China food delivery giant Meituan to hire 300,000 additional riders for winter, according to report

Chinese food delivery giant Meituan plans to spend 100 million yuan (US$14 million) to hire around 300,000 food delivery riders in preparation for a surge in demand during winter, according to a local media report.

Much of the recruitment funding will go towards hiring more food couriers in cities including Beijing and Shanghai, according to a report by state-backed local media outlet Shanghai Securities News.

The company will also bolster hiring in northern and northeastern parts of China, where its army of couriers is being stretched thin by booming meal orders amid outbreaks of winter snow.

Meituan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Expanding the size of the courier team will help Meituan with delivery efficiency at a time when increasing meal orders are pushing up demand for delivery riders, ” said Chen Liteng, an analyst at market consultancy 100ec.cn.

Meituan is offering over 10,000 yuan referral bonuses for existing riders who help to recruit new team members. It is also working with talent agencies, supported by local governments, to expand the reach of its recruitment, according to the report.