Market Scale and Growth Momentum
In 2025, instant retail has evolved from concept to everyday reality. Meituan Flash's non-food instant retail daily orders exceeded 27 million orders, making it the world's largest goods instant retail platform. Market forecasts indicate the instant retail market will exceed 1.4 trillion yuan in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 25% over the next five years.
According to the Instant Retail Industry Development Report by the China Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, China's instant retail market is expected to surpass 1 trillion yuan in 2026 and reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030.
Lower-Tier Markets as New Growth Engine
In 2025, instant retail growth in lower-tier markets reached 58.6%, 2-3 times that of first and second-tier cities. County-level market penetration is only 10-15%, while first and second-tier cities exceed 40%, leaving over 70% white space.
Industry projections show China's overall instant retail scale will exceed 1 trillion yuan in 2026, with county-level instant retail market potentially exceeding 380 billion yuan and annual growth of 62%.
Consumer Demographics and Scenario Expansion
Nearly 70% of Meituan Flash users are post-90s generation, with core consumer groups highly aligned with FMCG brand target customers. Consumption scenarios have expanded from "food delivery" to emergency medicine, fresh groceries, and more, with unplanned purchases exceeding 60%.
Third and fourth-tier cities and counties cover 70% of China's population and 60% of total retail sales. Instant retail users exceed 300 million, with annual order growth of 40-80%.
Brands Entering the Instant Retail Track
UR has reached strategic cooperation with Meituan Flash, officially entering the instant retail trillion-yuan track. Women's and men's wear categories have shown explosive growth, with footwear and apparel categories continuing to expand. Fashion instant retail achieves "store-to-store" and "store-to-home" dual touchpoints.
Sources
- Sohu — Instant Retail Trillion-Yuan War: https://www.sohu.com/a/1021839923_122622629
- China Economic News — UR Partners with Meituan Flash: https://www.cet.com.cn/xwsd/10361960.shtml
- Sohu — Instant Retail Opportunities in County Markets: https://www.sohu.com/a/1021659360_122782914










