile phone. Payment is simple, thanks to mobile payment technology.

A customer shops in an unmanned convenience store in Baotou city in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Jan 3. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]