Vending machines offer fresh food at communities

very morning at around 5:30 a.m., over 100 types of fresh produce and other food items are delivered and stacked in a series of refrigerated vending machines near communities.

At about 6 a.m., the elderly start to purchase their daily food after morning exercises. Then come the office workers, who usually finish grocery shopping in just a short time before heading to work. Some machines located in busy communities get replenishment of fresh food in the afternoon when items run out.

A unique marketing strategy is adopted to attract customers even in the evening. The food in the machines goes on sale at 7 p.m., with a 10 percent discount every half hour until a free giveaway is offered at 11:30 p.m. Locals queue up to buy whatever is left in the machines, making full use of the discounts. In this way, leftover items are hardly ever seen in the machines, and fresh food is available every day.

Advanced technology allows more convenience

The vending machine operates in an advanced way. After scanning QR codes on the machines with WeChat or Alipay apps, the doors of the machines open. As soon as customers get the food items they need and close the door, bills are automatically generated and paid, thanks to a password-free payment and radio-frequency system that detects the foods selected.

If payment error occurs or customers are dissatisfied with their selection, they can use mini programs of WeChat and Alipay to appeal for a refund. Before refunding customers, staffs will review monitoring videos of the machine and relevant photos that customers upload.