Zheng Quan Shi Bao·2025-08-17 17:41Core Viewpoint - The major food delivery platforms in China, including Meituan, Ele.me, and JD, have announced a cessation of "involutionary" competition and high subsidies, aiming to maintain a healthy industry ecosystem. However, some platforms continue to offer significant subsidies, leading to concerns about the long-term impact on the food delivery and restaurant industry [1][2]. Summary by Sections Industry Competition - Following the announcement to stop irrational high subsidies, food delivery platforms have seen a decline in order volumes, with delivery personnel reporting a drop in earnings from around 700-800 yuan to approximately 400 yuan per day [1]. - Despite the reduction in subsidies, there remains a significant price imbalance between online and offline dining, with meals priced at over 20 yuan in restaurants being available for as low as 7-8 yuan on delivery platforms [1]. Subsidy Dynamics - Some platforms have left room for future high subsidies, indicating a willingness to engage in selective promotional activities despite the general cessation of large-scale "0 yuan purchase" promotions [2]. - The burden of subsidy costs is often shifted to small and medium-sized merchants, who face pressure to participate in promotional activities that erode their profit margins [3][4]. Merchant Challenges - Merchants are often required to absorb a significant portion of the subsidy costs, with examples showing that merchants can end up subsidizing more than double what the platform contributes [4]. - The reliance on low prices has led to a change in consumer behavior, with some customers opting for delivery instead of dining in, further impacting restaurant revenues [5]. Regulatory Recommendations - There is a call for regulatory measures to address the opaque nature of subsidy mechanisms and the responsibilities of platforms versus merchants. This includes establishing a subsidy tracing mechanism and enforcing algorithm transparency [5][6]. - Recommendations also include activating multi-party governance to encourage consumer and merchant participation in oversight, as well as creating industry standards to prevent the transfer of subsidy costs to merchants [6]. Long-term Implications - The ongoing price wars and high subsidies may lead to a deterioration of service quality and consumer trust, as businesses struggle to maintain profitability under pressure [5][6]. - The ultimate goal is to shift the focus from aggressive competition to value creation, ensuring that technological advancements benefit all stakeholders rather than just a few dominant platforms [6].