3 6 Ke·2026-02-06 02:32Core Insights - The article discusses the competitive landscape of the food delivery market in China, highlighting the shift from a subsidy war to a focus on ecosystem integration and service quality among major players like Meituan, Alibaba, and JD.com [1][10][34] Market Dynamics - One year after JD.com entered the food delivery market, the competitive landscape has shifted, with Meituan holding a market share of 46.9%, Alibaba (through Ele.me and Taobao Shanguo) at 42.8%, and JD.com at around 10% [3][6] - The three major players have collectively invested over 800 billion yuan in the market, leading to a significant reshaping of the industry [10] Competitive Strategies - JD.com initially focused on quality and rider benefits, but has since reduced marketing expenditures as it faced challenges in user engagement, with only 12% of its 700 million users utilizing its delivery service [23][29] - Meituan has adopted a strategy of maintaining high service quality while avoiding a price war, focusing on high-value users and enhancing delivery efficiency [20][34] - Alibaba's approach integrates its entire ecosystem, leveraging Taobao's traffic and supply chain capabilities to enhance its delivery services, resulting in a 20% increase in daily active users [15][22] Financial Performance - Meituan reported a core local business operating loss of 141 billion yuan in Q3 2025, with marketing expenses soaring to 343 billion yuan [18][20] - Alibaba's instant retail business saw a revenue increase of 60% year-on-year, but its sales expenses also rose significantly, indicating a strategic focus on ecosystem synergy rather than just order volume [21][22] - JD.com's new business segment, which includes food delivery, reported a revenue of 156 billion yuan with an operating loss of 157 billion yuan, prompting a strategic retreat from aggressive marketing [23][24] Impact on Stakeholders - The subsidy war has led to profit pressures for merchants, with 63% reporting revenue declines despite increased order volumes, and 28% forced to close their businesses [25] - Delivery riders initially benefited from higher wages, but as subsidies decreased and competition intensified, their income became unstable [26][27] Regulatory Environment - Regulatory tightening has prompted the major players to signal strategic adjustments, moving away from aggressive competition towards more sustainable business practices [28][34] Future Outlook - The competition in the food delivery sector is evolving from a focus on subsidies to establishing barriers in service efficiency, supply chain integration, and user experience [34][32]