Core Viewpoint - The frequent "blow-up" incidents in the education and training sector, particularly in non-academic training institutions, have raised significant concerns among parents and consumers regarding the safety of pre-paid courses and the overall stability of these institutions [1][3][6]. Group 1: Industry Overview - Multiple training institutions, including "Qin Han Hutong" and "Tong Cheng Tong Mei," have recently faced closures and operational disruptions, affecting thousands of parents and resulting in significant financial losses [3][6]. - The Chinese Consumers Association reported that in 2024, there were 72,962 complaints related to education training services, with pre-paid consumption disputes being a major issue [1][7]. - The rapid expansion and reliance on pre-paid funds by many training institutions have led to financial instability, making them vulnerable to "blow-up" situations when enrollment declines or cash flow issues arise [3][4][10]. Group 2: Consumer Concerns - Parents are increasingly wary of the pre-paid course model due to the risk of institutions shutting down, which not only results in financial loss but also disrupts their children's education [6][10]. - The allure of discounts for large pre-payments often makes it difficult for parents to resist, despite the associated risks [6][9]. - Many parents are now opting for shorter-term courses instead of long-term commitments, reflecting a growing distrust in the pre-paid model [10][12]. Group 3: Regulatory Responses - In response to the issues, regulatory bodies have implemented measures to control pre-payment practices, including limits on the amount and duration of pre-paid fees [7][9]. - A new regulatory platform was launched in July 2023 to oversee pre-paid fees in the education sector, aiming to enhance consumer protection [7][9]. - The introduction of a free app for parents to select legitimate training institutions and manage payments is part of the effort to ensure financial safety [7][12]. Group 4: Innovative Solutions - The "Anxin Xue" product launched by Meituan offers a new payment model that allows parents to pay per class, reducing the risks associated with large pre-payments [12][13]. - This model not only enhances consumer trust but also helps training institutions manage their cash flow more effectively by avoiding reliance on pre-paid funds [12][15]. - The shift towards service-oriented consumption is evident, with increasing demand for flexible payment options across various service sectors, including education [15][16].

Group 1 - The consumer market in April continued to show stable growth, driven by consumption-boosting policies and a strong performance in the sales of upgrade and green products [1][6] - From January to April, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 161,845 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 4.7%, and a real growth of 4.9% after excluding price factors [2] - The retail sales in rural areas outpaced urban areas, with a year-on-year growth of 5.1% for county and township markets, accounting for 39.4% of total retail sales [2] Group 2 - The service retail market showed steady growth, with a year-on-year increase of 5.1% from January to April, outpacing the growth of goods retail by 0.4 percentage points [3] - Travel-related consumption saw significant growth, with various service categories such as transportation and leisure services maintaining rapid growth [3] Group 3 - Sales of upgrade and green products remained strong, with jewelry and cosmetics retail sales growing by 25.3% and 7.2% respectively in April [4] - The sales of household appliances and audio-visual equipment increased by 38.8%, while the retail sales of new energy passenger vehicles reached 905,000 units, growing by 33.9% [4] Group 4 - Online retail sales of physical goods grew by 5.8% from January to April, with a 24.3% share of total retail sales, indicating a steady expansion of online consumption [5] - Physical retail stores also experienced stable growth, with a year-on-year increase of 4.4% in retail sales, supported by innovative business models in membership warehouses and convenience stores [5]