3 6 Ke·2026-02-10 00:19Core Viewpoint - The takeaway from the news is that the food delivery industry is transitioning from a phase of cash-burning expansion to one focused on profitability, as evidenced by the recent commission and delivery fee increases by Taobao Flash Purchase in various regions [1][2]. Group 1: Commission Adjustments - Taobao Flash Purchase has raised commission rates by approximately 0.2% to 1% and slightly increased delivery fees in regions like Guangdong and Jiangxi, with some self-delivery merchants seeing commissions reach around 20% [1][2]. - The adjustments are occurring amidst a highly competitive environment, indicating a strategic shift towards sustainable business models rather than continued heavy subsidies [2][3]. Group 2: Business and Strategic Analysis - From a business perspective, the unit economics (UE) model of Taobao Flash Purchase shows a significant gap compared to competitors like Meituan, necessitating improvements in financial efficiency [5][7]. - On a strategic level, Alibaba is facing increased capital expenditure pressures in AI, prompting a need to conserve funds by reducing subsidies in the food delivery sector, which is expected to become a cash cow to support AI investments [8][9]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Merchant Impact - The recent regulatory environment aimed at reducing chaotic competition has led platforms to focus on improving profitability from the merchant side rather than the consumer side [13][19]. - Merchants are experiencing increased costs, but many are willing to accept higher commissions to maintain their order volumes, as switching platforms incurs significant sunk costs [19][20]. Group 4: Industry Trends and Future Outlook - The trend of increasing commissions is seen as a necessary evolution in the food delivery industry, moving towards a focus on operational efficiency and profitability [21][22]. - The current competitive landscape remains unstable, with merchants needing to adapt to changing cost structures while building resilience against reliance on single-channel revenue streams [23].