The Strong Rise of Retail Tech in Shenzhen and Guangzhou

The Retail Tech market in Shenzhen and Guangzhou is booming thanks to AI, IoT, and e-commerce. Shenzhen, known as a technology hub, attracts major corporations like Tencent, Huawei, and DJI, focusing on smart payments, service robots, and livestream commerce. Meanwhile, Guangzhou, as a key commercial center, is advancing digitalized supply chains and livestream e-commerce, helping businesses optimize their online sales.

Both cities are shaping the future of retail through advanced technology, creating numerous opportunities for enterprises and startups in this sector.

1. The Robotic Arm of Retail

Sanbot Robotics, founded in 2012 in Shenzhen, China, is a leading provider of smart service robots integrating AI and IoT to optimize operations and enhance customer experience in various sectors, including retail, education, healthcare, and hospitality.

Businesses in these industries are facing increasing labor costs and growing demand for personalized customer experiences, while human efficiency has its limitations. Additionally, integrating AI and IoT with traditional operations presents challenges due to barriers in natural interaction, contextual understanding, and language processing. Many companies struggle to leverage service robots due to these constraints, making continuous innovation and adaptability crucial for success.

Sanbot Robotics addresses these challenges by offering AI-driven service robots equipped with advanced sensors, image recognition, and voice interaction capabilities. These robots assist with customer service, navigation, and automation in malls, airports, hospitals, and hotels. Sanbot has partnered with major brands to deploy robots in retail stores for product consultation and promotions, while in healthcare, its robots assist with patient check-ins and treatment reminders.

In Vietnam, Sanbot robots have been piloted in retail, healthcare, and education, providing customer service, patient reception, and teaching assistance. These applications demonstrate the potential of service robots in workforce optimization and customer experience enhancement. Learning from these models, Vietnam can accelerate its digital transformation, improve operational efficiency, and elevate service quality across industries.

2. AI-Powered Delivery

Deeproute.ai, established in 2019 in Shenzhen, China, focuses on developing autonomous driving solutions for urban transportation and commercial logistics, enhancing safety, efficiency, and cost optimization.

Autonomous delivery in retail faces multiple challenges. Safety is a primary concern, especially in urban areas and warehouses, requiring precise object and pedestrian recognition. High implementation costs due to complex AI and sensor technologies hinder scalability. Additionally, integration with existing logistics systems remains inconsistent, delaying widespread adoption. Regulatory uncertainties and market skepticism further complicate the industry’s expansion.

Deeproute.ai is addressing these challenges by revolutionizing retail logistics through autonomous vehicle technology, particularly in last-mile delivery and warehouse automation. Its DeepRoute-Driver 3.0 system combines AI, cost-effective LiDAR sensors, and optimized navigation algorithms to enable safe and efficient autonomous movement in urban environments. The company collaborates with major retailers and logistics centers to introduce driverless delivery and warehouse automation, reducing operational costs, improving delivery speed, and optimizing inventory management.

Vietnam can adopt Deeproute.ai’s approach in three key areas:

1. Affordable LiDAR and AI Integration – Reducing the cost of autonomous vehicle deployment makes automation more accessible for logistics and retail businesses.
2. Last-Mile Delivery & Smart Warehousing – Enhancing supply chain efficiency while lowering labor costs.

Retail Partnerships for Testing & Implementation – Collaborating with large retailers for pilot programs and practical application of autonomous delivery solutions.

3. Bridging the Livestream E-Commerce Market

Founded in 2017 in Guangzhou, Xinxuan Group is a pioneer in integrating technology into livestream e-commerce, directly linking brands and manufacturers with consumers. Xinxuan has transformed online retail by incorporating AI, Big Data, and an intelligent livestream ecosystem to optimize sales and supply chain management.

Despite its growth, livestream e-commerce faces several challenges. Consumers demand authentic, engaging, and personalized shopping experiences, but many brands struggle with attracting attention and increasing conversion rates. Additionally, inefficient supply chain management makes it difficult for smaller businesses to track inventory, optimize logistics, and adjust pricing dynamically. Livestreaming effectiveness also depends on support tools for influencers (KOLs/KOCs) and real-time content personalization, which many platforms lack.

Xinxuan innovates by using AI to analyze consumer behavior, dynamically adjust sales scripts, and personalize livestream shopping experiences, increasing conversion rates. The company also applies AI in training influencers (KOLs/KOCs) to enhance their engagement strategies. Furthermore, Xinxuan integrates smart supply chain management tools, allowing small and medium-sized brands to better manage inventory, pricing, and logistics. With these innovations, Xinxuan has grown into one of China’s largest livestream shopping platforms, partnering with over 5,000 brands and generating billions in revenue.

Vietnam can learn from Xinxuan’s AI and data-driven approach to optimize livestream e-commerce, personalize customer experiences, and improve conversion rates. Developing an intelligent livestream ecosystem—from influencer training to supply chain optimization and digital marketing—can significantly boost Vietnam’s competitiveness in the e-commerce space.

4. Smart Vending Machines

Founded in 2015 in Guangzhou, Micron Vending Technology is a leader in developing and manufacturing smart vending machines with integrated IoT capabilities to revolutionize contactless retail experiences. The company focuses on remote management, flexible payment systems, and data-driven analytics to help businesses enhance operational efficiency and cater to modern consumer demands.

Retailers face challenges in inventory management, operational efficiency, and improving contactless shopping experiences. Businesses require accurate demand forecasting, effective remote monitoring, and flexible digital payments while ensuring uninterrupted machine operations. Additionally, the lack of direct customer interaction makes AI-driven personalization essential for improving sales performance.

Micron Vending Technology is addressing these challenges by developing smart vending machines that integrate IoT, AI, and cloud-based data management. The company’s remote management system enables real-time inventory tracking, sales analysis, and automated restocking. Advanced sensors, product recognition technology, and AI help optimize stock levels and personalize product recommendations. Additionally, seamless digital payment options, including QR codes, e-wallets, and contactless payments, enhance the user experience.

Micron Vending has successfully deployed over 30,000 smart vending machines across 60+ countries, demonstrating the power of IoT, AI, and digital payments in retail automation. Vietnam can adopt similar models to accelerate the digitalization of retail, optimize supply chains, and improve market accessibility, especially as consumer demand for smart shopping solutions continues to grow.