Tokyo has an unmanned, honor-system electronics and appliance shop
5 days ago
- #Japan retail
- #honor system
- #unmanned store
- Mr. Sato is tasked with buying a new microwave for the office.
- Instead of going to a conventional electronics store, he visits GO12, an unmanned 24-hour shop in Kamata.
- GO12 operates on an honor system, selling second-hand electronics without any staff present.
- Items are not secured, yet shoplifting hasn't been an issue since its opening last month.
- Prices are flat-rate per category, e.g., microwaves cost 5,000 yen.
- Customers use a tablet to select and pay for items, then take them directly from the shelves.
- Mr. Sato feels oddly guilty leaving without human interaction but successfully purchases a microwave.
- GO12 offers a unique shopping experience, proving trust-based retail can work in Japan.