Core Viewpoint - The Chinese food delivery market is experiencing "involutionary" competition, where platforms and merchants are increasing investments without significant improvements in overall market efficiency, leading to resource misallocation and waste [1][2]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The food delivery industry exhibits typical network economy characteristics, where larger platforms can reduce average delivery costs through increased order and rider density, but this leads to a "subsidy arms race" among competitors [2][3]. - Recent estimates indicate that daily order volume in the food delivery market has peaked at 140 million, significantly up from 100 million year-on-year, with a notable shift towards lower-priced items like beverages [3][4]. Group 2: Economic Theories - The "lemon market" theory explains how information asymmetry leads consumers to rely on price as a primary decision factor, resulting in a market distortion where low-quality offerings prevail [4][5]. - The "disease of cost disease" theory highlights how excessive reliance on subsidies distorts market competition, leading to resource misallocation and inhibiting innovation and quality improvements [6][7]. Group 3: Challenges for Small Merchants - Small merchants face a "prisoner's dilemma" in the price war, where participating may yield short-term sales but create long-term low-price expectations, making it difficult to return to reasonable pricing [7][8]. - The competitive pressure forces small merchants to cut costs, often compromising quality and service, which can damage brand reputation and customer loyalty over time [7][8]. Group 4: Social Costs - The negative impacts of "involutionary" competition extend beyond business, leading to irrational consumption patterns and potential health issues due to increased intake of sugary beverages [9]. - Employment quality is declining as businesses reduce labor costs, affecting workers' rights and job security, while overall market resources are wasted in unproductive competition [9][10]. Group 5: Path to Resolution - To break the cycle of "involutionary" competition, the industry needs to focus on infrastructure improvements and regulatory frameworks that promote sustainable practices rather than relying solely on price subsidies [10][11]. - Enhancing operational efficiency through better logistics and inventory management, along with fostering innovation and quality service, is essential for long-term industry health [10][11].

Core Insights - The article highlights the transformation in the home services industry driven by consumer demand for high-quality and convenient home living, alongside businesses seeking efficiency and cost reduction through internet-based models [1][4] - The company "Wanshifu" has emerged as a leading player in the home installation and repair platform sector in China, recognized for its innovative approach to standardizing services and enhancing transparency [1][4] Industry Overview - The home services market is characterized by a large scale but low concentration, leading to issues such as information asymmetry and inconsistent service quality, often referred to as a "lemon market" [5][10] - The need for industry giants to provide standardized products is crucial to address these challenges, focusing on eliminating pain points like slow service delivery and unclear pricing [5][10] Company Positioning - Wanshifu, established in 2013, has utilized internet technology to deconstruct the "last mile" of home services, creating a standardized service process that enhances consumer trust [6][8] - The company has implemented a transparent pricing model across various service categories, addressing the issue of price opacity and ensuring predictable service delivery [8][9] Standardization Efforts - Wanshifu has actively participated in developing industry standards, contributing to multiple guidelines that enhance service quality and accountability across the home services sector [9][15] - The company has achieved recognition as the top-rated home after-sales service platform in China, reflecting its commitment to standardization and quality [9] Service Provider Development - The growth of service providers on the Wanshifu platform has been significant, with over 3.7 million registered service providers by February 2025, covering 99% of urban areas in China [10][11] - Wanshifu emphasizes the importance of professional education and skill certification for service providers, ensuring a high standard of service delivery [11][14] Ecosystem and Trust Building - The company has built a new ecosystem in the industry by focusing on standardization and mutual satisfaction between consumers and service providers, which is essential for long-term growth [15][16] - Wanshifu's partnerships with major brands like IKEA and its role as a preferred service platform highlight its influence and reputation in the home services market [16][19] Positive Feedback Loop - The company's approach has created a positive feedback loop, enhancing user experience and reducing customer acquisition costs while attracting more skilled service providers to the platform [19]