外卖行业呼吁平台良性竞争

Core Viewpoint - The recent subsidy war in China's food delivery industry has revealed some "aftereffects" that require attention from all sectors [2][6]. Group 1: Subsidy War Dynamics - In the first half of 2025, major platforms like Taobao Flash Purchase, Ele.me, Meituan, and JD Delivery have initiated a new round of subsidy wars to capture market share and user traffic [2]. - The subsidy competition has significantly increased order volumes and platform penetration rates, especially in western regions, leading to a rapid growth in the number of delivery riders [2][4]. - A survey by the Beijing Cooking Association indicates that one-third of respondents perceive a disparity in subsidies favoring large chains over small merchants [3]. Group 2: Impact on Merchants - Large merchants benefit from established supply chain management and operational efficiency, allowing them to respond quickly to increased order volumes [3]. - Platforms tend to favor large merchants in subsidy allocations, as they can negotiate more efficiently and bear the costs better than small merchants [3]. - Meituan has launched support strategies for small merchants, including a "10 billion support fund" aimed at increasing order volumes and merchant income [3]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior and Market Effects - Continuous low-price subsidies distort consumer price perceptions, leading to concerns about a potential decline in demand once subsidies are removed [4]. - The surge in orders during subsidy peaks can overwhelm merchants, risking customer experience and potentially leading to a decline in product quality [4]. - The rapid expansion of delivery riders, primarily through crowdsourcing, has raised safety concerns due to relaxed hiring standards by some platforms [4]. Group 4: Resource Waste Concerns - High subsidies and low-price promotions have led to excessive consumption, resulting in food waste and operational overload for merchants [5]. - Some platforms have been reported to impose additional burdens on merchants, such as requiring them to cover losses from unsold food due to excessive orders [5]. Group 5: Recommendations for Sustainable Practices - The industry needs to shift from unsustainable, loss-driven subsidies to a focus on long-term value creation, enhancing service quality, and supporting small merchants [6]. - Platforms should enhance their social responsibility, ensuring fair treatment of small merchants and prioritizing rider safety through better governance and incentives [6]. - A healthy competitive environment is essential for the sustainable development of the industry, benefiting consumers, merchants, and workers alike [6].