【西街观察】外卖“烧钱”没有赢家

Core Viewpoint - The intense competition in the food delivery market has led to significant financial losses for major players like JD.com and Meituan, with adjusted net profits dropping by 89% and 50.8% respectively in Q2 [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Meituan's adjusted net profit for Q2 was 1.49 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 89% [1] - JD.com's net profit attributable to shareholders was 6.2 billion yuan, down 50.8% year-on-year [1] - The fierce competition characterized by massive subsidies has resulted in profit declines amounting to tens of billions or even hundreds of billions [1] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The food delivery war has seen platforms engaging in irrational competition, leading to unsustainable financial practices [1][2] - Despite regulatory pressures and commitments from platforms, aggressive promotional strategies like "zero yuan purchase" are diminishing but not disappearing [1][2] - The competition has shifted from user acquisition to focusing on unit economics, with platforms now prioritizing profitability over user growth [2] Group 3: Impact on Stakeholders - The intense competition has adversely affected merchants and delivery personnel, with forced participation in subsidy programs undermining their pricing power [2] - The drastic reduction in subsidies is likely to lead to decreased order volumes and customer spending, making it difficult for small businesses to return to normal operations [3] - The long-term sustainability of the food delivery market is in question, as excessive cash-burning strategies have not led to innovation or added value [2][3] Group 4: Future Outlook - The food delivery battle is expected to continue, but there is a call for more rational and innovative approaches within the industry [4]