Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-10-31 02:04Core Viewpoint - Alibaba is launching a new convenience store brand "Taobao Convenience Store" under its Taobao Flash Purchase plan, aiming to compete in the rapidly growing instant retail market [1][4]. Group 1: Project Overview - The "Taobao Convenience Store" will operate 24/7 and offer a wide range of products, including daily necessities, snacks, beverages, electronics, baby products, and cosmetics, with an inventory of approximately 10,000 SKUs, comparable to half of a Walmart's selection [1]. - This is not Alibaba's first venture into the convenience store sector; it previously launched the "Taobao to Home" service in 2016, which was later rebranded as "Tao Fresh" focusing on fresh and general merchandise [1][2]. Group 2: Market Context - The reintroduction of the "Taobao Convenience Store" is a response to intense competition in the instant retail market, where the number of daily delivery orders has surged to over 200 million [4]. - Competitors like Meituan and JD.com have been actively expanding their instant retail services, prompting Alibaba to enhance its offerings in this space [4][5]. Group 3: Strategic Approach - Taobao Flash Purchase will not operate its own stores but will provide brand authorization and platform support to eligible merchants, covering aspects like traffic, product selection, supply chain, and delivery [5]. - The instant retail business "Hour Delivery" was upgraded to "Taobao Flash Purchase" in April 2023, with plans to expand its services in major cities [5].