Meituan Instashopping plans to expand its “lightning warehouse” system – online-only fulfillment hubs optimized for rapid delivery – to digital appliances this year, following strong growth in convenience store partnerships, local media Jiemian News reported on March 18. Lightning warehouses operate independently of standard supply chains, accepting only online orders, offering a wider product selection and greater efficiency than traditional community supermarkets. A standard Meituan lightning warehouse stocks 6,000 to 10,000 stock keeping units (SKU), compared to a few hundred in conventional stores. Meituan partners with merchants to set up offline warehouses, providing online traffic, product selection guidance, and 30-minute delivery. The company reported 54% year-on-year order growth for the period from January to August 2024 in lower-tier markets, where Lightning Warehouses often prioritize budget-friendly items.