Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-02-12 08:24Core Insights - Alibaba is committed to investing heavily in Taobao Flash Purchase, with no concerns about losses for the next three years, as part of a strategic push in the instant retail sector [1][21][22] Investment Strategy - The management has set a goal for 2026 to increase investment in Taobao Flash Purchase beyond the previous year, focusing on instant retail [2][22] - The emphasis is on high-value orders over 30 yuan and improving operational efficiency in delivery [3][23] Market Positioning - As of now, Meituan holds over 50% market share in the food delivery sector, while Taobao Flash Purchase has around 40%, with JD.com below 5% [6][26] - The strategy has shifted from merely increasing order volume to enhancing the quality of orders, aiming for 60% of orders to be above 30 yuan [6][26] Competitive Dynamics - The competition is intensifying, with both Taobao Flash Purchase and Meituan focusing on delivery efficiency and rider availability [7][27] - Taobao Flash Purchase has improved its delivery times in southern cities, surpassing Meituan in areas like Guangzhou and Shenzhen [8][28] Infrastructure Development - Instant retail requires long-term investment and is currently in the warehouse construction phase, with a focus on high-demand categories like pharmaceuticals, alcohol, and fresh produce [10][30] - Alibaba is building multiple delivery warehouses to support instant retail, including around 200 front warehouses and plans for additional ones [33] User Engagement and AI Integration - The launch of the AI assistant Qianwen has accelerated the push for Taobao Flash Purchase, with significant investments aimed at cultivating consumer habits in using AI for shopping [17][36] - The app saw a surge in daily active users, reaching approximately 7.5 million shortly after a promotional campaign [19][37] Future Outlook - The company is exploring various scenarios for in-store business and aims to capture a larger market share from Meituan by summer 2026 [3][23] - The integration of instant retail with Alibaba's main e-commerce platform is expected to enhance visibility and drive traffic to Taobao Flash Purchase [12][31]