3 6 Ke·2026-02-13 08:50Core Viewpoint - The ongoing competition in the food delivery industry is intensifying, with platforms increasing commission rates and imposing new fees on merchants, leading to rising operational pressures for businesses [1][9][10]. Summary by Sections Commission Increases - Many merchants across various regions, including Hebei and Guangdong, have reported an increase in commission rates, with some rates rising from 6.4% to 7.4% [1]. - In areas like Jiangsu and Anhui, commission rates for self-delivery are nearing 20% [5]. - Merchants are facing pressure to sign new contracts quickly, with non-compliance resulting in store delisting [1]. Market Dynamics - The food delivery market has seen significant financial losses, with major platforms collectively spending over 800 billion in the past year [11]. - Companies like JD and Meituan have reported substantial losses, with JD's new business segment losing 157 billion and Meituan's local business shifting from profit to a loss of 141 billion [11]. - Alibaba's food delivery segment is estimated to have losses between 350 billion to 400 billion [11]. Merchant Challenges - Merchants are increasingly burdened by rising costs, with many reporting that marketing investments do not translate into profits, leading to a cycle of increased spending without corresponding revenue [12][18]. - A report indicated that 63% of merchants are experiencing growth in orders without an increase in revenue, with an average revenue drop of 4% and total profit declining by 8.9% [18]. Strategic Shifts - Platforms are shifting their strategies from aggressive subsidies to optimizing user structures and improving subsidy efficiency [9][23]. - The recent increase in commission rates is seen as a method to reduce losses and may lead to a broader trend of rising fees across the industry [24]. - The focus is shifting towards retaining high-value customers rather than attracting low-value ones, indicating a strategic pivot in the competitive landscape [23]. Future Predictions - The food delivery market is expected to see continued financial investment to secure market share, but with a more calculated approach to spending [23]. - A potential wave of commission increases may occur as platforms test merchants' willingness to accept higher costs in exchange for customer flow [24]. - Price increases in food delivery services may lead to a decrease in overall orders, potentially returning the market to pre-competitive levels [25].