The instant retail market is expected to reach 3.6 trillion yuan by 2030

Retail is increasingly competing on time and supply, offering consumers ever more convenience.

According to the "Instant+ 2023 Instant Retail Development Trends White Paper", the instant retail market is projected to grow at an average annual compound rate of 25% from 2023 to 2030, reaching 3.6 trillion yuan by 2030, equivalent to 6% of the total retail sales of consumer goods during the same period. Instant retail ≠ urgent needs—it's becoming a new, highly reliable lifestyle.

Compared to traditional food delivery, the core of instant retail lies in its massive SKU count and wide range of product categories. By integrating an omnichannel supply chain, instant retail enables the constant updating of tens of thousands of SKUs and involves key players like platforms and offline retailers, giving it a distinct advantage. Unlike other online business models, instant retail’s promise of delivery in “30 minutes or less” provides consumers with an unparalleled speed experience.

Meituan Flash Delivery’s tagline says it all: “Shop for anything like ordering takeout, delivered in an average of 30 minutes.”

It’s undeniably appealing! If drones and delivery robots become more widespread in the future, I suspect this time will shrink to 10 minutes, 5 minutes—or perhaps even faster?