Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
NANNING, June 22 (Xinhua) — In the picturesque countryside of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Alex Turner, a Briton, limped to his guesthouse, trying not to hurt his finger after a walk, and clicked a few times on his smartphone. Within 30 minutes, a sealed yellow package arrived at his doorstep.
“I ordered nail clippers and wound care,” Turner said. “I also added dental floss and insect repellent to get a discount on the order.”
The lightning-fast service is emblematic of China’s rapidly growing instant retail sector. Major e-commerce players like Alibaba, JD.com and Meituan have bet big on the “anything delivered in 30 minutes” model. As more Chinese people order everything from groceries to medicine via apps, instant delivery has transformed their daily lives.
According to a report from analytics company MoonFox Data, China’s instant retail market size will reach 780 billion yuan (about $108.8 billion) by 2024 and is expected to exceed 2 trillion yuan by 2030. Alibaba, JD.com and Meituan are driving this growth by meeting the growing demand for instant consumption.
“Speed and accessibility are the top priorities of today’s consumers,” said Zhao Feng, dean of the School of Business at Guangxi University of Finance and Economics. “Half-hour delivery is not a marketing gimmick, but a revolution. It meets the demand for convenience, eliminates the hassle of shopping, stimulates impulse spending, and increases overall spending,” he added.
Research from consulting firm Accenture shows that more than half of consumers born after 1995 expect same-day delivery and are willing to pay for speedy delivery.
For Li Wei, a personal trainer in Nanning, instant retail has eliminated the need to plan ahead: “I don’t need to stock up on toilet paper, snacks or drinks. With a few clicks, the goods arrive faster than I can change my mind.”
Beyond convenience, consumers are drawn to discounts and the thrill of a bargain. “Sometimes it’s not just about convenience,” says Zhang Chaozhen, a graduate student at Guangxi University, as she scrolls through the app at lunchtime, looking for the best discount on cosmetics. “It’s about the satisfaction of getting a good deal.”
The explosion of instant retail is changing supply chains, strengthening the connection between online platforms and offline stores. Unlike traditional e-commerce with centralized warehouses, instant retail platforms use AI to connect hundreds of local stores to a network of strategically located, highly automated micro-warehouses.
“These centers process orders efficiently, speed up shipments and prevent the accumulation of unclaimed goods,” said Zhou Yimu, brand manager of the Guishuangbai chain of convenience stores.
In late May, Alibaba reported that daily order volume on its instant delivery platform had exceeded 40 million less than a month after its launch.
“The instant retail model is a win-win for everyone: platforms gain access to product networks, retailers increase sales through online channels, and consumers benefit from fast delivery and a wider range of products,” said Liu Yuanshuai of instant retail supermarket Chaoyigou.
“Cooperation with platforms has become a driver of revenue growth,” confirmed Tao Zhaogui, a manager at a pharmacy chain in Nanning. “We used to depend on visitors, but now online orders have grown by 41 percent year-on-year.”
But the growth of the sector has exacerbated consumer protection concerns. As civil and commercial lawyer Tan Yating points out, some platforms have been accused of using big data for “discriminatory pricing.” Customer service is also lagging behind, with complicated returns processes and platforms evading liability remaining unresolved.
“The key solution is to strengthen oversight,” Tang Yating emphasized. “Clear regulations must ensure pricing transparency and accountability of services in this fast-growing sector.” -0-