人民网三评“外卖大战”之一：谁在“卷” “卷”了谁？

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing "takeout war" among major platforms has led to significant financial investments in subsidies, resulting in record-breaking order volumes, but it has also created a complex competitive environment that may harm smaller businesses and reduce market diversity [1][2][3] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Since April, platforms have invested nearly 1 trillion yuan in subsidies to attract customers, leading to a surge in order volumes [1] - The initial benefits of subsidies included increased market share for platforms and sales for merchants, but many restaurants report that they are not profiting, leading to a "loss-leader" situation [1][2] - The competition has shifted from a marketing strategy to a prolonged battle, altering the landscape of the restaurant market [1] Group 2: Impact on Small Businesses - Smaller businesses face an unequal competitive environment, where they must choose between participating in subsidies, which erodes profits, or risking marginalization by not participating [2] - The reliance on a single platform for revenue can limit the operational autonomy of smaller restaurants, increasing their financial pressure [2] - The ongoing price wars may force unique small eateries out of the market, as they struggle to maintain profitability [2] Group 3: Long-term Implications - The "takeout war" may reduce market diversity, as consumer choices become limited to a few large brands offering standardized products, potentially impacting local culinary culture [3] - The heavy reliance of many businesses on a few platforms could weaken the overall resilience of the restaurant retail system [3] - The focus should shift from a simplistic "winner vs. loser" perspective to understanding the long-term effects on the entire restaurant ecosystem [3] Group 4: Call for Change - There is a need for platforms to transition from a "traffic-driven" mindset to a "coexistence-driven" approach, ensuring that all types of businesses can thrive [3] - The ultimate goal should be to create a healthy ecosystem where large, medium, and small businesses can grow, consumers receive sustainable quality service, and delivery personnel are respected and protected [3] - True success for platforms will be measured by their ability to connect their achievements with the prosperity of the broader economic ecosystem [3]