外卖价格战陷多输困局，监管宜适时介入

Core Viewpoint - The recent competition in the food delivery market has escalated into a fierce price war, prompting industry associations to call for an end to "involutionary" competition, which is seen as detrimental to all parties involved [1][3]. Group 1: Industry Response - The Shenzhen Culinary Association has issued a statement urging food delivery platforms to cease their "involutionary" competition, which has led to systemic risks in the restaurant industry [1]. - The Guizhou Zunyi Honghuagang District Catering Industry Association has also called for an end to excessive subsidies and unfair competition among delivery platforms [1]. Group 2: Impact on Stakeholders - The current "involutionary" competition has created a "lose-lose" situation for platforms, merchants, and consumers, with merchants facing rising operational costs and squeezed profit margins, platforms straying from sustainable business models, and consumers potentially experiencing declines in service quality and food safety [1]. - A restaurant chain representative noted that not participating in subsidy activities results in a significant drop in visibility on platforms, perpetuating a cycle of "subsidy-traffic-greater subsidy" [5]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - Despite awareness of the negative consequences of this competition, participants feel compelled to engage due to the need for market presence, creating a classic prisoner's dilemma scenario [4]. - The reliance on user growth for valuation in internet companies leads to a dependency on subsidies to maintain growth illusions, especially as market penetration reaches saturation [5]. Group 4: Regulatory Considerations - Given the severe disruption caused by the ongoing price war, it is suggested that regulatory authorities should intervene to halt the escalating competition, referencing the newly revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law which prohibits platforms from forcing merchants to sell below cost [5].