Ge Long Hui·2026-02-12 10:27Core Insights - The article discusses the upgrade of the Chinese New Year dinner reservation service by Meituan, introducing a deposit system to secure reservations and utilizing VR technology for room selection, transforming the traditional reservation process into a more reliable transaction model [1][4]. Group 1: Service Upgrade - Meituan has introduced a deposit system for New Year dinner reservations, allowing consumers to lock in their dining spots by paying a deposit, which will be refunded double if the restaurant fails to honor the reservation [1][4]. - The service includes a flexible cancellation policy where restaurants can set a "no responsibility cancellation time," allowing full deposit refunds if cancellations occur within this timeframe [1][4]. Group 2: Technology Integration - The upgrade includes a VR feature that allows consumers to virtually view dining rooms in a 360-degree immersive experience, addressing concerns about discrepancies between online representations and actual conditions [4]. - This VR feature has been implemented in key restaurants across multiple cities, enhancing consumer confidence in their booking decisions [4]. Group 3: Market Trends - Over 100,000 restaurants are available for online New Year dinner reservations on Meituan, with sufficient availability for dining on New Year's Eve [5]. - The order volume for New Year dinner reservations on Meituan and Dianping is projected to increase by over three times by 2026, reflecting changing consumer behaviors such as early bookings and diverse dining scenarios [5]. - More than 24% of merchants are offering "Spring Festival dishes" for home delivery or pickup, indicating a shift towards smaller family gatherings and varied dining experiences during the holiday season [5].