Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2025-07-07 06:13Core Viewpoint - The competition in the fresh food retail market is intensifying as major players like JD and Meituan accelerate their offline store openings, indicating a resurgence of the "new retail" concept that integrates online and offline shopping experiences [3][11][15]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - JD and Meituan are focusing on the fresh food segment as a high-frequency necessity, with JD's 7Fresh and Meituan's Little Elephant Supermarket both expanding their offline presence [4][9]. - The shift towards offline stores is supported by a change in consumer behavior, where online purchasing of fresh food has become more accepted [3][14]. - The success of Hema, which achieved profitability after nine years, has instilled confidence in other players to invest in the fresh food retail space [3][15]. Group 2: JD's Strategy - JD plans to achieve full coverage of the 7Fresh stores in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region by the end of the year, with a focus on core business districts [5][6]. - The "1+N" model is being implemented, where the central store serves as both an experience hub and a supply chain node, while smaller satellite stores enhance delivery efficiency [6][7]. - JD's integration of 7Fresh with its food delivery services aims to create a seamless shopping experience for consumers [7][8]. Group 3: Meituan's Approach - Meituan's Little Elephant Supermarket is also ramping up its offline expansion, targeting all first- and second-tier cities [9][10]. - The recruitment of over 200 positions for Little Elephant Supermarket indicates a significant commitment to expanding its physical presence [10]. - Meituan's strategy includes leveraging its strong delivery capabilities to enhance the efficiency of its new store openings [20]. Group 4: Industry Trends - The shift back to offline retail is part of a broader trend where companies are reassessing the value of physical stores in light of rising online customer acquisition costs [19]. - The role of offline stores is evolving from mere sales points to multifunctional efficiency nodes that support both customer experience and logistics [21][22]. - The integration of online and offline channels is seen as essential for driving growth in the fresh food sector, with companies investing heavily in infrastructure to support this transition [23].