Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-07-15 18:10Core Viewpoint - Meituan is set to re-enter the offline retail market with its hard discount supermarket project "Happy Monkey," aligning with its long-term strategy in grocery retail [2][22]. Group 1: Project Launch and Background - The "Happy Monkey" supermarkets will officially open by the end of August, with initial locations in Beijing and Hangzhou, and plans for nationwide expansion [2][4]. - This marks Meituan's return to physical stores after shutting down its previous fresh food chain, Xiaoxiang, five years ago [2][12]. - The project has been in preparation since March, with recruitment for various managerial positions in major cities [2][4]. Group 2: Market Positioning and Strategy - "Happy Monkey" aims to compete in the hard discount retail sector, targeting high cost-performance products through optimized supply chains and reduced operational costs [8][14]. - The supermarket will focus on self-operated products, which are crucial for maintaining competitive pricing and quality [15][17]. - The hard discount retail market in China is rapidly growing, with a market size of approximately 1.79 trillion yuan, accounting for 3.8% of total social retail sales in 2023 [11][12]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Aoleqi and Hema NB have successfully established themselves in the hard discount space, with Aoleqi reporting over 500 low-priced products and significant sales on opening days [9][11]. - Meituan's strategy includes leveraging its existing logistics and supply chain capabilities to enhance its offline retail presence [13][20]. Group 4: Synergy with Existing Operations - The launch of "Happy Monkey" is expected to create synergies with Meituan's existing instant retail operations, enhancing local supply and demand connections [19][22]. - Meituan's instant retail business has a peak daily order volume of 150 million, supported by a vast network of local merchants and delivery personnel [20][22]. - The integration of "Happy Monkey" with Meituan's other retail initiatives aims to provide a comprehensive local retail solution, addressing diverse consumer needs [21][22].