Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-11-17 01:20Core Viewpoint - JD.com is aggressively pursuing its food delivery business to boost platform activity amid declining government subsidies and a plateau in traditional e-commerce traffic, but this strategy has led to significant financial losses [2][3][6]. Financial Performance - In Q3, JD.com reported revenue of 299.1 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.9%, marking four consecutive quarters of double-digit growth since Q4 2024 [2]. - The new business segment, primarily consisting of the food delivery service, saw revenue surge by 213.7% to 15.592 billion yuan, but incurred a record operating loss of 15.736 billion yuan [2][3]. - Cumulatively, the new business has lost 31.84 billion yuan in the first nine months of the year, averaging a daily loss of 1.16 million yuan [2][3]. Strategic Focus - JD.com’s push into the food delivery sector began in February, with significant investments in subsidies and marketing efforts, including CEO Liu Qiangdong personally delivering food [3][4]. - The company aims to leverage high-frequency food delivery to enhance user engagement and support its low-frequency retail business [3][4]. User Engagement - The strategy has resulted in user growth, with Q3 active user numbers and shopping frequency increasing by over 40% year-on-year [5]. - In September, JD.com reported a 14.8% year-on-year increase in monthly active users, leading among major e-commerce platforms [5]. Challenges and Concerns - Despite increased traffic from the food delivery service, the growth in product revenue slowed from 20.7% in Q2 to 10.5% in Q3, indicating inefficiencies in converting traffic into sales [6]. - The substantial losses from the food delivery business have raised questions about the sustainability of the "burning money for growth" model [7]. Leadership and Management - Liu Qiangdong's increased visibility and hands-on approach reflect his anxiety about the company's direction, as he seeks to revitalize JD.com after a perceived lack of innovation and growth over the past five years [9][10]. - His management style includes direct involvement in various operational aspects, aiming to enhance organizational effectiveness [9]. Cash Flow and Market Reaction - JD.com’s operating cash flow turned negative, dropping from a positive 33.204 billion yuan to a negative 1.888 billion yuan in the first three quarters, highlighting the financial strain from new business ventures [10]. - Despite reporting record sales during the recent "Double Eleven" shopping festival, consumer sentiment appears less enthusiastic, with concerns about pricing strategies and potential data inflation [10]. Diversification Efforts - JD.com is diversifying into various sectors, including alcohol, international e-commerce, and automotive sales, but these efforts lack clear synergy and may appear disorganized [11]. - CEO Xu Ran expressed confidence in the long-term potential of the food delivery business, aiming for a sustainable business model that balances growth and efficiency [11].