3 6 Ke·2025-11-29 05:12Core Insights - The fierce competition in the food delivery sector between Alibaba and Meituan has led to significant financial losses, with Alibaba burning approximately 350 to 360 billion RMB and Meituan between 150 to 200 billion RMB in the third quarter [1][2][6]. - Both companies have shifted their strategies from aggressive subsidies to a more defensive posture, focusing on optimizing unit economics and reducing losses [1][5][11]. Financial Performance - Alibaba's adjusted EBITDA for its China e-commerce group was 105 billion RMB, with a significant loss of 110 billion RMB in its instant retail business since its inception, totaling over 460 billion RMB burned [2][4]. - Meituan's core local business costs rose by 48.78% year-on-year, with sales and marketing expenses increasing by 90% to 343 billion RMB, reflecting the competitive landscape [5][6]. Market Dynamics - Analysts from major financial institutions have downgraded Alibaba's stock price targets due to the ongoing losses in instant retail and the unclear synergy with its main platform [3]. - The market share dynamics are expected to stabilize in the long term, with projections suggesting a 5:4:1 market share distribution among Meituan, Alibaba, and JD.com [6]. Strategic Adjustments - Alibaba is focusing on integrating its various business segments to achieve better synergy, while Meituan is concentrating on high-value customer segments and optimizing its operational efficiency [11][12]. - Both companies are adapting their strategies in response to the competitive environment, with Alibaba planning to reduce its involvement in certain areas and Meituan enhancing its partnerships with brands for tailored inventory solutions [12][14]. Impact on Brands - The competition has led to a reshuffling among beverage brands, with companies like Luckin Coffee experiencing both growth in same-store sales and increased pressure on profit margins due to rising delivery and marketing costs [7][8][9]. - Brands like Bawang Tea have opted for a more cautious approach, while others like Cha Bai Dao have capitalized on the competitive landscape to achieve healthy growth despite the subsidy reductions [10][11].