Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-08-06 08:06Group 1 - JD.com announced the opening of 5 discount supermarkets in Suqian, Jiangsu, and Zhuozhou, Hebei, in August, with prices generally lower than market rates [1][3] - Hema X membership stores, which were launched in October 2020, will completely cease operations, marking the end of a five-year journey [2] - Hema X membership stores expanded rapidly from 2021 to 2022, reaching 10 stores and nearly 3 million members by October 2023, but faced challenges leading to their closure [2][3] Group 2 - The discount supermarket sector is experiencing rapid growth globally, with a projected market size in China exceeding 200 billion yuan by 2024, indicating a significant opportunity for players like JD.com and Hema [3] - Hema's shift from a high-end membership model to a focus on discount formats aligns better with local consumer preferences for smaller, more convenient purchases [4] - The competitive landscape is shifting, with JD.com leveraging its supply chain and low-price strategy to capture consumer demand, while Hema's exit from the membership model reflects challenges in adapting to diverse consumer needs [4][5]