Core Insights - Meituan has announced the suspension of its group buying business, Tuan Haohuo, shifting its strategic focus towards exploring new retail formats [1][9] - The decision reflects a recognition of the challenges faced in the fast-evolving grocery retail sector, where existing delivery models fail to meet the demand for instant retail [1][6] Business Overview - Tuan Haohuo was launched in August 2020 to compete with Pinduoduo, aiming to leverage Meituan's extensive user base and low-cost offerings to penetrate the lower-tier market [2][3] - Initially, Tuan Haohuo showed promising growth, with its GMV nearly tripling year-on-year in the first half of 2021, but later struggled to maintain its competitive edge [3][4] Strategic Challenges - The business faced strategic ambiguity, transitioning from a low-price model to a quality-focused approach, which resulted in a confusing market position [3][4] - Tuan Haohuo's average order value was only 17.5 yuan, indicating a reliance on low-cost, private-label products, which did not differentiate it from competitors like Pinduoduo [4][5] Market Dynamics - Meituan's core business model is built on local services and instant delivery, which contrasts sharply with Tuan Haohuo's logistics model that relied on a national express network [6][7] - The mismatch between user expectations for immediate delivery and Tuan Haohuo's slower fulfillment process led to a decline in user engagement [7][8] Strategic Refocus - The suspension of Tuan Haohuo is seen as a strategic pivot for Meituan, allowing the company to concentrate resources on its core strengths in instant retail, exemplified by Meituan Flash Purchase and Xiaoxiang Supermarket [9][10] - Meituan aims to leverage its existing logistics network and partnerships to enhance its position in the rapidly growing instant retail market, which is projected to capture significant market share [10][11] Competitive Landscape - The decision to exit Tuan Haohuo aligns with Meituan's strategy to avoid inefficient competition in the long-distance e-commerce space dominated by Alibaba, focusing instead on its strengths in local retail [11][12] - The company is positioning itself to build a robust ecosystem by integrating local merchants into its supply chain, enhancing its competitive advantage in the "30-minute economy" [11][12]
美团暂停「团好货」业务,外卖员揽不动快递的活?