# Self-Serve Shopping Cafes Alibaba's 'Tao Cafe' Takes the eShopping Experience Offline By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2017-07-11 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tao-cafe References: [marketing-interactive](http://www.marketing-interactive.com/alibaba-unveils-staff-less-tao-cafe-and-smart-speaker-to-revolutionise-offline-retail/) 'Tao Cafe' is a newly opened 200-square-meter store from [Alibaba](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taobao-live) that opened in Hangzhou, China that offers shoppers a [completely self-service experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfservice-checkouts), as the offline eShopping destination is completely staff-less. To make small purchases such as fast food and snacks, consumers must use Alibaba's [Taobao](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elderly-mode) e-commerce app for transactions. Upon entering the store, patrons are scanned and identified with facial recognition technology. When it comes to placing an order, such as for a cup of coffee, one's profile picture appears onscreen with an estimated wait time. As they leave, shoppers' purchases are automatically processed via the app. The launch of the Tao Cafe from Alibaba was designed to show off a "new retail" concept, showing the potential for convenient online shopping experiences to be translated into brick-and-mortar spaces. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 95% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: 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 ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Self-serve Shopping:** Brick-and-mortar businesses can use self-serve and app-based transactions to create a seamless and more convenient shopping experience for their customers. - **Facial Recognition Technology:** Integrating facial recognition technology with shopping experiences can help streamline the customer purchase process and reduce wait time. - **New Retail Concept:** Businesses can explore the potential of combining online shopping experiences with traditional brick-and-mortar retail spaces to create a new and innovative shopping concept. ### Where This Applies - **Retail:** Retail industries can use self-service and app-based transactions to develop new retail concepts and minimize the need for in-store staff, improving operational efficiency. - **Technology:** The integration of facial recognition technology in retail spaces presents an opportunity for technology industries to explore and enhance customer experiences. - **Fast Food:** The use of app-based transactions in fast food chains can significantly reduce transaction times, making it easier for customers to make quick purchases, which is one major disruption opportunity. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Powered Snack Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quick-eats-store.md) - [Smart Cashierless Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cashierless-shop.md) - [Grab-and-Go Employee-Free Retailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lotus-pick-and-go.md) - [AI-Based Convenience Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-convenience-store.md) - [Unstaffed Grab-and-Go Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xstore-7.md) - [Senior-Friendly E-Commerce Modes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elderly-mode.md) - [Automated Retail Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/muffato.md) - [AI-Assisted Aisles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cantaloupe-smart-aisle.md) - [Autonomous Checkout Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-checkout.md)