隐形的便利店，美团淘宝的即时零售暗战丨外卖混战④

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the competitive landscape of instant retail in China, focusing on the emergence and growth of "flash warehouses" created by Meituan, which are essential for the supply chain in instant retail and are being leveraged by competitors like Alibaba's Taobao Flash Sale to capture market share [2][4][5]. Summary by Sections Flash Warehouse Concept - Flash warehouses are a new store format developed by Meituan's instant retail team, typically located in non-retail spaces and offering a wide range of products for local residents [3][4]. - As of October 2024, Meituan plans to expand its flash warehouses from 30,000 to 100,000 [4]. Competitive Dynamics - In recent weeks, Taobao Flash Sale has reported daily order volumes exceeding 90 million, while Meituan's daily orders are around 120 million, indicating a stable gap of 30 million orders between the two platforms [4][5]. - Meituan's flash sale business is projected to achieve a transaction volume of approximately 400 billion yuan in 2024, with over a million merchants onboard, including 30,000 flash warehouses [5][6]. Merchant Strategies - Many flash warehouse merchants initially relied on incentives and subsidies from Meituan to grow their businesses, leading to deep partnerships [5][6]. - Taobao Flash Sale has introduced attractive subsidies for new merchants, which has led to a significant increase in order volumes for participating stores [8][9]. Market Trends - The competition among flash warehouses has intensified, with merchants lowering prices to attract customers, sometimes even below offline retail prices [10]. - Merchants express concerns that aggressive subsidies and competition may lead to unhealthy consumer habits and increased losses [11]. Supply Chain and Operational Efficiency - Meituan has developed a data system called "Qian Niu Hua" to optimize supply chain management and enhance operational efficiency across its flash warehouses [13][14]. - Taobao Flash Sale is leveraging Alibaba's existing supply chain resources to enhance its product offerings and improve delivery capabilities [15][16]. Future Outlook - The article suggests that the infrastructure and consumer habits cultivated by Meituan may benefit competitors like Alibaba and JD.com, as they enter the instant retail space [18][19]. - The competitive landscape is evolving, with both Meituan and Taobao Flash Sale aiming to capture a larger share of the instant retail market through strategic partnerships and operational improvements [17][20].