How 20 Retail Tech Companies Navigate Pandemic Challenges and Spot New Opportunities

Overview

In late April 2020, as China’s COVID‑19 wave receded, the Suning Retail Technology Institute together with the Asia‑Pacific Smart Retail Industry Alliance interviewed 20 member enterprises to capture their real‑world conditions and future outlooks.

Macro Economic Context

Q1 2020 GDP fell 6.8% year‑on‑year; overall retail sales dropped 19%, while online retail only fell 0.8% and grew 5.4% YoY, highlighting the resilience of e‑commerce.

Key Findings from the Survey

1. Increased Industry Uncertainty – Need to Optimize Business Structure

Companies such as Qixiang Technology reduced costs, added services, and focused on flagship products to build “normal‑state” capabilities.

2. Shortening Product Innovation Cycles

Shenzhen Angjie Information accelerated remote support, fast‑track deployments (3‑5 days) and offered free cloud servers to maintain client operations.

3. Preserving Cash Flow and Reducing Implementation Costs

Lowering business costs by scaling deployments (e.g., from one store to three with the same budget).

Providing affordable RFID‑based solutions for the apparel sector.

Re‑engineering internal cost structures (travel, rent, etc.).

4. Driving Retail Technology Adoption

Consulting firms emphasized the need for modern equipment, R&D talent and external forces such as the pandemic to spur adoption.

5. Supply‑Chain Information Asymmetry

Enterprises highlighted the importance of real‑time data collection via mobile apps, QR codes and RFID to bridge gaps.

Emerging Opportunities Post‑Pandemic

Fresh‑Food Standardisation and Traceability

Digital‑store providers see a surge in online fresh‑food purchases and advocate for end‑to‑end traceability platforms.

Digital‑Transformation Infrastructure as a Must‑Have

Companies such as Red Star Cloud Computing offered free cloud services, live‑streaming tools and contact‑less temperature‑monitoring solutions.

Enhanced Customer Experience through Omni‑Channel Integration

Retailers are blending online and offline channels, using AI‑driven recommendation engines, 3D visualisation and AI‑powered robots to eliminate spatial constraints.

AI and Big‑Data as Growth Engines

AI firms deployed pandemic‑response robots, voice‑based medical records and intelligent delivery robots, underscoring AI’s long‑term potential.

Conclusion

The survey shows that despite short‑term pain, the 20 retail‑tech firms are shortening innovation cycles, cutting costs, leveraging AI and big‑data, and accelerating digital‑infrastructure upgrades to create new growth points in the post‑COVID retail landscape.