Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2025-09-19 11:05Core Viewpoint - Alibaba is intensifying its efforts in the local group-buying business, launching a pilot program in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Jiaxing, marking a strategic move to compete directly with Meituan's core business [2][3]. Group 1: Business Strategy - The new group-buying initiative will be integrated across Alibaba's major platforms, including Taobao, Alipay, and Gaode, aiming to create a comprehensive "home + store" ecosystem [2][3]. - Gaode's recent launch of the "Street Ranking" feature is seen as a preliminary step in Alibaba's strategy to enhance its local services, although it will not operate the group-buying business directly [2][3][5]. - Analysts view the introduction of the "Street Ranking" as a clear signal of Alibaba's renewed focus on the local business sector, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape [5][6]. Group 2: Market Performance - Alibaba's recent performance in the food delivery sector has bolstered its confidence in expanding into group buying, with Taobao Shanguo achieving a peak daily order volume of 120 million in August [6][7]. - The monthly active consumers on the Taobao app increased by 25% due to the food delivery business, indicating a positive impact on Alibaba's core e-commerce operations [8]. - The company anticipates that the integration of group buying and instant retail could generate an additional 1 trillion yuan in transactions over the next three years [9]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The synergy between in-store and delivery services is expected to enhance profitability, as in-store consumption is less complex than delivery logistics [5][6]. - Meituan, as the leading player in the group-buying sector, is likely to respond actively to Alibaba's new initiatives, indicating a prolonged competitive battle in the local service market [9].