I. Summary of Key Points
This report exposes the hidden pain points beneath the seemingly convenient service of “delivery within 30 minutes” in the current trillion-dollar instant retail sector. The domestic instant retail market is on the verge of reaching a trillion in size, with Meituan planning to acquire Dingdong Maicai, Alibaba making moves into Pupu, and various platforms competing fiercely for users by focusing on the core competitiveness of fast delivery. However, unlike food delivery riders, who have undergone multiple rounds of public scrutiny and regulatory reforms, resulting in relatively transparent rules, fresh food delivery workers have become the “fish that slip through the net” of industry regulation. Common issues include being paid only 1 yuan after completing 800 deliveries after all fees have been deducted; recruitment promises of free accommodation and meals actually result in the deduction of rental and accommodation costs; significant wage deductions upon resignation; and no compensation for carrying heavy loads up stairs. Essentially, during the price war for market share, platforms shift all the cost pressures onto the most vulnerable riders. Even though nearly 30 million new workers in this sector are set to be included in the national occupational injury insurance program starting in July 2026, the labor rights of fresh food delivery workers are still far from being adequately protected.
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II. Detailed Analysis
1. Why are fresh food delivery workers considered to have a lower status than food delivery riders?
Many people think that delivering food and fresh goods is essentially the same, but the industry standards for fresh food delivery are at least three years behind those for food delivery. The food delivery industry has faced years of issues such as algorithmic exploitation, late delivery penalties, and riders being held accountable for slow service, which have led to widespread public criticism and several rounds of regulatory reforms. As a result, platforms now dare not deduct wages arbitrarily or treat riders unfairly. In contrast, the fresh food delivery sector has only recently become popular, and attention has mainly focused on the user experience of delivering food within half an hour. Regulatory oversight has not kept up, allowing platforms to prioritize cost-cutting over the rights of their workers.
2. Why does delivering 800 orders result in only 1 yuan in net pay?
Consider Wang Wei’s salary to understand the absurdity of these practices: After completing 800 orders and earning nearly 3000 yuan, 900 yuan goes for rent and 690 yuan for the electric bike, with additional unspecified fines. This means the rider only gets 1 yuan left after all deductions. These costs should be borne by the platform, not the rider. According to analysts, the front-end warehouses (small storage facilities) used by fresh food delivery platforms are costly and have low margins. To make a 0.4% profit, they need to process 1500 orders per day with an average order value of 75 yuan, which is like making a 40-cent profit on every 100 yuan sold. To compete on price and offer discounts, platforms shift the costs to the riders, who have to pay for their own electric bikes, accommodation, and work uniforms. Even small expenses like shopping bags and “system technology fees” are deducted from their wages.
3. Platforms’ focus on fast delivery comes at a heavy cost for the riders
All fresh food delivery platforms are competing to deliver within 30 minutes, and users are accustomed to such service. If a platform is slow, they will switch to a competitor. To ensure delivery within 30 minutes regardless of the weather or traffic, platforms need to maintain a large number of riders near their stores/warehouses. Unlike food delivery, where riders can choose to work or not, fresh food delivery platforms use tactics such as reducing order prices and imposing high departure costs to keep riders committed. For example, orders from before three months may have their prices halved, and riders may lose a significant portion of their wages if they resign. This effectively binds riders to the platform, ensuring its fast delivery reputation while shifting the costs to them.
4. Riders hoped to earn more in peak seasons and stabilize earnings in off-peak times, but the rules restrict their flexibility
Many experienced riders have found a flexible work arrangement: they earn more during the summer food delivery peak season and switch to working in fresh food delivery stores in winter. However, the new rules for fresh food delivery platforms eliminate this flexibility, requiring fixed shifts and punctual check-ins, which are stricter than typical office schedules. Resignation also comes with significant wage deductions. This turns what was supposed to be a flexible job into a less flexible one.
5. Despite new occupational injury protections, riders still lack adequate support
The national occupational injury insurance program, which will be implemented in July 2026, is a positive development. However, it only provides basic protection for riders. Issues such as arbitrary fee deductions, mandatory rental costs, and no compensation for carrying heavy loads remain unregulated. Riders, who have fought for transparent salaries, reasonable evaluations, and complaint channels in the food delivery industry, still do not have these benefits in the fresh food delivery sector. The profits from the growing market are being taken by platforms and investors, leaving the riders with little protection for their hard work.
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In summary, the report highlights the challenges faced by fresh food delivery workers in the rapidly expanding instant retail sector, where the focus on cost-cutting and speed often comes at the expense of their rights and well-being.