Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-09-12 12:24Core Viewpoint - The competition in the local life service sector is intensifying as major players like Alibaba and Douyin launch similar support plans to attract users and increase in-store consumption, indicating a shift in focus from food delivery to in-store services [1][4][9] Group 1: Company Strategies - Alibaba, through Gaode, has initiated the "Smoke Fire Good Store Support Plan" with over 1 billion yuan in subsidies to encourage in-store consumption [1] - Douyin has launched a similar "Smoke Fire Small Store Support Plan" targeting merchants with an average consumption of under 100 yuan, providing traffic incentives [1] - Meituan's stock has dropped 49.1% from its March high, while Alibaba's stock has risen 98.6% from its January low, indicating a shift in market dynamics [2] Group 2: Market Dynamics - UBS predicts that the competition will shift from food delivery to non-food instant retail and in-store services in the fourth quarter [1] - Morgan Stanley has lowered Meituan's profit expectations for its in-store business for 2026-2027 due to the competitive pressure from Alibaba [1] - The local life service market is evolving into a duopoly between Meituan and Douyin, with Alibaba re-entering the fray [4][6] Group 3: Industry Insights - Industry experts suggest that the subsidies from major companies are aimed at capturing user mindshare and increasing app engagement rather than merely acquiring new users [1][8] - The local life service sector is seen as a battleground for e-commerce platforms, with Alibaba's strategy focusing on integrating its ecosystem to enhance user experience [6][7] - The overall growth of the e-commerce sector is slowing, with traditional platforms facing challenges from content-driven e-commerce like Douyin and Kuaishou [7][8]