Core Insights - Alibaba Group has launched a new subsidy initiative called "Super Saturday" as part of its 100-day flash purchase growth plan, offering consumers extremely low prices or even free products [2][3] - The competition in the food delivery market has intensified, with Meituan responding to Alibaba's flash purchase strategy by significantly increasing its own subsidies, resulting in record daily retail orders [3][4] - The three major platforms—Alibaba, Meituan, and JD.com—are collectively investing nearly 100 billion yuan in subsidies to capture market share in the highly competitive food delivery sector [3][4] Alibaba - Alibaba's Taobao Flash Sale has reported over 80 million daily orders, with more than 2 billion active users, indicating strong consumer engagement [2] - The company plans to invest 50 billion yuan in subsidies over the next 12 months, fully funded by the platform [3] - The integration of Ele.me and Fliggy into Alibaba's e-commerce division aims to enhance its competitive edge in the instant retail market [8][9] Meituan - Meituan has recorded a historic daily retail order of 120 million, with over 100 million being food delivery orders, showcasing its strong market position [3][4] - The company is focusing on expanding its instant retail capabilities and has made strategic adjustments to its business model, including the suspension of certain loss-making services [7][8] - Meituan's CEO has emphasized a commitment to winning the food delivery competition at all costs, indicating a willingness to invest heavily in subsidies [4] JD.com - JD.com has announced plans to invest over 10 billion yuan in its food delivery subsidy program, aiming to enhance its market presence [3] - The company is leveraging its supply chain advantages to compete in the instant retail market, although it has faced challenges in establishing a strong foothold [5][6] - JD.com is also exploring cross-selling opportunities in the travel sector, using its food delivery platform to drive traffic to its hotel and travel services [10][14] Market Dynamics - The food delivery market is characterized by intense competition, with Alibaba, Meituan, and JD.com vying for a share of a market that is already heavily dominated by Meituan and Ele.me [4][5] - The shift towards instant retail is seen as a strategic move to capture high-frequency consumer demand, with all three companies adapting their business models accordingly [5][9] - The ongoing subsidy war reflects a broader trend of ecosystem competition, where companies are not only competing for orders but also for user retention and merchant resources [8][11]