vol.112：The Counterattack：Chinese Traditional Supermarkets

Traditional Chinese supermarkets like Yonghui and RT Mart are launching a rapid "counterattack" to survive the intense competition from Alibaba’s tech-driven New Retail and community buying platforms. To overcome significant financial losses, Yonghui has pivoted by internalizing its technology development, hiring top engineers to build a custom operating system that maximizes staff efficiency through algorithmic task management. Meanwhile, RT Mart is rolling out a new store format that streamlines inventory while integrating diverse services like laundry and key cutting into their digital delivery ecosystem. These physical retailers are redesigning their layouts to prioritize logistical efficiency, adopting overhead conveyor systems similar to those used by Freshippo to lower delivery costs. This strategic shift highlights the remarkable speed of Chinese enterprises in blending high-tech infrastructure with physical grocery operations to regain market relevance.