36氪·2025-07-11 07:35Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the intense competition between Alibaba's Taobao and Meituan in the food delivery and instant retail sectors, highlighting a significant battle on July 5, where Taobao launched a major offensive against Meituan, aiming to increase its market share in both food delivery and retail orders [6][8][24]. Group 1: Taobao's Strategy and Actions - On July 5, Taobao's flash purchase service aimed to achieve 70 million orders, competing directly with Meituan's usual daily order volume of around 90 million [7][19]. - Taobao's flash purchase received a substantial investment of 50 billion yuan, enabling it to aggressively pursue market share in the food delivery sector [7][8]. - The ambition of Taobao's flash purchase is to elevate retail order volumes alongside food delivery, integrating near-field e-commerce with traditional e-commerce [8][22]. Group 2: Meituan's Response - Meituan's leadership quickly mobilized its team in response to Taobao's aggressive strategy, with a focus on maintaining its market share and countering Taobao's subsidies [18][19]. - Meituan's strategy included significant subsidies to both consumers and delivery personnel, aiming to retain customer loyalty and order volume amidst the competitive pressure [20][21]. - The competition led to a record-breaking day for both platforms, with Meituan reporting over 1.2 billion orders and Taobao exceeding 80 million orders on the same day [26][28]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Implications - The competition between Taobao and Meituan reflects a broader trend in the instant retail market, where both companies are striving to capture consumer demand through aggressive marketing and operational strategies [22][31]. - The article notes that the combined order volume of 200 million on that day indicates a significant shift in consumer behavior and market dynamics, with both companies willing to incur substantial losses to gain market share [28][29]. - The ongoing battle is expected to reshape the landscape of instant retail, with both companies aiming to establish themselves as leaders in this rapidly evolving sector [24][34].