Core Insights - The article highlights the significant growth of instant retail during the 618 shopping festival, driven by consumer demand for lower price points and convenience [2][10]. Group 1: Instant Retail Growth - Instant retail has emerged as a new consumption trend during the 618 festival, with major players like Meituan and Alibaba participating actively [2][3]. - Meituan's instant retail brand, Meituan Flash Purchase, reported over 1 billion users placing orders during the 618 period, with transaction volumes doubling year-on-year in over 60 product categories [3][6]. - High-value items such as electronics and appliances saw transaction volumes increase by 200%, with nearly 850 retail brands experiencing a doubling in sales [3][6]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior and Preferences - Instant retail is attracting a younger demographic, with 80% of customers being new users during the 618 period, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards spontaneous and personalized shopping experiences [7][10]. - The average delivery time for high-value products during the 618 period was reported to be 28 minutes, with 70% of orders delivered within 30 minutes, showcasing the efficiency of instant retail [11][12]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The competition in traditional e-commerce is intense, but instant retail focuses on educating consumers rather than competing directly, aiming to capture new market segments [10]. - Instant retail is seen as a complementary channel to traditional e-commerce, providing a better service experience and meeting the demand for immediate consumption [10][11]. Group 4: Pricing and Promotions - The combination of government subsidies and platform discounts has led to lower prices for 3C products, making them more attractive to consumers compared to previous years [6][7]. - Instant retail brands are maintaining consistent pricing across different sales channels, ensuring competitiveness during promotional periods [6][10].