Market Forecast By Product Type (Food Grains, Bread, Bakery and Dairy Products, Fruits and Vegetables, Personal Care, Dry and Baking Products, Household Products, Meat and Meat Products, Others), By Platform (App-based, Web-based) And Competitive Landscape
Product Code: ETC189153 | Publication Date: May 2022 | Updated Date: Oct 2025 | Product Type: Market Research Report | |
Publisher: 6Wresearch | Author: Dhaval Chaurasia | No. of Pages: 60 | No. of Figures: 40 | No. of Tables: 7 |
According to 6Wresearch internal databases and industry insights, the China Online Grocery Market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1% during the forecast period (2025-2031).
Report Name | China Online Grocery Market |
Forecast period | 2025-2031 |
CAGR | 10.1% |
Growing Sector | Fresh Produce & Fast Commerce |
The China Online Grocery Market report thoroughly covers the market by product type, and platform type. The market report provides an unbiased and detailed analysis of ongoing market trends, opportunities/high growth areas, and market drivers, which would help stakeholders to devise and align their market strategies according to the current and future market dynamics.
China Online Grocery Industry is expected to attain major growth due to rapid urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, widespread adoption of smartphones and super‑apps, and consumer preference shifting toward convenience and fresh basket purchases. Online grocery spans everything from fresh fruits & vegetables, dairy & bakery, to household & personal care items. The rise of fast commerce (30‑minute or same day delivery) and dark store networks is accelerating demand. Improved logistics, cold chain infrastructure, and regulatory support are helping to overcome challenges of perishables and quality assurance.
Below mentioned are some prominent drivers and their influence on the market dynamics:
Drivers | Primary Segments Affected | Why it matters (evidence) |
Rising Middle Class & Urban Disposable Incomes | Fresh Produce, Bread/Bakery & Dairy Products, Fruits & Vegetables; App‑based & Web‑based Platforms | As incomes grow, consumers spend more on fresh, organic, premium groceries. E‑commerce share in grocery is increasing, especially in 1st/2nd tier & increasingly in 3rd/4th tier cities. |
Convenience & Fast Delivery Demand (Quick/Instant Retail) | All product types, especially FMCG & fresh; Platform Types – App‑based, Quick Commerce | Consumers want groceries delivered quickly. Quick commerce projected to grow ~7.9% CAGR to 2030 for China. |
Improved Logistics & Cold Chain Infrastructure | Fresh food, fruits & vegetables, dairy, meat; App‑based and \Web‑based platforms | To reduce spoilage, ensure quality, enable expansion into lower‑tier cities. |
Penetration in Lower‑tier Cities | Product types: all, with growth in dry & baking, household products; Platforms: Web & App | Many users in smaller cities are new to online delivered groceries; growth potential is large. |
Digital Payment & Tech Adoption | All product types; App‑based platforms especially | Seamless payment via mobile wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay), QR, super‑apps; enabling trust & ease. |
China Online Grocery Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.1% during the forecast period of 2025-2031. Key drivers of the market include increasing urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and growing consumer preference for convenience and time-saving shopping methods. The widespread use of smartphones and mobile payment systems has further boosted online grocery adoption. The expansion of quick commerce and integration of AI for personalized shopping experiences are also fostering market growth significantly across urban and semi-urban areas.
Below mentioned are some major restraints and their influence on the market dynamics:
Restraints | Primary Segments Affected | What this means (evidence) |
High Logistics & Last‑Mile Costs | Fresh produce, meat & dairy; App‑based quick delivery | Delivering perishables quickly and preserving quality is expensive; margin pressure. |
Food Safety & Quality Assurance Concerns | Meat & Meat Products; Fruits & Vegetables; Dairy & Bakery | Consumers demand traceability; regulatory scrutiny rising. |
Low Profit Margins for Fresh/Perishables | Fresh & Vegetables, Meat; Web‑based platforms with wider reach | Larger spoilage, returns; pricing pressure; consumer price sensitivity. |
Regulatory Oversight & Compliance (Food Safety, Online Sales) | All product types; Platforms; Regions | New guidelines for food safety supply chain; oversight for online sales. |
Competition & Customer Acquisition Costs | Product types less differentiated (household, dry goods); Platforms – App‑based | Heavy competition from Alibaba, JD.com, Pinduoduo, fresh/grocery startups; marketing/subsidy wars. |
Despite the growing demand, the Online Grocery Market in China faces few challenges. One is maintaining freshness and quality in perishable goods across long distances, especially in less developed logistics infrastructure regions. Another is balancing price competitiveness with profitability, particularly under fast delivery expectations. Additionally, there is the challenge of rising regulatory and compliance costs, especially around food safety, traceability, and consumer protection. Finally, there is fragmentation across regions and consumer preferences, requiring local tailoring of product assortments, delivery norms, and marketing.
Several prominent trends reshaping the China Online Grocery Market Growth include:
Some prominent investment opportunities in the market include:
Top five leading players dominating the China Online Grocery Market Share are:
Company Name | Alibaba Group |
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Established Year | 1999 |
Headquarters | Hangzhou, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Alibaba dominates the online grocery space through Taobao, Tmall, and Freshippo (Hema), offering fresh produce, dairy, meat, and fast delivery services.
Company Name | JD.com |
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Established Year | 1998 |
Headquarters | Beijing, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
JD.com is a major player in online grocery, known for its robust logistics, cold chain capabilities, and wide range of household and fresh food products.
Company Name | Pinduoduo Inc. |
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Established Year | 2015 |
Headquarters | Shanghai, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Pinduoduo leverages group buying and social commerce to sell groceries, offering competitive prices and expanding into fresh produce through Duo Duo Grocery.
Company Name | Yonghui Superstores |
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Established Year | 2001 |
Headquarters | Fuzhou, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Yonghui integrates online grocery delivery with its physical stores, focusing on fresh food, meat, dairy, and same-day delivery in urban areas.
Company Name | Meituan Maicai |
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Established Year | 2018 |
Headquarters | Beijing, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Meituan Maicai specializes in instant grocery delivery, offering a wide variety of fresh produce and essentials through its app-based platform.
According to Chinese government data, it has recently introduced stricter food safety & online grocery regulations to improve consumer protection. A March 2025 guideline from the General Office of the CPC Central Committee & State Council strengthens oversight across the full supply chain — from farms to delivery — requiring traceability in agricultural products, tighter licensing, and stricter rules for transport, storage, and handling including bulk/liquid foods. It also holds e‑commerce platforms & livestream sellers more accountable and integrates online/offline supervision of food sales.
The China Online Grocery Market is estimated to increase significantly in the coming years. Growth will be driven by higher demand for fresh and organic offerings, more penetration in lower‑tier cities, and greater speed in delivery services. The continuing improvement of logistics and cold chain systems will reduce waste and loss, improving margins. Regulatory frameworks, especially around food safety and traceability, will tighten, favoring platforms that invest ahead. Consumer expectations will also push platforms toward more sustainable packaging, transparent sourcing, and omnichannel convenience.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments and their leading categories.
According to Sachin, Senior Research Analyst, 6Wresearch, the fruits and vegetables segment dominates due to increasing consumer preference for fresh produce delivered quickly. Urbanization and rising health consciousness are encouraging users to buy fresh, organic items online rather than through traditional channels.
The app-based platform dominates the China Online Grocery Market Share as it supports personalized recommendations, integrated payments, and fast delivery features. Consumers increasingly prefer mobile apps for grocery shopping due to convenience, real-time tracking, and integration with digital wallets and loyalty programs, making them more engaging than web interfaces.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments
1 Executive Summary |
2 Introduction |
2.1 Key Highlights of the Report |
2.2 Report Description |
2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation |
2.4 Research Methodology |
2.5 Assumptions |
3 China Online Grocery Market Overview |
3.1 China Country Macro Economic Indicators |
3.2 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 & 2031F |
3.3 China Online Grocery Market - Industry Life Cycle |
3.4 China Online Grocery Market - Porter's Five Forces |
3.5 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Product Type, 2021 & 2031F |
3.6 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Platform, 2021 & 2031F |
4 China Online Grocery Market Dynamics |
4.1 Impact Analysis |
4.2 Market Drivers |
4.2.1 Increasing internet penetration and smartphone usage in China |
4.2.2 Growing urban population and changing consumer lifestyles |
4.2.3 Rising demand for convenience and time-saving solutions in shopping |
4.3 Market Restraints |
4.3.1 Logistics and infrastructure challenges in delivering fresh and perishable goods |
4.3.2 Concerns over food safety and quality in online grocery purchases |
4.3.3 Competition from traditional brick-and-mortar grocery stores |
5 China Online Grocery Market Trends |
6 China Online Grocery Market, By Types |
6.1 China Online Grocery Market, By Product Type |
6.1.1 Overview and Analysis |
6.1.2 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Product Type, 2021 - 2031F |
6.1.3 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Food Grains, 2021 - 2031F |
6.1.4 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Bread, Bakery and Dairy Products, 2021 - 2031F |
6.1.5 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Fruits and Vegetables, 2021 - 2031F |
6.1.6 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Personal Care, 2021 - 2031F |
6.1.7 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Dry and Baking Products, 2021 - 2031F |
6.1.8 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Household Products, 2021 - 2031F |
6.1.9 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Others, 2021 - 2031F |
6.1.10 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Others, 2021 - 2031F |
6.2 China Online Grocery Market, By Platform |
6.2.1 Overview and Analysis |
6.2.2 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By App-based, 2021 - 2031F |
6.2.3 China Online Grocery Market Revenues & Volume, By Web-based, 2021 - 2031F |
7 China Online Grocery Market Import-Export Trade Statistics |
7.1 China Online Grocery Market Export to Major Countries |
7.2 China Online Grocery Market Imports from Major Countries |
8 China Online Grocery Market Key Performance Indicators |
8.1 Average order value per customer |
8.2 Customer retention rate |
8.3 Fulfillment and delivery time efficiency |
8.4 Percentage of repeat purchases |
8.5 Customer satisfaction scores |
9 China Online Grocery Market - Opportunity Assessment |
9.1 China Online Grocery Market Opportunity Assessment, By Product Type, 2021 & 2031F |
9.2 China Online Grocery Market Opportunity Assessment, By Platform, 2021 & 2031F |
10 China Online Grocery Market - Competitive Landscape |
10.1 China Online Grocery Market Revenue Share, By Companies, 2024 |
10.2 China Online Grocery Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating and Technical Parameters |
11 Company Profiles |
12 Recommendations |
13 Disclaimer |