Core Points - The "Safe Consumption in Beijing" press conference was held, organized by Meituan and supported by multiple government departments to enhance consumer rights and safety [1][2] - Meituan launched a series of "Safe Consumption" products aimed at various service sectors, including flexible payment solutions and refund policies to improve consumer experience and security [1][2] Group 1: Product Offerings - Meituan introduced "Flexible Payment" and "Runaway Compensation" solutions for the sports and fitness sector [1] - For services like foot massage, hairdressing, and family entertainment, Meituan offers a "per-use redemption" model with refundable remaining balances [1] - In the education sector, consumers can purchase "Safe Learning" packages that allow for per-class payment and refunds if services are not fulfilled [1] Group 2: Market Impact - Over 35,000 stores in Beijing have adopted Meituan's "Safe Consumption" products, with over 50% coverage in the fitness industry and over 40% in sports training [2] - The consumption amount for beauty and fitness services in Beijing increased by over 62% year-on-year as of August, indicating the effectiveness of the "Safe Consumption" initiative [2] - The initiative aims to leverage technology for regulatory compliance and to address challenges in prepaid consumption, promoting digital transformation in the sector [2]

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of the "安心消费" series by Meituan aims to address the challenges of prepaid consumption, particularly in sectors like education, fitness, and beauty, by providing consumer protection against business closures [1][2]. Group 1: Product Launch and Features - Meituan has launched the "安心消费" series, which includes a compensation mechanism for consumers in case of business closures, enhancing consumer confidence in prepaid services [1][2]. - The series includes customized solutions for various sectors, such as "灵活付、跑路赔" in fitness, allowing consumers to purchase group deals with a "跑路赔" label for added security [2]. - In the education sector, the "安心学" product allows for a pay-per-class model, enabling consumers to pay only for the classes they attend, with a refund option for unused funds [2]. Group 2: Market Impact and Participation - Over 35,000 stores in Beijing have joined the "安心消费" series, with over 50% coverage in the fitness industry and over 40% in sports training [1]. - The "安心学" program has seen participation from over 38,000 educational institutions across more than 270 cities, offering over 64,000 courses [2]. - The implementation of these products has led to significant increases in traffic and engagement for participating brands, with one brand reporting a 185% increase in traffic and a 117% increase in visits [3]. Group 3: Regulatory and Industry Support - The initiative aligns with government efforts to promote healthy development in prepaid consumption and ensure consumer fund safety, with Beijing incorporating it into key tasks for urban development [3]. - The platform aims to leverage technology and data to enhance consumer protection and facilitate the digital transformation of prepaid consumption [3].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the introduction of the "Safe Consumption" initiative by Meituan, aimed at addressing the trust crisis in prepaid consumption across various industries, particularly in fitness and education sectors [1][2]. Group 1: Safe Consumption Initiative - Meituan launched a series of "Safe Consumption" products, including flexible payment and compensation solutions for the fitness sector, and a "Safe Learning" product for educational training, promoting a pay-per-use model [1][2]. - Over 35,000 stores in Beijing have joined the "Safe Consumption" initiative, with over 50% coverage in the fitness industry and over 40% in sports training [1]. - The initiative aims to enhance consumer trust by providing guarantees for funds and improving service experiences across various sectors, including beauty, fitness, and family entertainment [1][2]. Group 2: Government and Industry Support - The Beijing government has integrated prepaid consumption management into key tasks for building a safe and international consumption center, leveraging technology for regulatory innovation [2]. - The "Safe Learning" product allows for a pay-per-class model, enabling refunds for unused funds if service providers fail to deliver, thus reducing consumer concerns [3]. - The shift towards flexible, short-term payment models reflects changing consumer preferences, moving away from large upfront payments [3]. Group 3: Merchant Support and Future Plans - Meituan offers support measures for participating merchants, including online and offline traffic resources, exclusive branding materials, and platform subsidies [4]. - The company aims to create a safe, transparent, and sustainable consumption model, enhancing consumer rights and boosting confidence in spending [4]. - Future plans include continuous innovation in product offerings and collaboration with government and businesses to strengthen the "Safe Consumption" framework [4].

Core Points - The article discusses the launch of Meituan's "Safe Consumption" series products aimed at addressing the issues of prepaid consumption and enhancing consumer confidence in various service industries [1][2][3] - Meituan's solutions include flexible payment options and refund guarantees for fitness, education, and other service sectors, significantly impacting consumer spending behavior [1][2][3] Group 1: Safe Consumption Products - Meituan introduced "Flexible Payment" and "Refund Guarantee" solutions in the fitness sector, allowing consumers to purchase short-term fitness cards and enjoy protection against business closures [2][3] - The "Safe Learning" product in the education sector enables consumers to pay per class, with a refund option if the service provider fails to deliver [3][4] - Over 35,000 stores in Beijing have joined the "Safe Consumption" initiative, with over 50% coverage in the fitness industry and over 40% in sports training [1][2] Group 2: Consumer Experience and Industry Impact - The introduction of these products has led to a significant increase in consumer spending, with a reported over 62% year-on-year growth in service consumption in Beijing [1][2] - Consumers have shared positive experiences regarding refunds and service guarantees, indicating a shift towards more flexible and secure payment models [3][4] - The trend shows a growing preference among younger consumers for short-term, flexible payment options, moving away from large upfront payments [3][4] Group 3: Support for Participating Merchants - Meituan provides various support measures for merchants participating in the "Safe Consumption" program, including online and offline traffic resources and platform subsidies [8] - The collaboration with SaaS service providers in the fitness and education sectors aims to enhance service quality and operational efficiency for merchants [6][8] - The initiative is expected to promote long-term industry development by shifting from high-volume sales to refined service management [6][8]

Core Insights - China's GDP growth rate reached 5.3% in the first half of 2025, driven primarily by domestic demand, which contributed 68.8% to GDP growth, and final consumption expenditure, contributing 52% [1] - Per capita GDP in China has surpassed $13,000, with a notable shift towards service consumption, which is experiencing rapid growth [1] - The service retail market is evolving with new consumption models and trends, including personalized and diversified services, indicating a significant transformation in consumer behavior [1] Industry Overview - The service retail industry in China reached a scale of 7 trillion yuan in 2024, with an online penetration rate of only 9% [2] - Meituan has expanded its service retail sector by collaborating with 6.3 million merchants, achieving a year-on-year order volume growth of 77% [2] - In lower-tier cities, service retail transactions have seen an annual compound growth rate exceeding 90% since 2022, with user numbers growing over 60% [2] Consumer Trends - Recent data indicates a sustained increase in demand across various service retail sectors, with significant growth in searches for leisure activities such as hair treatments (122% increase), nail services (105% increase), and KTV (401% increase) [3] - New service offerings like indoor surfing and paddleboarding are gaining popularity among urban youth, reflecting changing consumer preferences [3] - Events like BilibiliWorld2025 have dramatically increased interest in related commercial activities, with some searches rising over 500% [3] Employment Impact - The service sector has added an average of 7.41 million jobs annually over the past decade, with significant employment in industries like massage therapy (700,000), hairstyling (400,000), and beauty services (240,000) [4] - Meituan aims to enhance the online presence of skilled workers in the service retail sector, facilitating better management and business opportunities [4] Future Outlook - The service retail sector is expected to continue its rapid growth, with a projected increase in online penetration to 25% by 2030, leading to the emergence of 300 brands with over a thousand stores [3] - As service consumption quality expectations rise, platforms like Meituan are focusing on diverse online products and technological capabilities to support the transformation of the service retail industry [5] - The ongoing shift towards higher quality service consumption is anticipated to unlock significant potential in the trillion-yuan service retail market [5]

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].