Core Viewpoint - The report from China Merchants Securities expresses optimism about Alibaba's e-commerce business stability, growth potential in its delivery and in-store services, and long-term growth prospects in cloud and AI sectors, projecting Non-GAAP net profits of 101.3 billion, 155.5 billion, and 203.4 billion yuan for FY2026-2028, respectively, with a target price of 199 HKD per share and a "strong buy" rating [1] E-commerce Business - Alibaba's e-commerce sector maintains robust competitiveness, with GMV growth aligned with the overall online retail market, and an expected steady increase in monetization rates driven by improved penetration of full-site promotions and rapid growth in flash sales [1] - Profitability in traditional e-commerce is anticipated to recover due to favorable industry competition and significant revenue growth compared to the previous year [1] Instant Delivery Services - The Taobao flash sales segment has shown rapid development, with daily orders reaching 80 million in August, and while September saw seasonal fluctuations, market share remained stable [2] - Increased investment in the September quarter is expected to lead to improved profitability in the future, driven by lower customer acquisition costs, a higher proportion of large orders, and cost optimization from economies of scale [2] In-store Group Buying - Gaode launched the "Street Ranking" feature, which utilizes user behavior data to enhance the offline service credit system, achieving over 400 million users within 23 days of launch [3] - With a projected MAU of 890 million for Gaode by August 2025, the penetration rate of the Street Ranking feature is nearly 50%, supported by significant subsidies to reduce user costs for in-store visits, indicating substantial growth potential [3] Cloud and AI Business - Alibaba Cloud's revenue is experiencing accelerated growth driven by increasing customer demand for AI, with expectations for continued upward trends in revenue growth in upcoming quarters [4] - The company plans to invest significantly in AI infrastructure, with a commitment of 380 billion yuan, reinforcing its competitive advantage in the cloud computing sector as a leader in AI capabilities and infrastructure [4]

Core Insights - Alibaba is expanding its local life services by launching a new in-store group buying feature through Taobao Flash Sales, initially covering key commercial areas in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Jiaxing [1][4] - The new service aims to leverage the existing user base and merchant resources from its food delivery platform Ele.me, enhancing customer engagement and driving foot traffic to physical stores [11][12] Group 1: Business Expansion - Taobao Flash Sales has launched in-store group buying, marking a strategic extension from home delivery to in-store consumption [4][8] - The service is designed to attract users who are already engaged in home delivery, thus creating a dual demand for both delivery and in-store dining [10][14] - The group buying feature is expected to be rolled out to more first- and second-tier cities across China [1][2] Group 2: Market Strategy - The group buying initiative is timed to coincide with the upcoming "Golden Week" holiday, which typically sees a spike in restaurant traffic [14][15] - The platform offers significant discounts, with group meal packages starting at 9.9 yuan and discounts ranging from 30% to 60% [1][11] - By integrating with other Alibaba apps like Alipay and Gaode, the initiative aims to maximize exposure and user engagement [1][5] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Compared to competitors like Douyin, which focuses on live-streaming sales, Taobao Flash Sales benefits from a more established ecosystem that enhances transaction efficiency [23][28] - The in-store group buying market is seen as less challenging to penetrate than home delivery, with lower fulfillment costs and higher average transaction values [6][20] - The overall market for in-store dining is substantial, with a growing trend towards digitalization in the restaurant industry, presenting a significant opportunity for Alibaba [26][27] Group 4: Merchant Engagement - The initiative is expected to benefit merchants by providing them with additional channels to attract customers, especially as many restaurants face operational pressures [15][16] - Merchants are likely to appreciate the opportunity to convert online engagement into in-store visits, thus enhancing their overall revenue potential [11][22] - The collaboration with Ele.me allows for a seamless transition of existing restaurant partnerships into the new group buying model [11][12]

Core Insights - Alibaba's Taobao Flash Sale has launched an in-store group buying service, initially in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Jiaxing, to compete with Meituan and Douyin in the instant retail sector [1][4][18] - The service aims to attract users by offering discounts and is seen as a natural extension of existing offerings, with a focus on enhancing consumer and merchant experiences [6][9] - The competition landscape is evolving, with various platforms like Gaode and Douyin also entering the in-store group buying space, indicating a shift in how local services are marketed and consumed [10][14] Group 1: Taobao Flash Sale's Strategy - Taobao Flash Sale's in-store group buying service was officially launched on September 20, 2023, with a focus on multiple food categories [4][6] - The initial rollout is part of a broader strategy to leverage existing user bases and enhance service offerings, with plans for expansion into more cities [1][9] - The pricing strategy shows competitive pricing against Meituan, with some products priced lower on Taobao Flash Sale, particularly in the tea and dessert categories [6][4] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Gaode has introduced its own features to compete with platforms like Dazhong Dianping, while also hiring for local life-related positions, indicating its commitment to the in-store group buying market [10][11] - Douyin is actively pursuing in-store group buying as a key growth area, with plans for significant promotional events to boost sales [14] - Other platforms like Kuaishou and Xiaohongshu are also exploring local life services, indicating a trend towards diversification in service offerings across multiple platforms [15][18] Group 3: Merchant Perspectives - Merchants express a preference for private domain operations, indicating a desire to retain customer relationships beyond platform-driven sales [18] - Feedback from merchants suggests that the operational model for Taobao Flash Sale's group buying is similar to that of Meituan, focusing on signing contracts with merchants and facilitating offline redemption [8][18] - The competitive dynamics suggest that while platforms vie for user attention, merchants are primarily concerned with profitability and customer retention [18]

Core Insights - Taobao Flash Sale has officially launched its in-store group buying service as of September 20, covering key commercial areas in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Jiaxing, with a focus on various dining categories [3][6] - The group buying service is integrated across multiple platforms, including Taobao Flash Sale, Alipay, and Gaode, indicating a strategic move to leverage a large user base [4][3] - The initiative aims to enhance user experience by extending discounts and services to dine-in options, responding to consumer and merchant demand [3][5] Group Buying Business Overview - The initial group buying offerings include popular dining options such as tea drinks, desserts, and local specialties, with competitive pricing strategies [6][5] - Notable participating brands include both national chains and local favorites, showcasing a diverse range of options for consumers [6] - The pricing for group deals is significantly reduced, with examples like a hot pot meal originally priced at 170 yuan now available for 68 yuan [6] User Engagement and Traffic Potential - The integration of group buying across three platforms presents a potential user base of 1 billion daily active users (DAU), enhancing traffic for participating merchants [4] - The group buying initiative is supported by a robust supply chain and user-generated content (UGC) to ensure a comprehensive service offering [5] Strategic Alignment with Alibaba's Goals - Alibaba's e-commerce CEO indicated that the Flash Sale business has approximately 150 million DAU, highlighting the demand for in-store pickup and group buying services [7] - The launch of the group buying service aligns with Alibaba's broader strategy to diversify service offerings and enhance user satisfaction [7] Innovative Marketing and Promotion - Gaode's "Street Ranking" initiative has redefined industry standards for local business promotion, achieving 40 million DAU on its first day and increasing traffic to featured stores by 187% [7] - Merchants participating in the group buying program will receive promotional support both online and offline, including in-store materials to attract customers [8] Merchant Perspective - Merchants involved in the initial group buying phase express optimism, viewing the initiative as a way to increase revenue, regardless of the profit margin [9]

Core Viewpoint - Alibaba's Taobao Flash has quietly launched an "in-store group buying" service, expanding its local lifestyle offerings amidst fierce competition in the market [1][2]. Group 1: Business Development - The "in-store group buying" service has been launched in key commercial areas of Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Jiaxing, covering various food categories such as beverages, desserts, and local specialties [1][2]. - This move is seen as a natural progression in Alibaba's business development, enhancing the functionality of the Taobao app and filling a crucial gap in its local lifestyle segment [1][2]. Group 2: Market Context - The local lifestyle market is highly competitive, with Alibaba's actions intensifying the existing rivalry [1][3]. - Other players like Meituan and Douyin have already established a presence in the "in-store group buying" space, indicating a challenging environment for Alibaba [5][6]. Group 3: Strategic Insights - Experts suggest that Alibaba's integration of payment systems through Alipay, along with its established platforms like Gaode Map and Taobao Live, provides a competitive edge in the "in-store group buying" market [6][3]. - The rapid growth of Taobao Flash is expected to facilitate the quick rollout of the new service, leveraging abundant traffic to attract customers [6][3]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Alibaba's strategic direction is becoming clearer, with recent organizational changes aimed at transforming from an e-commerce platform to a comprehensive consumer platform [6][7]. - The company's first-quarter financial results indicate significant growth in its instant retail business, suggesting a positive trajectory for its new initiatives [6][7].

江湖传闻已久，淘宝闪购要下场到店团购，现在真的来了。 今日上午，36氪独家问询了解到，淘宝闪购确已于9月20日启动到店团购业务，首批覆盖上海、深圳、 嘉兴三个城市的核心商业区域，涉及茶饮、甜品、正餐、自助餐及城市特色小吃等多个餐饮品类。这批 团购商品，除了在淘宝闪购，也同时在支付宝、高德APP等多个入口同时上架。 "水到渠成的业务发展，从闪购上线以来，消费者和商家都一直希望闪购的优惠和服务能延展到堂 食。"淘宝闪购相关负责人对36氪表示，"因此我们的产品和服务也已经相应升级。" 从整个阿里视角来看，这也是继高德扫街榜打响第一枪后，在到店业务上又往前进了一步。 据36氪了解，淘宝闪购的"到店团购"业务，目前由饿了么团队主要负责产品、供给和运营，与高德、支 付宝也深度协同。首批上线的三个城市，用户可从淘宝闪购频道的金刚位、或搜索"到店团购"等关键词 进入，此外在高德商家页面、支付宝卡包神券也都有相应入口，用户可下单购买团购产品。 这三端入口，意味着10亿级DAU潜力的流量基本盘。 团购业务目前仍以餐饮为主，涉及茶饮、甜品、正餐、自助餐及城市特色小吃，此次参与淘宝闪购团购 业务的合作品牌，既包括桂满陇、新旺茶餐厅、 ...

Core Viewpoint - JD.com is expanding its in-store group buying business to compete with Meituan and Douyin in the food delivery market, focusing on quality dining establishments and aiming to diversify its revenue streams [1][3][7]. Group 1: Business Strategy - JD.com is incentivizing service providers to expand in-store group buying, particularly targeting full-service restaurants like hot pot and barbecue [1][3]. - The company is offering a 100 yuan incentive per store for service providers to onboard quality dining establishments that opened before July 31, excluding fast food and dessert categories [3][5]. - JD.com requires that the original prices of in-store dining products do not exceed those on Meituan or Ele.me, and the number of products must also match or exceed those platforms [3][5]. Group 2: Market Competition - Meituan is currently the leading player in the in-store group buying market, with a significant increase in order volume and active users in 2024 [5][7]. - Douyin has also seen substantial growth in its group buying segment, with a 221.17% increase in order redemption rates year-on-year [7]. - The competition is intensifying as JD.com, Meituan, and Douyin vie for market share in the local service sector, which is projected to grow significantly by 2025 [8][9]. Group 3: Revenue Generation - In-store group buying is seen as a lucrative revenue stream for JD.com, allowing the platform to earn advertising fees while driving traffic to dining establishments [1][5]. - The commission for merchants participating in JD.com's in-store group buying is set at 5%, with additional incentives for service providers who successfully onboard new restaurants [5][6]. - The local service market is expected to reach a scale of 35.3 trillion yuan by 2025, highlighting the potential for revenue growth in this sector [8]. Group 4: Operational Focus - JD.com is shifting its subsidy strategy to focus on quality dining options rather than competing in the price war for delivery services [9][10]. - The company is investing over 10 billion yuan to support quality dining merchants and enhancing rider benefits to improve service quality [9][10]. - JD.com aims to differentiate itself by leveraging its supply chain capabilities and expanding its B2B market presence [10][11].