Core Viewpoint - The competition in the local service market is intensifying, with Meituan facing challenges from Douyin and Alibaba, as they both seek to capture market share in the restaurant and local service sectors [2][5][42]. Group 1: Douyin's Entry and Impact - Douyin's entry into the local service market has significantly disrupted Meituan's growth, with Douyin's order volume surpassing Meituan's during promotional events [4][5]. - Douyin's aggressive marketing strategies, including live streaming and heavy subsidies, have attracted merchants and consumers alike, leading to rapid user growth [4][9]. - The competitive landscape has shifted, with Douyin's user base expanding quickly, putting pressure on Meituan to respond effectively [3][13]. Group 2: Meituan's Response Strategies - In response to Douyin's rise, Meituan has initiated several defensive strategies, including launching live streaming features and shifting to a direct sales model in lower-tier cities [25][27]. - Meituan's efforts to support merchants through subsidies and reduced commissions have helped maintain its market position, although this has come at a significant financial cost [30][31]. - The internal restructuring within Meituan aims to enhance operational efficiency and adapt to the changing market dynamics, with a focus on integrating its delivery and local service businesses [31][34]. Group 3: Alibaba's Involvement - Alibaba's recent entry into the local service market through Taobao and Gaode has introduced a new competitive element, potentially reshaping the market dynamics further [42][43]. - Gaode's "Street Ranking" feature aims to leverage user behavior data to provide a unique evaluation system, challenging the existing dominance of platforms like Dazhongdianping [48][50]. - The competition is evolving into a three-way battle, with Meituan, Douyin, and Alibaba all vying for market share, which could lead to increased pressure on Meituan's profitability [54][56]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - The local service market remains attractive due to its higher profit margins compared to food delivery, prompting ongoing interest from various players [66][68]. - The competition is expected to continue intensifying, with new entrants and existing players exploring innovative strategies to capture consumer attention and market share [67][68]. - The evolving landscape suggests that the battle for dominance in the local service sector is far from over, with potential for further disruptions and shifts in market leadership [65][68].

Core Insights - Alibaba's Gaode Map launched the world's first user behavior-based ranking list, "Gaode Street Ranking," and initiated a "Good Store Support Plan" with over 1 billion yuan in subsidies to encourage offline consumption, aiming to bring 10 million customers daily to the service industry [1] - Meituan faces intensified competition in both its in-store and delivery services from new entrants like Gaode and established players like JD and Taobao [1][5] - Meituan's financial performance has been negatively impacted by the competition, with a significant drop in net profit and adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2025 [1][2] Delivery Competition - Meituan's revenue for the first half of 2025 was 91.84 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 11.7%, but net profit fell by 96.8% to 365 million yuan, and adjusted EBITDA decreased by 81.5% to 2.782 billion yuan [1] - The sales cost for Meituan rose by 27% to 61.4 billion yuan, with the proportion of sales costs in revenue increasing from 58.8% in Q2 2024 to 66.9% in Q2 2025 [2] - Sales and marketing expenses grew by 51.8% to 22.5 billion yuan, reflecting increased spending on promotions and user incentives due to fierce competition [2] Rider Welfare and Support - Meituan has expanded occupational injury insurance to all riders in 17 provinces and cities, with plans to roll out pension insurance subsidies nationwide by the end of 2025 [3] - Meituan's CEO reported that the company served 770 million users and connected 3.36 million riders monthly, with peak daily orders for instant retail exceeding 150 million [3] - JD has also enhanced rider benefits, including full insurance coverage and seasonal subsidies for riders during extreme weather [3][4] In-store Business Challenges - Gaode's entry into the in-store business poses a new challenge for Meituan, which relies on this segment for revenue growth amid increasing competition [5][6] - Gaode's Street Ranking covers over 7 million restaurant locations and has launched various behavior-based rankings, indicating a strong commitment to the in-store market [6][7] - Meituan's core local business revenue was 65.347 billion yuan in Q2 2025, a 7.7% year-on-year increase, but operating profit dropped by 75.6% [7]