This source, a newsletter excerpt, discusses the rising popularity and impact of mini programs in China, particularly how they are transforming the retail sector. Mini programs are described as in-app applications accessible within widely used platforms like WeChat, Alipay, and Baidu, offering benefits such as no installation or account creation required. The text highlights how these programs are enabling brick-and-mortar retailers to effectively integrate online functionalities, attract new customers, and mitigate issues like showrooming, contrasting this with the limitations of native apps. Examples like the pork chain Qian Dama and the fruit chain Pagoda illustrate how mini programs facilitate features like real-time inventory checks, mobile ordering, and innovative strategies like group buying, leveraging the social aspects of platforms like WeChat for viral promotion and customer engagement.