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]