3 6 Ke·2026-01-04 03:16Core Viewpoint - The recent competition among food delivery companies has intensified, with significant financial incentives being offered to attract delivery riders, indicating a fierce battle for market share in the industry [1][2][3]. Group 1: Competition and Incentives - Meituan is offering a one-time transfer reward of 2888 yuan to active riders from Ele.me and JD with monthly orders exceeding 720 [1]. - Taobao Shanguo is providing a subsidy of 3000 yuan to riders who meet specific order criteria on competing platforms, along with additional rewards for referrals [1]. - JD has not engaged in direct recruitment but is investing 22 billion yuan over five years to create "JD Rider Homes" to retain its riders [2]. Group 2: Financial Implications - The total investment by the three major players in the food delivery battle has exceeded 100 billion yuan this year, with a notable increase in transfer subsidies compared to previous years [3]. - Despite the massive financial outlay, profits have not increased, with Alibaba and JD reporting net profit declines of 52% and 55% respectively, while Meituan recorded its largest loss since going public, with a net loss of 16 billion yuan in Q3 [3][4]. Group 3: Marketing and User Growth - Marketing expenses for Alibaba, JD, and Meituan have risen significantly, with year-on-year increases of 106%, 110%, and 91% respectively, despite growth in food delivery orders [4]. - JD's new user conversion rate for food delivery is nearly 50%, contributing to a 40% year-on-year increase in active users and shopping frequency [7]. - Meituan's app has also seen a user growth of over 20% [9]. Group 4: Long-term Outlook and Market Value - The substantial financial investments have not translated into significant improvements in e-commerce revenue growth, with Alibaba's e-commerce growth rate around 9% and JD's fluctuating between 20% and 11.4% [6]. - The value of food delivery remains questionable, as the increase in orders has not led to a corresponding increase in revenue or profitability for the companies involved [10]. - The expectation that high-frequency food delivery could drive low-frequency retail sales has not materialized, as evidenced by the low percentage of new users converting to significant e-commerce spending [10]. Group 5: Local Life Services and Ecosystem Development - The true value of food delivery may lie in its potential to drive local life services, as seen with Meituan's hotel bookings, where 90% of users originated from food delivery [11]. - The competition is not just about food delivery but also about establishing a broader ecosystem that includes various local services, as evidenced by the strategic moves of Alibaba and JD into local life services [14][28]. - Building a comprehensive ecosystem is essential for long-term success, as it requires time and user trust to develop beyond just food delivery [29].