“618”电商战提早打响，战线再度拉长

Group 1 - The e-commerce industry is entering a new phase of competition, with platforms intensifying their rivalry during the "618" shopping festival, which is more competitive than in previous years [1] - Douyin Mall announced its promotional rules for the 618 event, which will run from May 13 to June 18, featuring significant cash subsidies and traffic resources [1] - Tmall's 618 event has introduced a single official promotion method with discounts starting at 15% and going up to 50% [1] Group 2 - Kuaishou E-commerce has launched its 618 promotional campaign with an extended marketing period from May 1 to May 24, leveraging various consumer events [2] - JD.com has also advanced its promotional timeline, starting a pre-sale event on May 13, leading up to the official 618 event on May 31 [2] - The overall duration of the 618 promotional activities for various platforms has increased compared to the previous year, with Tmall and JD.com extending their promotional periods significantly [2] Group 3 - The lengthening of promotional periods reflects a strategic shift among e-commerce platforms, as overall sales during the 618 period saw a 7% year-on-year decline [3] - The decline in sales is attributed to the normalization of promotions, which has diminished consumer perception of scarcity associated with the 618 event [3] - Platforms are extending promotional periods to maintain sales levels in response to the diminishing impact of traditional promotional events [3] Group 4 - The competitive logic among platforms has shifted from a focus on "lowest prices" to "value for money," with JD.com emphasizing affordability and Tmall simplifying its rules [6] - Strategic collaborations, such as between Tmall and Xiaohongshu, aim to enhance the integration of content and commerce, improving user experience [6] - The 618 event is seen as a critical test for new retail models, focusing on the integration of content and product offerings, as well as differentiated competition among platforms [6]