New retail landscape gives China startups a boost amid pandemic

Contactless services grow as social distancing becomes norm

China QRcode.JPG

A man using a QR code payment app at an unmanned convenience store in Shenzhen, China.

SHUHEI YAMADA, Nikkei Asia tech chief editor, and FUMIE YAKU, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the development and adoption of technology that aid online sales, giving a boost to Chinese startups in fields such as contactless payments and video monitoring.

While Japan, the U.S. and some countries in Europe are still fighting the pandemic, China, from where the outbreak originated, has resumed economic activities. Yet, the previous way of life may no longer be sustainable amid fears of a return of the disease.

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