After just four months, Chengdu’s first unmanned supermarket, Gogo Nobody, has reportedly shut down.
This follows the unmanned shelf project Gogo Small, run by the same Chengdu-based startup Xiao Mang Guo Technology, closing down in November.
It is reported that at least 30 employees have not been paid on time, one claiming they had not received payment since November.
A Xiao Mang Guo spokesman says the unmanned supermarket is only “temporarily closed” and will be re-opened after its facial-recognition system has been upgraded.
However, he did admit the company had misjudged the market, forcing it to terminate the unmanned shelf project. “In hindsight, the project expanded way too fast.”
He also acknowledged the issue of backpay, saying the company is sorting out its financial problems and will handle the unpaid wages by April or May. “We did violate the regulations, and we apologise … We will not avoid any responsibilities.”
Originally the company planned to open 500 Gogo supermarkets in commercial complexes across China, and establish 500 unmanned shelves near business districts and office buildings.