Guangzhou Asia Self-Service Vending and Smart Retail Expo

The 2025 Guangzhou Retail Commercial Intelligence Equipment and Merchandise Expo (RETAIL EXPO) was successfully held from April 10 to 12 at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou. Co-organized by the Guangdong Provincial Retail Commerce Industry Association and the Guangzhou Federation of Commerce, the event was themed “Intelligent Leadership in Retail, Digital Innovation for the Future” and represented the most significant annual trade show in China’s retail commercial intelligence equipment sector. Concurrent with the expo were a series of related events, including the China Retail Commerce Intelligence Development Forum, the Unmanned Retail Innovation Summit, and the South China Retail Buyers’ Conference.

With an exhibition area of 25,000 square meters, the show brought together over 400 exhibiting companies, spanning multiple halls within the Canton Fair Complex. The exhibitor lineup featured leading domestic players in retail intelligence equipment, such as Hisense Smart Commercial, Shangmi Technology, Hanshuo Technology, and Huinana Technology, alongside prominent unmanned retail brands like Youbao, Bianli Feng, and Bingguo Box. Over the three-day event, more than 25,000 professional visitors attended, with core buyers—including procurement representatives from chain supermarkets, convenience store operators, and unmanned retail operators—accounting for over 65% of attendees.

The Smart Retail Solutions Pavilion emerged as the highlight of this year’s expo. Alibaba Cloud Retail showcased its “Retail Cloud” omnichannel mid-platform solution, enabling seamless integration of online and offline data and unified member management for retailers. Tencent Smart Retail presented its private‑domain traffic operation system—comprising “Mini Program Mall + WeCom + Tencent Ads”—while JD Retail Cloud emphasized its integrated “Retail ERP + WMS + OMS” solution. Many exhibitors noted that digital transformation has shifted from being optional to essential, with omnichannel operations and private‑domain strategies now representing the most pressing priorities.

The Unmanned Retail and Self‑Service Equipment Pavilion also drew strong interest. Youbao unveiled its next‑generation smart vending machines and unmanned retail solutions, already deployed across hundreds of cities nationwide. Bianli Feng demonstrated its algorithm‑driven convenience store operating system and intelligent product selection capabilities. Bingguo Box introduced its AI‑powered visual recognition–based unmanned store solution, delivering a “grab-and-go” shopping experience. Meanwhile, F5 Future Store highlighted its robotic kitchen and unmanned restaurant technologies. Several exhibitors remarked that, following several years of exploration, unmanned retail has gradually matured into a viable business model, with expanding applications in office buildings, residential communities, and transportation hubs.

The Intelligent Shelving and Electronic Price Tag Pavilion garnered significant attention. Hanshuo Technology exhibited its electronic price tag system and intelligent shelving solutions, offering real-time price synchronization, automated inventory alerts, and targeted promotional messaging. BOE Display showcased its e‑paper display technology and electronic price tag products, while Sichuang Yihui focused on RFID‑enabled smart shelving and asset management solutions. Procurement managers from numerous retail enterprises underscored that electronic price tags effectively reduce labor costs and enhance operational efficiency, becoming standard equipment for chain supermarkets.

The Self‑Service Checkout and POS Systems Pavilion also performed strongly. Hisense Smart Commercial unveiled its latest generation of self‑service checkout kiosks and intelligent POS terminals, supporting both facial recognition and QR code payments. Shangmi Technology displayed its handheld smart POS devices and desktop cash registers, powered by Android and equipped with a wide array of SaaS applications. Shengteng Information highlighted its face‑recognition payment terminals and aggregated payment solutions. Many companies emphasized that self‑service checkout systems can significantly alleviate peak‑hour queuing and enhance customer experience, making them a key focus of retail store upgrades toward greater intelligence.

The South China Retail Buyers’ Conference yielded substantial results. Held on the second day of the expo, the conference invited procurement leaders from major South China retailers—including Aeon, CR Vanguard, Meiyijia, Tianfu, FamilyMart, and 7‑Eleven—to engage in one‑on‑one discussions with exhibiting companies. Purchasing needs spanned self‑service checkout equipment, electronic price tags, intelligent shelving, commercial cold chains, and POS systems, among other categories. Preliminary estimates indicate that the conference resulted in intended purchase commitments exceeding RMB 200 million. A procurement executive from CR Vanguard remarked, “RETAIL EXPO is our most important annual sourcing platform, helping us stay abreast of the latest technologies and products.”

The China Retail Commerce Intelligence Development Forum brought together industry thought leaders. With the theme “AI + Retail: New Growth,” the forum featured keynote speeches by the Vice President of the China Chain Operation Association, the President of the Guangdong Provincial Retail Commerce Industry Association, the General Manager of Alibaba Cloud Retail, the Vice President of Tencent Smart Retail, and the CEO of Hisense Smart Commercial, among others. Discussions delved deeply into topics such as “Pain Points and Breakthroughs in Retail Digitalization,” “Strategies for Operating Private‑Domain Traffic,” and “Innovations in Unmanned Retail Business Models.” Experts attending the forum emphasized that China’s retail sector is currently undergoing a critical transition from “traffic‑driven” to “efficiency‑driven” growth, with digitalization and intelligent technologies serving as pivotal tools for enhancing operational efficiency.

As competition intensifies and consumer expectations rise, the pace of retail commerce intelligence upgrades will continue to accelerate. As the most influential specialized expo for retail intelligence equipment in South China, RETAIL EXPO has become a strategic platform for companies to showcase new products, connect with customers, gain market insights, and expand their reach.