(Yicai Global) Jan .12 -- Unmanned retailer Bianlifeng has taken a controlling stake in competitor Ling Wa as the industry appears to consolidate.

The buyer, officially Beijing Ziyou Feng E-Commerce Co., will continue to run smart shelf operator Ling Wa under its original branding for now, Chinese news outlet 36Kr reported, without disclosing the cash amount or equity stake involved.

The move comes amid a string of similar acquisitions after smaller companies have struggled to obtain capital and sought out larger companies to take over.

Chengdu Guoxiaomei Network Technology Co., another major industry player, recently merged with Fanqiebianli, run by Shanghai Xiaojia Network Technology Co.

Xingbianli, officially Ojiao Network Technology Shanghai Co., also acquired 51snackbar, or Chongqing Seven Step Technology Co.

Bianlifeng's cashier-free convenience stores, which it dubs 'Convenience +,' are at the heart of the company. Smart shelves will be complementary and utilize the firm's information technology, supply chain and logistics systems, a Bianlifeng executive said.

Compared with e-commerce and meal delivery platforms, convenience stores synergize better with smart shelves, he added, saying the firm will not need new teams, systems or infrastructure for sales or warehousing.

Bianlifeng founded in late 2016 and kicked off its smart shelves last November. It has 50,000 shelves in operation across China and hopes to have 500,000 before Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb. 16 this year.

Lingwa was one of the first smart shelf companies in China and has served over 5,000 companies in the east of China over the past two years.