How the Pandemic Accelerated Retail Ops, Remote Work, and Digital Services

Retail Operations Shift

During the pandemic, consumer behavior moved online, forcing retailers to accelerate digital transformation, integrate omnichannel strategies, and focus on inventory and operational management rather than pure growth.

SuNing leveraged its full‑channel, full‑category retail layout to ensure product supply across multiple channels, using self‑built logistics to deliver to over 300 cities, achieving a 269% increase in delivery volume during the Spring Festival.

Community Group Buying Emerges

Local governments, such as the Business Bureau of Jining City, Shandong Province, promoted community group‑buying platforms to expand agricultural product distribution, allowing free posting of produce and direct supply from farms to residents.

This model reduces inventory costs, lowers delivery expenses, and enhances user engagement, though many e‑commerce platforms still need more flexible and refined operational management.

Online Medical Services Expand

Online medical platforms grew rapidly, with China’s remote‑medical market projected to reach 345 billion CNY by 2022, driven by a 27.63% CAGR.

SuNing’s "Health Consultation" feature launched in January 2020, offering free health advice, disease knowledge, and medication information, while AI and big‑data technologies are expected to further digitize healthcare services.

Remote Work Solutions Accelerate

Retail employees adopted remote work, relying on platforms like SuNing’s "SuNing Bean Sprout" IM‑based system, which integrates OA, email, and business applications, supports voice, video, large groups, and offers mobile app deployment across native, H5, and Weex formats.

The remote‑work market in China grew from 2 billion CNY in 2012 to about 80 billion CNY in 2018, indicating strong post‑pandemic demand for digital transformation.

AI and Big Data Power Online Education

Online education user numbers reached 232 million in mid‑2019, accounting for 27.2% of internet users, with market size expected to hit 543.35 billion CNY in 2020.

Emerging technologies such as facial recognition, OCR, and deep‑learning‑based grading are being integrated to personalize learning, monitor engagement, and automate assessment.

Gaming Market Shows Resilience

Despite lockdowns, gaming revenue surged, with top‑10 mobile games on Apple’s chart increasing revenue by over 40% during the Spring Festival week, and overall market sales reaching 230.88 billion CNY in 2019.

5G, AR/VR, and cloud‑gaming are expected to further expand the industry’s growth potential.

Online Fitness Becomes a Trend

Fitness platforms saw a 430% increase in video views in early February 2020, with live‑streamed workout sessions attracting over 56.5 million participants.

Traditional gyms faced closures, prompting a shift toward online brands, live streaming, and e‑commerce of fitness equipment, supported by big‑data and AI insights.

Overall, the pandemic acted as a catalyst for digital transformation across multiple sectors, highlighting the importance of agile operations, technology integration, and innovative business models for future growth.