BABA(US:BABA) 36氪未来消费·2025-07-11 06:58Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the intense competition between Alibaba's Taobao and Meituan in the food delivery market, highlighting a significant battle on July 5, where Taobao launched a major offensive against Meituan, aiming to increase its market share in both food and retail delivery [7][9][28]. Group 1: Competitive Strategies - Taobao's strategy involved a well-planned operation to increase order volume, with internal estimates predicting 70 million orders for the day, while Meituan's usual daily order volume is around 90 million [8][12]. - The launch of Taobao's "Flash Purchase" service was a critical move, integrating delivery capabilities from Ele.me and aiming to capture a larger share of the retail market alongside food delivery [15][27]. - Meituan responded quickly to Taobao's aggressive tactics, mobilizing its resources and increasing subsidies to maintain its market position, indicating a fierce competitive environment [21][22]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The competition intensified due to the entry of JD.com into the food delivery space, which disrupted the existing balance between Meituan and Ele.me, prompting both companies to react strategically [12][13]. - The article notes that the battle on July 5 resulted in a combined order volume of 200 million across the industry, showcasing the high demand and operational capacity of both platforms [30][32]. - The pressure on delivery capacity was evident, with reports of significant delays and operational challenges faced by both companies as they attempted to fulfill the surge in orders [23][31]. Group 3: Financial Implications - The intense competition led to substantial financial losses for both companies, with estimates suggesting over 1 billion in losses on that day alone, highlighting the unsustainable nature of such aggressive subsidy strategies [32][36]. - Meituan's historical profit margins were challenged as the competition escalated, with the need to balance between maintaining order volume and ensuring profitability becoming increasingly complex [32][35]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The article suggests that while Meituan's dominance in food delivery may not be immediately threatened, the rise of Taobao's Flash Purchase could reshape the narrative in the instant retail sector, indicating a potential shift in market dynamics [28][36]. - Both companies are expected to continue their aggressive strategies, with Taobao aiming to establish a "Super Saturday" event to drive sales, while Meituan seeks to achieve higher order peaks during the summer season [38][39].