Narrator: Wang Pu, Party chief and co-founder of Chi Forest

At 5 a.m., when the city is not yet awake, Zhao Bo, a smart cabinet stocker, has already started taking inventory. The restocking list in his hand is no longer just a simple checklist but a "map of demand" woven from data. In recent years, Zhao has witnessed firsthand the expanding network of urban smart retail outlets and has felt the profound shifts in China's consumer demand from "accessible convenience" to "personalized needs," and from "one size fits all" to "a tailored fit for every individual."

From the factory to a consumer's shopping bag, the journey of bottled beverages may seem like a simple process, but it reflects the structural upgrade underway in China's consumer market. Consumer demands have shifted from "having a drink" to "having a quality drink." Low sugar, low fat, functional benefits, innovative flavors, and emotional resonance have become new keywords in beverage consumption. This shift has compelled the supply side to move away from traditional production and distribution models toward a higher-level, data-driven approach where products and demand meet each other.

This alignment is not based on subjective assumptions but on real-time, comprehensive product data insights across multiple scenarios. The smart cabinets that Zhao restocks daily are a microcosm of this flexible and customized model at the retail level. These data touchpoints, distributed across campuses, office buildings, gyms, and communities, record consumer preferences. The data flows back to research and development and supply chain hubs, where intelligent analysis creates consumption profiles for different scenarios, improving operational efficiency. For example, to meet the demand for "light burden" in office settings, we expanded our selection of sugar-free teas and electrolyte drinks, while the latest trendy flavors are prioritized for university campuses to cater to young people's desire for social connection and novelty.

Behind this lies a thriving new business model. Market innovation naturally aligns with policy direction. The recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan propose "developing a batch of high-profile new consumption scenarios with broad appeal." Our work involves placing products in the minute details of daily life — hallways, break rooms, gyms — while leveraging product data to make supply-demand matching more precise and immediate.

At dusk, Zhao wraps up his work, but the smart cabinets scattered across the city remain lit, waiting to be opened again. The China General Chamber of Commerce predicts that in 2026, the total retail sales of consumer goods will achieve steady growth of around 4.5 percent, with the immense potential of consumption upgrading continuing to unfold.

From the lights in the early morning warehouse to the data screens in the R&D center, to the retail terminals spread across the city, this entire process connects not only improvements in efficiency but also the vibrant consumer activity created through the participation of countless ordinary people.