In Hong Kong’s densely populated urban environment, the convenience store industry is extremely competitive, and operating costs are high. A leading chain, CityGo, operates multiple high-traffic locations and faced several practical challenges:

• High rental costs requiring efficient use of every square meter
• Limited sales opportunities during late-night hours as traditional stores close
• High labor costs for night restocking and inventory management
• Fragmented sales data, making it difficult to quickly identify best-selling and slow-moving products

CityGo sought a solution that could extend operating hours, reduce labor costs, and enhance the shopping experience for its customers.

Innovative Unmanned Retail Strategy

After careful evaluation, CityGo selected WEIMI Smart Vending Machines as the core solution. Unlike traditional vending machines, WEIMI provides not only automated sales but also a complete intelligent retail management system:

1. Multi-Functional Sales Terminal

   Compact design allows installation inside stores, shopping malls, metro stations, or high-traffic community areas. Despite its small footprint, the machine can store a wide variety of products including snacks, beverages, and daily necessities to meet diverse customer needs.

2. Intelligent Inventory Management

   Each machine is connected to a cloud-based management system, monitoring stock levels, sales, and slow-moving products in real time. Alerts are automatically sent when inventory falls below a set threshold, ensuring timely restocking and minimizing out-of-stock situations.

3. Multiple Payment Methods

   Supports credit cards, mobile wallets, QR payments, and other cashless options, providing fast and convenient transactions at any time.

4. Data Analytics and Decision Support

   The system automatically generates sales reports, helping CityGo understand product performance and consumer preferences, enabling data-driven restocking and marketing strategies.

5. 24/7 Unmanned Operation

   The machines operate continuously around the clock, meeting customer demand even during nights and holidays without additional staff.

Impact and Results

Since deploying WEIMI Smart Vending Machines in three high-traffic locations, CityGo has achieved:

1. Significant Operational Efficiency Gains

• Labor costs decreased by approximately 60%, as night restocking and monitoring tasks were replaced by automated systems
• 24/7 unmanned operation extended store service hours without additional staff

2. Increased Revenue

• Data-driven restocking ensures popular products are always available
• Monthly sales increased by around 20% after deployment
• Night-time sales accounted for 12% of the new revenue contribution

3. Improved Customer Experience

• Customers can purchase snacks and beverages anytime, especially benefiting night-shift workers and students
• Quick, cashless transactions reduce waiting time and improve convenience
• User-friendly touchscreen interface received highly positive customer feedback

4. Data-Driven Decision Support

• Backend analytics allow CityGo to optimize product mix and plan promotions
• Transparent sales data supports rapid inventory adjustments across multiple locations

Client Feedback

"WEIMI Smart Vending Machines have transformed our night-time operations. The system is stable, easy to use, and provides real-time sales data that helps us make faster, smarter decisions. We plan to expand with additional machines in the near future."

— Operations Manager, CityGo Convenience Store, Hong Kong

Conclusion

This Hong Kong deployment demonstrates that smart vending machines are not merely automated sales devices—they are digital retail management tools. Through compact design, intelligent cloud management, 24/7 unmanned operation, and data-driven insights, retailers can increase operational efficiency, boost sales, and enhance customer experience in high-density urban environments.

Estimated Investment: The typical cost for this configuration ranges from USD 3,500 to 5,000, depending on capacity, payment systems, and customization options.