Jing Ji Guan Cha Bao·2025-09-13 13:28Core Viewpoint - The hard discount supermarket sector is experiencing significant competition among major internet companies, with aggressive pricing strategies aimed at attracting consumers [2][3][9]. Group 1: Market Activity - Since late August, major players like JD, Meituan, and Alibaba have rapidly expanded their hard discount supermarket presence, opening multiple stores in a short time [2]. - JD's discount supermarket has opened five stores in Hebei and Jiangsu, while Meituan's "Happy Monkey" opened its second store in Hangzhou within two weeks of the first [2]. - Alibaba's Hema NB has rebranded to "Super Box Count NB" and opened 17 new stores across ten cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, bringing its total to nearly 300 stores by the end of August [2]. Group 2: Pricing Strategy - The primary selling point of these hard discount supermarkets is the extremely low prices of fresh and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) [3][4]. - For example, a 30-pack of eggs is priced at 9.9 yuan at JD's discount supermarket, significantly lower than prices at other retailers, which range from 16.9 to 19.9 yuan [5][6]. - Similarly, the price of Hai Tian soy sauce at JD's discount supermarket is 9.9 yuan for 750ml, compared to 12.9 yuan and 15.99 yuan at other platforms [4][6]. Group 3: Profitability Concerns - Industry insiders indicate that the pricing strategy may lead to losses, as the cost of producing a 1.5 kg pack of eggs is around 10.2 yuan, not including logistics and packaging [7]. - The profit margins on bottled water are also minimal, with production costs estimated between 0.36 to 0.6 yuan per bottle, while retail prices are set at 7.9 yuan for a pack of 12 [8]. - The low-priced items are primarily used to attract customers, with the expectation that higher-margin products will drive overall profitability [8][11]. Group 4: Operational Efficiency - Hard discount supermarkets focus on operational efficiency, requiring precise product selection and supply chain optimization [9][11]. - These supermarkets typically reduce SKU counts, connect directly with suppliers, and emphasize private label products to enhance profit margins [9][10]. - Each major player has a distinct strategy: Hema NB targets first and new-tier cities with a focus on private labels, while JD aims at lower-tier markets with larger store formats and a broader product range [10][11]. Group 5: Market Dynamics - The hard discount sector is characterized by a "daily low price" model, contrasting with traditional retail that often relies on clearance sales [9]. - The competition is intense, with companies needing to balance extreme cost efficiency with effective operations to achieve sustainable profitability in a market valued at 200 billion yuan [11].