Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-09-19 07:44Core Insights - Alibaba's Taobao Flash Sale and Ele.me are launching an in-store merchant group buying business, initially focusing on food and beverage offerings [1] - The pilot program for the group buying service will start on September 20 in key business districts of Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Jiaxing, with plans to expand to major first- and second-tier cities nationwide [1] - The group buying service will feature a unified supply from Taobao Flash Sale and Ele.me, accessible through Taobao, Alipay, and Gaode, which are Alibaba's major traffic platforms [1] Group Buying Business Details - The first batch of group buying categories includes high-frequency consumer items such as beverages, Chinese cuisine, pastries, fast food, and local snacks [1] - Notable brands participating in the initial launch include national chains like Nayuki Tea, Zunbao Pizza, and Tao Tao Ju, as well as local brands like Xunxiangji and Xuji Seafood [1] - The team responsible for the in-store group buying business is primarily based at Ele.me, consisting of several hundred members [1] Strategic Moves by Alibaba - On September 10, Alibaba's Gaode launched the world's first travel behavior-based ranking product, Gaode Street Ranking, indicating a strategic push into the in-store business [1] - This initiative aims to reshape the evaluation system for offline services, positioning Gaode, which has 170 million daily active users, as a super entry point for lifestyle services [1] - Alibaba is intensifying its focus on in-store business development, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance its service offerings in the offline market [1]