

Core Viewpoint - The takeaway from the articles is that the competition in the food delivery industry is shifting from a price war to a focus on quality and service, as major platforms like Meituan, JD, and Taobao are implementing strategies centered around enhancing quality rather than engaging in low-cost competition [1][5][6]. Summary by Sections Industry Trends - The food delivery market is witnessing a collective shift towards quality as a core strategy, moving away from the previous "price war" mentality [1][5]. - Major players are emphasizing quality and service, with Meituan launching marketing tool reforms to combat low-quality, low-price competition [1][2]. Meituan's Initiatives - Meituan has introduced a series of reforms aimed at reducing the emphasis on low-cost marketing activities, including lowering the weight of promotional activities in traffic recommendations and implementing automatic warnings for excessive marketing efforts [1][2][3]. - The company reported a 15% decrease in merchant subsidy investments for promotional activities and an 85% reduction in the number of merchants using large discount promotions after the optimization [2]. Merchant Feedback and Challenges - Despite the reforms, some merchants still face challenges related to reliance on subsidies and the pressure of low-quality competition, indicating that the issue of "internal competition" remains unresolved [3][4]. - Merchants have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and the negative impact of low-price competition on their businesses [3]. Quality Improvement Measures - Meituan is focusing on enhancing the quality of offerings by adjusting its traffic system to favor quality merchants and products, while also implementing strict measures against deceptive marketing practices [3][4]. - The platform is utilizing data on store characteristics, product information, and customer reviews to highlight unique selling points and assist merchants in transitioning from price competition to quality competition [4]. Market Outlook - The overall trend in the food delivery industry is towards a more mature and rational competition model that prioritizes quality and service over price [5][6]. - Analysts suggest that the long-term sustainability of the industry relies on improving overall quality and ensuring that high-quality merchants have opportunities to thrive without solely depending on marketing tactics [6].