Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in East China, opened its first 24-hour self-serve convenient store at Xianggang Lu on Jan 22 allowing consumers to purchase goods without any store staff.

The red container-like store covers only 18 square meters but a full range of goods are on offer.

People can enter the supermarket by scanning the QR code and then choose what they want from the shelves. When leaving, they need to place the purchased goods on a self-help platform and pay through their smartphones.

"It is much more convenient for me because it's nearby and has fair prices," said a local resident surnamed Ji.

Accordingly, the Zhangjiagang government will launch more self-serve stores in other commercial districts.

The Auchan brand self-serve convenient store opened at Xianggang Lu in zhangjiagang, on Jan 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]