外卖平台高额补贴疑“假性”退场 监管穿透力亟待提升

Core Viewpoint - The major food delivery platforms in China, including Meituan, Ele.me, and JD, have announced a cessation of "involution" 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][4]. Group 1: Industry Dynamics - Following the announcement to stop irrational high subsidies, food delivery orders have significantly decreased, with delivery personnel reporting a drop in daily earnings from around 700-800 yuan to about 400 yuan [2][4]. - Despite the reduction in subsidies, there remains a significant price imbalance between online and offline dining, with some meals priced at 20 yuan in-store being available for as low as 7-8 yuan online [2][3]. Group 2: Impact on Small Businesses - Small businesses are bearing a larger share of the subsidy costs, with reports indicating that merchants often subsidize more than the platforms themselves. For instance, a merchant may receive only 4.8 yuan from a 21 yuan drink after accounting for various subsidies [5][6]. - The pressure on small businesses is exacerbated by the lack of negotiation power against larger chains, leading to a situation where they must absorb more costs to remain competitive [5][6]. Group 3: Regulatory Considerations - There is a call for regulatory measures to address the opaque nature of subsidy distribution and algorithmic pricing, with suggestions for establishing a subsidy tracing mechanism and enforcing algorithm transparency [6][7]. - The need for a collaborative governance model is emphasized, encouraging stakeholders such as consumers, delivery personnel, and merchants to participate in oversight and reporting of unfair practices [7].