Core Insights - The competition in the discount supermarket sector is intensifying, with major players like JD.com, Meituan, and Alibaba's Hema entering the fray to capture market share in lower-tier cities [1][2] - Consumer behavior is shifting towards valuing price over experience, driving the demand for discount supermarkets as a response to changing consumption trends [2][5] - The potential of lower-tier markets is significant, as consumers in these areas are price-sensitive yet still demand quality products [2][6] Company Strategies - JD.com is launching discount supermarkets in Suqian and Zhuozhou, with plans to offer over 5,000 products at competitive prices, leveraging its strong supply chain for cost efficiency [1][5] - Meituan's "Happy Monkey" discount supermarket aims to create a three-dimensional ecosystem combining instant retail, hard discounts, and local services, utilizing its delivery network for operational efficiency [6][7] - Hema is focusing on community-based discount stores (Hema NB) to penetrate local markets, closing larger membership stores to streamline operations [1][6] Market Trends - The discount retail sector is experiencing rapid growth, with the snack market projected to exceed 400 billion yuan by 2024, and discount retail stores expected to surpass 35,000 nationwide [2][5] - The competition is evolving into a battle of supply chain efficiency, with each company adopting different strategies to enhance their market presence [7][8] - The entry of these major players into the discount supermarket space indicates a significant shift in retail dynamics, where online and offline distinctions are blurring [7][8]