Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-12-06 12:12Core Viewpoint - The voluntary commitment of Meituan and JD to implement the recommended national standard for food delivery platforms marks a significant shift in the industry, indicating a transition from chaotic growth to a more regulated and mature phase [1][4]. Group 1: Industry Background - The food delivery industry in China has experienced explosive growth since its inception in 2014, with the market size expected to exceed 1.5 trillion yuan in 2024 and daily orders surpassing 40 million, creating jobs for 30 million delivery workers and increasing revenue for millions of merchants [3]. - However, the rapid expansion has led to various issues, including delivery personnel violating traffic rules, merchants using expired ingredients, and consumers facing difficulties in complaints, all stemming from a lack of unified service management standards [3][4]. Group 2: Reasons for Voluntary Compliance - Meituan and JD's decision to voluntarily adopt the national standard is not merely altruistic but a strategic move reflecting the industry's maturation and their own interests [6]. - The shift from price competition to experience competition is evident, with consumers prioritizing delivery timeliness, merchant transparency, and complaint handling efficiency over price discounts, making adherence to the national standard a way to enhance consumer trust and differentiate from smaller platforms [7]. Group 3: Challenges to Implementation - The first challenge is whether platforms can adjust their efficiency-driven algorithms to comply with the standard, which requires reasonable delivery time settings and protection of delivery workers' rights [9]. - The second challenge involves the potential for increased costs to be passed on to consumers, as stricter merchant entry standards and service fees could lead to higher prices for consumers [10]. - The third challenge is the lack of enforcement mechanisms for the recommended standards, necessitating third-party oversight to ensure compliance and effectiveness [11]. Group 4: Broader Implications for the Service Industry - The voluntary execution of the national standard by major platforms signals a broader trend towards standardization in China's service industry, which has historically struggled with quality inconsistencies and consumer trust issues [12]. - This move could pressure smaller platforms to follow suit, leading to a shift from low-level competition to high-quality competition across the industry [12]. - For consumers, standardized services could significantly enhance their sense of safety and satisfaction, as they would no longer have to worry about merchant qualifications or delivery delays [12]. Conclusion - The commitment of Meituan and JD to implement the national standard represents a crucial step towards the food delivery industry's maturation, but the real test lies in the tangible changes that follow, such as reduced penalties for delivery workers and improved complaint handling for consumers [13][14].