The salesperson robot is provided with a customer information database (5) including face information, a merchandise information database (4) and a speech processing unit (15) for speaking to a customer and listening to what a customer has to say. The robot is thereby enabled to provide relevant merchandise information to the customer both accurately and promptly. In particular, if the customer is already registered in the customer information database, the system may be able to identify the customer from the face information and promptly provide the customer with the information that suits the particular customer even without asking the customer. If the customer is not registered in the customer information database, the robot may receive the customer in such a manner as would suit a customer visiting the shop for the first time. In either case, the customer is able to obtain necessary information from the customer, and give information to the customer in a pleasant and efficient manner in each case.