Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-09-23 10:30Core Insights - Alibaba's Taobao Flash Sale has launched an in-store group buying service, initially in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Jiaxing, to compete with Meituan and Douyin in the instant retail sector [1][4][18] - The service aims to attract users by offering discounts and is seen as a natural extension of existing offerings, with a focus on enhancing consumer and merchant experiences [6][9] - The competition landscape is evolving, with various platforms like Gaode and Douyin also entering the in-store group buying space, indicating a shift in how local services are marketed and consumed [10][14] Group 1: Taobao Flash Sale's Strategy - Taobao Flash Sale's in-store group buying service was officially launched on September 20, 2023, with a focus on multiple food categories [4][6] - The initial rollout is part of a broader strategy to leverage existing user bases and enhance service offerings, with plans for expansion into more cities [1][9] - The pricing strategy shows competitive pricing against Meituan, with some products priced lower on Taobao Flash Sale, particularly in the tea and dessert categories [6][4] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Gaode has introduced its own features to compete with platforms like Dazhong Dianping, while also hiring for local life-related positions, indicating its commitment to the in-store group buying market [10][11] - Douyin is actively pursuing in-store group buying as a key growth area, with plans for significant promotional events to boost sales [14] - Other platforms like Kuaishou and Xiaohongshu are also exploring local life services, indicating a trend towards diversification in service offerings across multiple platforms [15][18] Group 3: Merchant Perspectives - Merchants express a preference for private domain operations, indicating a desire to retain customer relationships beyond platform-driven sales [18] - Feedback from merchants suggests that the operational model for Taobao Flash Sale's group buying is similar to that of Meituan, focusing on signing contracts with merchants and facilitating offline redemption [8][18] - The competitive dynamics suggest that while platforms vie for user attention, merchants are primarily concerned with profitability and customer retention [18]