外卖平台补贴大战愈演愈烈，餐饮人集体喊停

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing "subsidy war" among food delivery platforms has led to significant backlash from industry associations and small businesses, highlighting the detrimental effects on small merchants and calling for a return to fair competition practices [4][30][32] Group 1: Industry Response - Multiple industry associations, including the China Cuisine Association and the China Chain Store and Franchise Association, have urged platforms to stop extreme subsidy practices that disrupt market order and harm small businesses [4][5][7] - The associations demand that platforms establish fair competition mechanisms, including defining subsidy boundaries and optimizing cost-sharing between platforms and merchants [5][7] - Local associations, such as the restaurant industry chamber in Zunyi, have echoed these calls, pointing out that extreme subsidies lead to unsustainable business practices and market chaos [9][10] Group 2: Impact on Small Businesses - Small businesses are disproportionately affected by the subsidy war, facing significant profit declines and operational challenges [11][14] - Reports indicate that participation in subsidy programs can lead to profit drops of 20%-30%, with many small merchants unable to sustain operations under current conditions [11][13] - The financial burden of subsidies often falls heavily on small businesses, which lack the negotiating power to secure better terms compared to larger chains [16][19] Group 3: Strategies for Survival - Small merchants are encouraged to adopt tiered pricing strategies to avoid the pitfalls of extreme subsidies, ensuring that they maintain a reasonable profit margin [24] - Building private customer bases through loyalty programs and community engagement can help reduce reliance on delivery platform traffic [25] - Merchants should leverage regulatory changes and industry advocacy to push for fairer practices and support from platforms [26] Group 4: Future Outlook - The subsidy war has raised critical questions about the sustainability of current business practices in the food delivery industry, with calls for a shift towards a more balanced ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders [30][32] - As the market evolves, the focus may shift from aggressive pricing to value-based competition, emphasizing quality and customer loyalty [31][32]