Meituan’s Recent Strategic Initiatives and Market Context

Meituan (03690.HK) has announced several new initiatives aimed at enhancing the authenticity of its restaurant listings and leveraging artificial intelligence to improve the customer experience on its food‑delivery platform.

1. Launch of the “One‑Take Shooting” Store Authenticity Verification Feature

  • Announcement date: 29 January 2026
  • Feature overview: The platform now requires participating restaurants to upload a continuous, unedited video that fully showcases the storefront, signage, and operating environment.
  • Pilot rollout: The pilot program is active in eight cities across China, allowing Meituan to evaluate the effectiveness of the feature before a broader deployment.
  • Implication for sellers: Caterers on the platform must comply with the new video submission requirement, which is intended to reduce misinformation about store appearances and improve consumer trust.

2. Artificial Intelligence Initiatives for Fine‑Dining Restaurants

  • Vice‑President statement: Wei Wei, Vice President of Meituan, announced on 27 January 2026 that the company will deploy AI and smart‑management technologies to create a more authentic online representation of fine‑dining establishments.
  • Objective: The AI application is designed to enable users to connect with high‑quality dining options more effectively, potentially increasing orders from premium restaurants.
  • Strategic focus: This initiative signals Meituan’s intent to differentiate its fine‑dining segment from generic food‑delivery services by offering a richer, technology‑enhanced user experience.

3. Market Performance and Investor Sentiment

  • Stock price: On 27 January 2026, Meituan’s share price closed at 98.35 HKD.
  • Market capitalization: 600,610,439,168 HKD.
  • Price‑to‑earnings ratio: 17.8.
  • Recent market activity: The Hong Kong market experienced a 5 % increase over six consecutive sessions, with the Hang Seng Index reaching just above 27,800 points. This broader market rally provides a favorable backdrop for Meituan’s announcements.
  • Short‑selling activity: On the day of the fine‑dining AI announcement, Meituan shares were short‑sold for approximately 506.67 million HKD, indicating that some investors may be weighing the company’s recent initiatives against its valuation.

4. External Corporate Movements

  • Tencent’s divestment: On 27 January 2026, Tencent announced its exit from investments in JD.com and Meituan. The move may alter the strategic partnership dynamics for Meituan but does not directly impact the company’s operational initiatives.

5. Summary of Strategic Impact

  • The “One‑Take Shooting” verification feature addresses concerns over misleading store information, potentially reducing consumer complaints and increasing platform credibility.
  • The AI‑driven fine‑dining strategy positions Meituan to capture a niche market segment that values authenticity and quality.
  • The combination of these initiatives aligns with Meituan’s broader mission as a web‑based shopping platform offering local services, dining, and delivery solutions.

These developments collectively underscore Meituan’s continued focus on improving service quality and leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience, while navigating the dynamic competitive landscape of China’s online retail and food‑delivery sectors.