Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-11-29 13:41Core Insights - The recent earnings reports from JD, Alibaba, and Meituan reflect the impact of the intense competition in the food delivery sector, indicating a shift in strategy as companies reassess their investments and profitability boundaries [1][3][5] Group 1: Company Strategies - Meituan's CEO Wang Xing firmly opposes price wars in the food delivery sector, stating that they do not create value for the industry [1] - Alibaba's e-commerce CEO Jiang Fan highlighted improvements in unit economics for instant retail, indicating a significant reduction in short-term losses and a notable decrease in overall investment in flash purchase business for the next quarter [1][3] - JD has quietly reduced its investment in food delivery services in the third quarter, signaling a strategic retreat from aggressive competition [1][3] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The food delivery market is entering a more complex phase where companies express a desire to avoid price wars but feel compelled to continue competing [2][5] - The competitive landscape has shifted, with Meituan capturing 47.1% of the market share, Alibaba at 42.3%, and JD at 8.4%, indicating a significant change from previous perceptions of a more balanced market [5] - The reduction in subsidies has led to a noticeable decline in order volumes for both consumers and merchants, with reports of a 20% drop in sales for some businesses [4][5] Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Consumers have adjusted their habits, with many now favoring Meituan and Alibaba's flash purchase services, noting that flash purchase prices are often lower while Meituan offers more reliable delivery speeds [3][4] - The decrease in subsidies has been felt by consumers, with many reporting a reduction in the frequency of low-priced promotions [3][4] Group 4: Future Outlook - The next phase of competition will focus on efficiency rather than capital expenditure, with companies expected to adapt their strategies based on market dynamics [6][8] - Both Meituan and Alibaba are exploring new strategies, such as Meituan's focus on high-value orders and Alibaba's emphasis on "explosive product groups" to enhance customer engagement and reduce decision-making time [7][8] - The ongoing challenges from previous low-price competition will require platforms to innovate in supply chain and operations to emerge successfully from the current market conditions [8]