Jing Ji Guan Cha Wang·2026-02-08 08:38Core Insights - Meituan has acquired Dingdong Maicai's entire business in China for an initial price of $717 million, marking a significant shift in the fresh food e-commerce landscape and the end of its independent era [2][9] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition involves over 1,000 front warehouses and 7 million monthly purchasing users, integrating Dingdong Maicai's supply chain into Meituan's operations [2][4] - Dingdong Maicai will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meituan, with its financial performance incorporated into Meituan's financial statements [2] - The deal includes a dynamic pricing mechanism, allowing the final price to be adjusted based on audited financial metrics at the time of closing [6][10] Group 2: Strategic Objectives - The strategic goal of the acquisition is to enhance Meituan's infrastructure in the instant retail sector, shifting competition from user acquisition to efficiency in physical networks and supply chains [3][9] - Dingdong Maicai has established a vertically integrated supply chain with over 85% of its fresh products sourced directly, which will bolster Meituan's operational capabilities [4] Group 3: Financial Performance - Dingdong Maicai reported a pre-tax net profit of 38.882 billion yuan for 2024, with a total merchandise transaction volume growth rate of only 0.1% year-on-year, indicating a stagnation in growth [4] Group 4: Industry Impact - The acquisition is expected to reshape the competitive landscape of the instant retail industry, with a predicted market share distribution of 5:4:1 among Meituan, Alibaba, and JD [9] - The focus of competition is shifting from user subsidies and traffic acquisition to the efficiency of infrastructure, with factors like warehouse density and supply chain responsiveness becoming critical [9][10] - This acquisition signifies the end of the independent development phase for fresh food e-commerce, as major players consolidate their positions [9][10]