Group 1 - The core point of the article is the significant drop in domestic flight ticket prices, with some tickets being sold for as low as 20 yuan, which has sparked curiosity about the reasons behind such low pricing [1][3][4] - In September, flight prices from popular tourist cities like Shanghai, Wuhan, and Nanning have decreased dramatically, with some routes offering tickets at 1 to 2 times the original price [3][4] - The phenomenon of extremely low ticket prices is attributed to various pricing strategies employed by airlines, including price discrimination and differential pricing to maximize profits [6][7] Group 2 - Airlines implement price discrimination by offering different prices based on consumer segments and booking conditions, allowing them to capture varying willingness to pay [6][7] - The pricing of round-trip flights can be influenced by the passenger flow on both legs, leading airlines to lower prices on outbound flights to fill seats and balance passenger numbers [9][10] - Airlines face seasonal fluctuations in demand, with significant profit differences between peak and off-peak seasons, prompting them to use low-priced tickets as a marketing strategy during slow periods [10][12] Group 3 - The marginal cost of selling additional tickets can lead to extremely low prices when the fixed costs are already covered by higher-priced tickets sold to business travelers [12][13] - The presence of multiple ticket price types on the same flight allows airlines to cater to both high-end customers and price-sensitive travelers, optimizing aircraft utilization and profitability [13]

Group 1 - The core concept discussed is price discrimination, which refers to the practice of charging different prices for the same product to different consumers [1] - Price discrimination is categorized into two types: first-degree and second-degree [1]

Core Viewpoint - The term "involution" reflects a superficial price war among companies, but its deeper essence lies in the imbalance of value creation models [1] Economic Roots of "Involution" - Price discrimination and market segmentation failure are significant inducements for "involution," where companies fail to effectively cover high willingness-to-pay consumer groups, leading to increased price sensitivity among overall consumers [2] - Supply-demand imbalance exacerbates the spread of price wars, as excessive competition can lead to oversupply, causing prices to drop below costs and overall industry profit levels to decline [3] - Unsustainable pricing below average variable costs (AVC) further weakens companies' competitive resilience, as long-term pricing strategies must cover both AVC and average costs (AC) to ensure profitability and support reinvestment [3] Economic Logic of "Anti-Involution" - "Anti-involution" is not a denial of competition but a restructuring of competitive frameworks, focusing on value creation rather than low-dimensional price competition [4] - Key paths include restoring pricing power, achieving supply-demand matching, and returning to cost-based pricing, which are interrelated and form the internal logic of "anti-involution" [4] Transition from "Involution" to "Creation" - Companies need to build a comprehensive competitive system based on precise pricing, driven by technological innovation and brand building, to shift from passive consumption to active creation [6] - Technological innovation is fundamental for long-term competitiveness, allowing companies to shift focus from price comparison to performance, quality, and experience [6] - Brand building and emotional premium can enhance pricing power, as consumers are willing to pay for recognition and values [6] - Cross-industry collaboration and supply chain cooperation can help the industry escape inefficient competition by reducing redundant investments and improving resource utilization [6] - Digital empowerment through big data and AI can support precise pricing and demand forecasting, reducing the risk of excessive competition [7]

Core Viewpoint - Liu Qiangdong expresses a strong commitment to eliminating price discrimination that has existed in the country for thousands of years [2] Group 1 - Liu Qiangdong's statement highlights the ongoing issue of price discrimination in the market [2] - The company is actively engaging with e-commerce platforms to address consumer concerns, as evidenced by reports of some platforms offering free disposal services for old mattresses [2]

Group 1 - The U.S. House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, has issued a subpoena to Harvard University President Alan Garber for documents and communications related to tuition [1] - The committee expresses concerns about potential collusion among Ivy League schools to "collectively raise tuition" and implement "selective financial aid schemes to achieve perfect price discrimination and maximize profits" [1]