Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-09-10 12:18Core Viewpoint - The upcoming competition between Alibaba and Meituan in the local service sector is expected to be the most intense in the past decade of the Chinese internet, particularly with the launch of Gaode's "Street Ranking" product aimed at reshaping the evaluation system for offline services [1][21]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Gaode's launch of the "Street Ranking" is seen as a strategic move to enhance its presence in the local service market, leveraging its 170 million daily active users (DAU) to create a super entry point for lifestyle services [1][4]. - The competition is not just about food delivery but encompasses a broader battle for market share in local services, with Meituan's business model relying heavily on high-margin in-store and travel services [3][4]. - The outcome of this battle could significantly reshape the competitive landscape of the Chinese internet industry, moving from a previously polarized market to a more diversified one with multiple strong players [4][21]. Group 2: Financial Insights - Meituan's 2021 financial report indicated that its food delivery business had a profit margin of only 6.4%, while its in-store and travel services boasted a much higher profit margin of 43.3% [6][7]. - In 2024, Meituan's core local business revenue is projected to grow by 20.9% year-on-year, reaching RMB 250.2 billion, with operating profit increasing by 35.4% to RMB 52.4 billion [8][9]. - The global average operating profit margin for major food delivery platforms is only 2.2%, highlighting the low profitability of the food delivery sector compared to in-store services [6][8]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - If Alibaba succeeds, it could integrate various local services into a unified credit system based on real consumer behavior, significantly reducing decision-making costs for consumers [4][19]. - Conversely, if Meituan prevails, it would solidify its dominant position in local services, demonstrating the sustainability of its high-frequency, high-commitment business model [4][12]. - The competition is characterized as a cognitive and psychological battle, where both companies aim to influence consumer decision-making and establish a new credit system for offline consumption [17][27]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The rivalry is expected to be less about aggressive cash-burning strategies and more about establishing a new consumer mindset and experience [27][34]. - Both companies are likely to emerge as winners in different aspects, as the competition fosters innovation and efficiency in the local service market [21][25]. - The battle will test each company's ability to adapt and respond to market changes, with Alibaba's recent strategic focus on cloud and AI infrastructure enhancing its competitive edge [10][24].