On January 1, some netizens complained on social platforms that the fresh food platform Hema "quietly charged 1 yuan for packaging" on the first day of 2024, and netizens complained that it "changed the rules at will" and "looked ugly", which caused heated discussions.
On January 2, the relevant person in charge of Hema responded to a reporter from Nandu Bay Finance Society that Hema has gradually launched biodegradable takeaway packaging bags in the fresh delivery scenes of Hema across the country since this year, striving to reduce the impact on the environment in the takeaway scene. The person in charge also said that after receiving the goods, customers can choose whether they need packaging bags according to their actual conditions, and Hema will refund them according to the customer's specific demands.
The reporter of Nandu Bay Finance Society noticed that at present, an additional packaging fee of 1 yuan will be charged for the delivery of goods placed on the Hema APP, but the packaging fee will still not be charged when placing an order in the Hema Fresh Mini Program. There is also Sam who also charges a packaging fee of 1 yuan, and at the same time, the Dingdong grocery platform said that it is currently a trial period for free packaging fees, however, Pupu Supermarket and Little Elephant Supermarket platforms have not charged packaging fees for the time being.
Starting this year, Hema will charge a packaging fee of 1 yuan
Netizens complained about "ugly eating" and "changing the rules at will"
On January 1, many netizens posted on social platforms complaining that Hema began to charge a mandatory delivery and packaging fee of 1 yuan on New Year's Day this year, and said that Hema "changed the rules at will" and "looked ugly". Some netizens said that Hema did not explicitly indicate to consumers in advance that it would charge 1 yuan for packaging, "only to find out after paying, call to inquire, customer service repeatedly emphasized that it is to ensure that the goods can be delivered in full before receiving", the netizen also said that the packaging fee cannot be refunded.
In addition, some netizens complained that they placed an order for a package of rice on the Hema APP, and it also came with a small packaging bag, and the netizen questioned that the packaging bag was very chicken, "I found customer service and made up my 1 yuan gift certificate." A netizen who claimed to be a Hema delivery person commented that if a customer buys a large item and the bag can't fit it, he must also give the customer a bag, "If you don't give the bag and be complained, the delivery person will be fined 100 yuan."
Screenshot of social platform
Measured:
Placing an order on the Hema APP for delivery requires a packaging fee
However, it is not currently charged on the Mini Program
On January 2, a reporter from Nandu Bay Finance Society found that when ordering goods on the Hema APP and choosing delivery services, you do need to pay an extra 1 yuan for packaging, but you only need to pay 1 yuan for packaging when you buy 1 piece or multiple products at the same time.
According to the Hema platform, "In order to ensure that your goods are delivered properly, we will use environmentally friendly packaging materials such as plastic bags to package the goods. At the same time, according to the national 'plastic restriction order' and other relevant policy requirements, we will charge for packaging materials appropriately, and the charging standard is: 1 yuan / order. ”
Screenshot of Hema APP
The Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the former State Administration for Industry and Commerce issued the "Administrative Measures for the Paid Use of Plastic Shopping Bags in Commodity Retail Establishments", which pointed out that commodity retail establishments should provide consumers with plastic shopping bags for a fee.
According to public information, the "Administrative Measures for the Paid Use of Plastic Shopping Bags in Commodity Retail Establishments" came into force on June 1, 2008.
Hema customer service also said that due to system reasons in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, WeChat mini programs will not charge packaging fees on January 2.
However, the reporter of Nandu Bay Finance Society noticed that consumers in Guangzhou and Shenzhen do not need to pay packaging fees for placing orders using the Hema Mini Program, in addition, consumers in Beijing and Nanjing also told reporters that they do not need to pay a packaging fee of 1 yuan for placing an order in the Hema Fresh Mini Program.
There is no need to pay a packaging fee to place an order on the Hema Fresh Mini Program. Beijing on the left and Nanjing on the right.
Hema :
Hema launched biodegradable plastic bags for takeaway scenarios
Customers can choose whether they need packaging bags according to the actual situation
On January 2, the relevant person in charge of Hema responded to a reporter from Nandu Bay Finance Society that Hema will gradually launch biodegradable takeaway packaging bags in the fresh delivery scene of Hema across the country from January 1, 2024. The packaging bags launched this time are made of the same material as the degradable plastic bags currently provided by most Hema fresh stores, striving to reduce the impact on the environment in the takeaway scene at the same time, and this move will also be the first time that a domestic retail enterprise has popularized biodegradable packaging bags in the takeaway scene.
The person in charge said that at present, the degradable plastic bags used in most Hema fresh stores are mainly biodegradable packaging bags composed of materials such as PBAT and PLA. In the current national standard GB/T20197 "Definition, Classification, Marking and Degradation Performance Requirements for Degradable Plastics" published in 2006, degradable plastics are divided into four categories: biodegradable plastics, thermal-oxygen degradable plastics, photodegradable plastics, and compostable plastics. Compared with photodegradable plastics commonly found in takeaway scenarios, biodegradable plastics (biodegradable plastics) are more environmentally friendly.
Hema said that the use of single-use plastics in retail scenarios is a complex and sustainable development issue, involving multiple links such as food loss, social costs, and solid waste disposal. As a retail company, Hema strives to drive positive environmental improvement and climate change mitigation actions through market actions. With the launch of biodegradable plastic bags, Hema will charge a packaging fee of 1 yuan in the takeaway scene at the same time. Hema expects that the launch of biodegradable plastic bags in the takeaway scene will reduce the use of thousands of tons of traditional PE plastic bags every year.
In response to the most frequently asked question by customers about "can plastic bags be returned", Hema recently said that after receiving the goods, customers can choose whether to need packaging bags according to their actual situation. For example, for online orders that only purchase large items without packaging bags, Hema will refund the packaging fee for such special orders according to the customer's request based on the customer's actual unused materials after the order is delivered.
Correlation:
Dingdong said that at this stage, it is a trial period for free packaging fees
Sam's will also charge a $1 packaging fee
Hema has started to charge packaging fees, but what about other fresh food platforms?
On January 2, a reporter from Nandu Bay Finance Society placed an order for product delivery in Pupu Supermarket and Meituan (Little Elephant Supermarket) and found that there is no need to charge packaging fees at present. The customer service of Pupu Supermarket responded to the reporter that Pupu has no secondary packaging service and does not charge packaging fees.
Sam's customer service said that Sam's will also use plastic bags to package the delivery products, and the charging standard is 1 yuan per order. In addition, Sam's customer service said that if the purchased goods need to be stored at low temperature, Sam's will use cold chain packaging to keep the goods warm throughout the whole process through thermal insulation bags or ice packs, and accordingly, an additional packaging fee of 1 yuan will be charged.
The reporter of Nandu Bay Finance Society placed an order for several products on the Dingdong shopping app and found that there was no need to charge a packaging fee, however, the item of "packaging fee" would appear on the settlement page. The Dingdong grocery platform shows that "in accordance with the requirements of relevant policies such as the national 'plastic restriction order', merchants are not allowed to provide plastic bags for free." In order to ensure the smooth delivery of the goods, we will provide plastic bag packaging services for a fee. It is currently a free trial period, 0 yuan for you, thank you for your understanding. ”
It is worth noting that the packaging fee for Dingdong is also 1 yuan. After the free trial period, will Dingdong buy vegetables charge 1 yuan for packaging like a Hema ? The reporter of Nandu Bay Finance Society asked the person in charge of Dingdong to learn about the situation, but as of press time, there has been no reply.
Screenshot of Dingdong grocery shopping APP
Written by: Feng Jiaju, reporter of Nandu Bay Finance Agency