36氪·2025-08-13 10:22Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong is becoming a battleground for major mainland internet companies, which are aggressively expanding their presence in the region to capture local consumer markets and establish a foothold for international expansion [6][8][30]. Group 1: Market Entry and Strategies - Major internet companies like JD.com and Meituan are entering the Hong Kong market, with JD.com planning to acquire the local supermarket chain Jia Bao for approximately HKD 4 billion [10][11]. - Over 1,300 overseas and mainland companies have established a presence in Hong Kong from January 2023 to mid-2025, with nearly half coming from mainland China [12]. - The competitive landscape in Hong Kong is shifting as these companies move beyond cloud services and financial payments to directly influence local consumer behavior [7][19]. Group 2: Competitive Dynamics - Meituan launched its food delivery service Keeta in May 2023, quickly gaining traction and achieving significant order volumes within its first few months [15][21]. - The entry of mainland companies has led to increased competition, with local players like HKTVmall feeling the pressure to adapt [18][30]. - Keeta has captured approximately 27% of the market share in the food delivery sector within six months, challenging established players like Deliveroo and Foodpanda [32][34]. Group 3: Financial Investments and Subsidies - Meituan's Keeta offered substantial subsidies to attract users, including a HKD 1 billion incentive for new users, which is comparable to much larger investments in mainland China [21][22]. - JD.com and Alibaba have also announced significant financial commitments to enhance their logistics and service offerings in Hong Kong, with JD.com planning an initial investment of HKD 1.5 billion [22][29]. - The scale of these investments in Hong Kong, relative to its smaller market size, indicates a strategic approach to establish a strong foothold before expanding further [22][37]. Group 4: Challenges and Market Characteristics - The high cost of labor and complex logistics in Hong Kong present challenges for mainland companies, making it difficult to replicate their mainland success [24][36]. - Despite the potential for growth, the online retail penetration in Hong Kong remains low compared to mainland China, with only 9.3% of retail sales coming from online channels [36][37]. - The unique market dynamics in Hong Kong require companies to adapt their strategies to local consumer habits and operational challenges [35][37]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Success in Hong Kong is seen as a stepping stone for these companies to enter more complex international markets, with Meituan already expanding into the Middle East [38]. - The competitive landscape in Hong Kong is expected to evolve as these companies refine their business models and logistics capabilities [30][38].