Smart retail in Asia is entering a new phase. Payment infrastructure is maturing, cross-border QR links are expanding, and consumers increasingly expect cashless, self-service shopping.
 
Asia-Pacific Leads Growth
The region’s retail automation market is projected to reach US$8.34 billion in 2026 and US$198.16 billion by 2034. It contributed 47.3% of global unmanned retail incremental share, with China, Japan, and South Korea driving growth.
Cross-Border QR Lets Consumers Use Their Own Wallets
All ten ASEAN countries now operate national QR systems; eight have cross-border linkages. China-ASEAN connectivity is accelerating — UnionPay links seven ASEAN markets. Chinese tourists scan PromptPay in Thailand and VietQR in Vietnam; ASEAN visitors in China use their home wallets. For device makers, Asia is becoming a “multi-wallet, multi-currency” market by default.
 
Smart Retail Devices Scale Up
Singapore’s FairPrice plans 1,300+ smart carts across 48 stores by end-2026. China’s unmanned retail market is expected to exceed RMB 200 billion in 2026, growing 35% CAGR. China exports 43.6% of global unmanned retail terminals, mainly to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
 
Guangzhou: Where China’s Supply Chain Meets Asia’s Growth Markets
ASIA SHOP 2027 connects China’s smart retail supply chain with Asia’s expanding payment network. For Chinese exhibitors, it is a gateway to regional buyers. For Asian companies, it is a window into China’s latest smart retail models.
Join ASIA SHOP 2027 in Guangzhou.
March 4–6, 2027
China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China