Core Insights - The 618 shopping festival this year saw 453 brands achieving over 100 million in sales, a 24% increase year-on-year, with beauty, apparel, home appliances, and digital products leading in transaction scale and growth [1] - Despite the impressive sales figures, the event faced significant criticism, being labeled as the "most chaotic" edition ever, with numerous operational issues reported by both users and merchants [2][4] Group 1: User Experience Issues - Many 88VIP members reported receiving lower discounts compared to non-members during the event, leading to complaints about "data killing familiarity" [6][12] - Users experienced difficulties with the "billion subsidy" channel, where they suspected counterfeit products and faced challenges in the return process due to third-party sellers [9][12] - The introduction of the "high refund rate crowd screening" feature has been criticized for infringing on consumer rights, as it may penalize legitimate users who frequently exercise their right to return [20] Group 2: Merchant Challenges - Merchants reported excessive service fees during the 618 event, with one merchant stating that a 184 yuan order incurred 26 different service fees, significantly impacting their profits [21][23] - Many merchants expressed frustration over the platform's focus on new user acquisition at the expense of existing members, leading to a decline in member satisfaction and loyalty [7][12] - The chaotic pricing and promotional strategies led to instances where merchants had to cancel orders or refund customers due to pricing errors, further damaging their reputation [15][18] Group 3: Industry Trends - The shift in consumer behavior towards content-driven e-commerce is evident, as traditional platforms struggle to maintain engagement during promotional events [25][26] - The ongoing challenges faced by e-commerce platforms highlight a need for adaptation to meet the evolving demands of consumers and merchants alike, emphasizing the importance of creating value for both parties [26]
淘宝今年618有点慌