Retail and customer review platforms in China are integrating AI into their services, resulting in improved consumer experiences and helping small businesses thrive in the digital age.
Apps and Internet-based platforms have become fundamental tools for running a small business in today's China, as they allow consumers to find restaurants, products and services they might otherwise never have come across.
Business operators on Wulin Night Market, one of the busiest night markets in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province, say that these services are essential for survival in an increasingly online world.
"We joined online platforms in 2021, and overall foot traffic is declining now. Without online platforms, it's very hard to run a restaurant today. Consumers rely on platforms to make choices. We're watching to see which ones actually support small businesses," said Yan Xiaosa, a restaurant manager.
One commonly used app is Amap Street Stars, a location-based services platform by Chinese tech giant Alibaba. This year, it has rolled out a major update for the app, using AI algorithms to rank offline destinations including restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions.
Company officials said the platform is testing new technologies to bring everyday consumption back to life.
"The Amap Street Stars Ranking is the first to be built on real verified store visits, allowing it to more accurately reflect how businesses are actually operating. The core of the upgrade is to help users move from online information to real, in-store experiences," said Liu Li, head of the business growth department at Amap Street Stars.
Small businesses have welcomed the change, saying it helps them stand out among the crowd.
"Since 2025, competition has intensified -- for traffic, customers, and price. After platforms upgraded their rating systems, our revenue rose by about 20 percent," said Zhao Lifang, another restaurant manager in Hangzhou.
"About 90 percent of China's seven million catering outlets are small businesses. Supporting them matters for jobs and livelihoods and seeing more local eateries on these rankings makes a real difference," said Chen Xinhua, president of China Hospitality Association.
According to economists, the upgraded services represent the next step in fostering a better market for these small businesses, as well as their customers.
"Platforms used to match supply and demand. With AI, they're starting to ensure quality. That means algorithms need to be fair and responsible, protecting both businesses and consumers in order to support more sustainable consumption growth," said Yuan Zhe, deputy director of the Institute of Industrial Economics of Zhejiang University.
Data showed that in the first ten months of 2025, China's retail sales rose 4.3 percent year on year. Service retail grew 5.3 percent, and online retail was up 9.6 percent year on year, signaling that service and digital consumption are becoming key engines of domestic demand.
AI-powered service platforms improve consumer experiences in China
