Alibaba unveils first Smart Ladies’ Room

Alibaba B2C e-commerce platform, Tmall, and mall operator Intime have partnered to create a New Retail-driven model for restrooms. Last week, the two unveiled the first Smart Ladies’ Room at the West Lake Intime Shopping Mall in Hangzhou City, China.

People waiting in line can make use of technologies like a pair of ‘magic mirrors’, an augmented reality-powered digital screen that lets shoppers virtually try on and purchase cosmetics, and a vending machine offering products from brands including Shu Uemera, Lancome, Elizabeth Arden and Benefit. All products can be purchased for RMB 0.01 each through the Alipay mobile wallet.

The Smart Ladies’ Room at West Lake Intime Shopping Mall is now open to the public, while one at Hangzhou’s Wulin Intime is undergoing renovations. Plans are afoot to rework more restrooms at tourism sites, shopping malls and hotels.