Core Viewpoint - The competition in the instant retail sector is intensifying, with major players like Taobao Flash Sale, Meituan, and JD.com rapidly increasing their daily order volumes, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards "instant gratification" and "on-demand" shopping experiences [1][2][10]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Taobao Flash Sale and Ele.me reported daily orders exceeding 80 million, a significant increase in response to Meituan's reported daily orders of 150 million [1][3]. - The competition is no longer limited to traditional meal delivery but has expanded to include a variety of products, indicating a broader market for instant retail [1][4]. - The rise of instant retail is reshaping consumer decision-making, moving from planned purchases to spontaneous, low-barrier buying decisions [2][11]. Group 2: Competitive Strategies - Different platforms are adopting varied strategies; JD.com focuses on quality and brand partnerships, while Taobao Flash Sale integrates with Alibaba's broader ecosystem for rapid growth [7][9]. - Meituan's strategy relies heavily on aggressive discounting and promotional offers, including zero-cost orders, to drive order volume [7][8]. - Taobao Flash Sale emphasizes a category-driven approach, leveraging existing consumer habits to accelerate the shift towards instant consumption [9][12]. Group 3: Supply Chain and Fulfillment - The competition is not just about order volume but also about building efficient supply chains and fulfillment systems to meet the demands of instant retail [4][15]. - Meituan has the largest delivery network, with 7.45 million registered couriers, ensuring a competitive edge in delivery speed and reliability [13][14]. - Taobao Flash Sale is restructuring its delivery paths to enhance efficiency, focusing on higher-value non-food items and optimizing rider incentives [14][15]. Group 4: Consumer Behavior and Merchant Impact - Instant retail is changing consumer habits, creating a new norm of "no-preference, spontaneous purchasing" that is difficult to reverse [11][12]. - The influx of subsidies and promotional strategies is altering the merchant landscape, with a notable increase in new merchants joining platforms like Taobao Flash Sale [12][13]. - The impact of price wars is particularly challenging for food service merchants, leading to concerns about profitability amidst rising order volumes [13][15].