Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-08-02 08:30Core Viewpoint - JD.com plans to open 10,000 self-operated takeaway stores named "Qixian Xiaochu," which has sparked controversy regarding its impact on small businesses and the role of platforms in the market [1][6]. Group 1: Impact on Small Businesses - The move by JD.com is seen as a threat to millions of small family-run businesses, with critics arguing that it represents monopolistic behavior rather than innovation [1][6]. - The introduction of "ghost takeaways" as a target for JD.com raises questions about the fairness of its competition, as many legitimate small businesses may be unfairly categorized as such [2][3]. - The new "immediate pickup restaurant" label allows previously excluded small businesses to re-enter the market, but this change appears to be tailored to benefit JD.com's new business model [5][6]. Group 2: Competition and Fairness - JD.com's entry into the self-operated takeaway market is likely to create direct competition with small restaurants that rely on the platform for traffic, raising concerns about unfair competition [6][8]. - Critics argue that JD.com controlling both the traffic and participating in the market could lead to data misuse and unfair advantages over smaller competitors [6][8]. - The lack of clear regulatory standards for platform self-operation versus neutral governance remains a significant concern for the industry [6][8]. Group 3: Financial Viability and Market Strategy - The takeaway industry is characterized by high costs and low profit margins, with delivery costs accounting for 60%-70% of expenses, making profitability challenging even for established players like JD.com [7][8]. - JD.com's first-quarter 2025 financial report indicated a significant operating loss in its new business segment, including takeaway services, highlighting the financial risks involved [7][8]. - The strategy of self-operated takeaways may be more about creating a narrative in a post-subsidy environment rather than addressing food safety issues, as the industry faces ongoing challenges from price wars and market saturation [8][9].