Core Insights - The potential for instant retail consumption has been widely recognized across e-commerce and local service platforms, with a projected order volume in the instant delivery service industry reaching approximately 95.78 billion orders by 2026, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.0% from 2021 to 2026 [3][5] Industry Overview - The demand for instant consumption among student groups is identified as an untapped market, with significant growth in the need for snacks and daily necessities within campus settings [3][5] - Traditional retail models face challenges such as fragmented supply, limited service hours, and insufficient price competitiveness, making it difficult to fully meet the diverse instant needs of students [3][5] Company Initiatives - Meituan is reportedly preparing a new instant retail project called "Campus Mini Warehouse," aimed at establishing small flash warehouses on or near university campuses to cater to high-frequency demands for snacks, beverages, stationery, and daily necessities [4][5] - The Campus Mini Warehouse initiative focuses on creating an integrated system of "products-fulfillment-services" tailored to student consumption habits, promoting "instant ordering and quick delivery" [5][6] - The project is currently in the recruitment phase for flash warehouse and delivery partners, prioritizing those with campus resources or operational experience [5][6] - Meituan's flash warehouse network has exceeded 30,000 locations, with plans to surpass 100,000 by 2027, targeting a market scale of 200 billion yuan [5][6] Market Strategy - The Campus Mini Warehouse aims to address the "last mile" delivery challenge, particularly in universities with strict delivery regulations, by utilizing a front warehouse model to reduce delivery distances [6] - The initiative leverages big data for dynamic restocking and optimizes SKU structures to focus on essential student goods, aiming for a competitive edge through low-cost logistics and high coverage [6] - Meituan's strategy indicates a broader ambition in instant retail, potentially integrating the Campus Mini Warehouse with other services like food delivery and group buying, thereby attracting and retaining a young consumer base [6]