# Unmanned 24-Hour Bookstores The Xinhua Bookstore Utilizes the 5G Network & Facial Recognition Tech By Kalin Ned | Published 2020-01-14 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/24hour-bookstore References: [xinhuanet](http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-07/05/c_138201629.htm) & [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/echinanews/posts/first-24-hour-unmanned-bookstore-opens-in-beijing-people-could-enter-by-having-f/954308001396069/) In 2019, a new 24-hour bookstore opened in north China's Xiongan New Area. The brick-and-mortar destination was peculiar as it had [no staff](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lotus-pick-and-go) and instead consumers required a membership to get in. New users are expected to swipe their ID cards and pass by facial recognition technology to register. The entire environment of the 24-hour bookstore relies on the IoT and the 5G network, making this a tech-heavy and convenience-focused shopping experience. Guests of the business can turn to the [store's app](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sams-club-4), which provides them with assistance when locating a specific title. One can pay for a book via the WeChat payment scanning code. The 24-hour bookstore is part of a larger development -- "China's millennium green city." Image Credit: Chinanews.com ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Unmanned Bookstores:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced facial recognition technology and IoT integration for unmanned retail stores. - **5G Network in Retail:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implement 5G networks in brick-and-mortar stores for seamless connectivity and enhanced customer experience. - **Convenient Shopping Experience:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create mobile apps that offer personalized assistance and easy payment options for a more convenient shopping experience. ### Who This Affects Most - **Retail:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implement unmanned retail stores with advanced technology for an efficient and cost-effective operation. - **Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop and enhance facial recognition technology and IoT integration for various industries. - **Mobile Payment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop secure and user-friendly mobile payment platforms for seamless transactions in retail and other industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Smart Cashierless Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cashierless-shop.md) - [AI-Based Convenience Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-convenience-store.md) - [Cashier-Free Grocery Chains](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aisle-24.md) - [Employee-Free Smart Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teo-smart-stores.md) - [AI-Powered Supermarkets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-grocery-store.md) - [Life-Sized Robot Concierges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manga-library.md) - [24-Hour AI-Powered Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rewe-to-go-1.md) - [AI-Driven Convenience Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-convenience-stores.md) - [Automated Retail Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muffato.md)