第一财经·2026-02-12 03:21Core Viewpoint - The acquisition of Dingdong Maicai by Meituan highlights the strategic necessity for Meituan to enhance its supply chain capabilities in the fresh produce sector, where it currently lacks the operational efficiency and brand trust that competitors like Alibaba's Hema possess [2][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Rationale - Dingdong Maicai is recognized for its unique operational capabilities, particularly in minimizing waste through real-time sales monitoring and automated pricing adjustments, which have allowed it to achieve profitability as an independent entity [2]. - Meituan's acquisition aims to address its shortcomings in the fresh produce supply chain, as it lacks a self-operated product supply chain and brand recognition in this sector [3]. - The acquisition serves as a strategic move for Meituan to quickly acquire a proven system that enhances unit economic efficiency (UE) in the fresh produce category, enabling it to compete more effectively against Hema [3]. Group 2: Industry Insights - The article distinguishes between traditional e-commerce's "long tail theory" and the "shelf economics" that govern instant retail, emphasizing that instant retail cannot afford to stock slow-moving items due to high operational costs [5][6]. - The concept of UE is critical in determining the sustainability of business models in instant retail, where profitability must be calculated after accounting for all costs associated with each order [6]. - Dingdong Maicai's digital system has successfully identified pathways to achieve positive UE in the high-waste fresh produce category, which is a key reason for Meituan's interest in the acquisition [6]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Meituan and Alibaba represent two distinct business models: Meituan's "efficiency model" focuses on stringent UE requirements and operational precision, while Alibaba's "ecosystem model" leverages a vast network of brand supply chains and can absorb short-term UE losses for long-term market development [8][9]. - Meituan's strategy involves enhancing its supply chain capabilities through the acquisition of Dingdong Maicai, aiming to evolve from merely fast delivery to precise selection and low waste [9]. - Alibaba's challenge lies in improving its fulfillment infrastructure and internal coordination to enhance real-time operational efficiency while capitalizing on its ecosystem advantages [9]. Group 4: Future Trends - The future of instant retail is expected to shift towards low-frequency, high-value products, where the complexity of UE calculations increases significantly, necessitating advanced inventory control and supply chain depth [11]. - The competition will evolve from a focus on traffic and delivery capacity to a deeper battle over AI-driven infrastructure that optimizes every aspect of the supply chain [11][12]. - Meituan's path involves leveraging AI to enhance its supply chain operations, while Alibaba aims to redefine user interaction through AI models that better understand and fulfill consumer needs [12].