阿里美团即时零售都打不动了

Core Insights - The article discusses the intense competition between Meituan and Alibaba in the instant retail market, highlighting the strategic decisions made by both companies in response to each other's actions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Financial Performance - Meituan's Q3 financial report shows a significant loss of 14.1 billion yuan in its core local business, indicating a shift from being a cash cow to a loss-making entity as it invests heavily in defending its market share against Alibaba [3][4][5]. - Alibaba's Q3 results reveal a 53% drop in net profit despite revenue growth, reflecting the challenges it faces in maintaining investor confidence while pursuing market share in the face of Meituan's aggressive strategies [10][11][12]. Strategic Decisions - Meituan's CEO Wang Xing has adopted a "defensive suicide" strategy, willing to incur massive losses to maintain market share, signaling to competitors that it is prepared to engage in a price war [5][6][7]. - Alibaba's management expresses a willingness to sacrifice short-term profits for long-term market share, yet faces pressure from investors who prefer immediate profitability [10][12][14]. Market Dynamics - The competition is characterized as a "fatigue war," where both companies are testing each other's limits without a clear path to victory, reflecting a shift in the internet landscape where the cost of competition extends beyond financial resources [2][24]. - The article suggests that both companies are in a stalemate, unable to decisively defeat each other, leading to a scenario where neither can afford to escalate the conflict further without risking significant damage to their operations [24][26]. Organizational Challenges - The intense competition has led to organizational strain, with employees at both companies feeling overworked and exhausted, which could hinder their ability to sustain aggressive strategies [18][20][22]. - The article emphasizes that the future of this competition will depend on which company can better manage its resources and maintain employee morale amidst ongoing pressures [26].