Core Viewpoint - Meituan's CEO Wang Xing emphasized the company's commitment to winning the competitive landscape of food delivery, stating that the winner will be highly valuable, indicating a shift from a previous focus on long-term growth to a more aggressive competitive stance [1][4]. Group 1: Meituan's Current Situation - Meituan has evolved from a startup focused on "boundaryless expansion" to a dominant player willing to "spare no effort" to win in the competitive market [4][12]. - The entry of JD.com into the food delivery market has significantly challenged Meituan's established position, highlighting the competitive pressures it faces [6][11]. - Meituan's first-quarter revenue reached 86.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 18%, with adjusted net profit of 10.9 billion, up 46% [8]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - JD.com has adopted a strategic approach by implementing strict merchant entry standards, hiring full-time delivery riders, and offering brand subsidies to enhance consumer recognition [7][22]. - JD.com has quickly gained traction, achieving a daily order volume of 25 million and plans to expand its full-time rider base to 150,000 [23]. - The competitive dynamics have shifted public sentiment towards JD.com, as it presents itself as a viable alternative to Meituan, which has faced criticism for its operational practices [11][24]. Group 3: Historical Context and Challenges - Meituan's history includes significant battles, such as the "group-buying war," which established its market dominance, but it now faces a more formidable competitor in JD.com [14][18]. - The company has struggled with public perception and internal coherence, leading to challenges in addressing key issues like rider welfare and merchant complaints about high commissions [16][19]. - The current competitive environment reflects a broader shift towards high-quality development, contrasting with Meituan's aggressive rhetoric [17][20].

Core Viewpoint - JD.com has entered the food delivery market with a focus on providing social security benefits to delivery riders, sparking competition among major players like Meituan and Ele.me regarding rider welfare [2][5][6]. Group 1: JD.com's Actions and Market Position - JD.com officially launched its food delivery service on February 11, 2023, with two main initiatives: providing social security for full-time riders and offering zero commission for new merchants in Beijing [2][3]. - The company plans to gradually cover social security costs for full-time riders starting March 1, 2025, and will also provide accident and health insurance for part-time riders [4]. - Within a week of its launch, JD.com expanded its delivery service to 39 cities, with some cities experiencing over 100 times growth in order volume [14]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The announcement of social security for riders has prompted Meituan and Ele.me to respond quickly, with Meituan stating it has been working on social security for its riders since July 2022, and Ele.me claiming to have started providing social security for its "Blue Riders" in early 2023 [2][4][16]. - The food delivery market has seen a shift where riders are increasingly viewed as permanent gig workers, making welfare benefits a critical topic for major companies [6][8]. Group 3: Challenges and Strategic Decisions - JD.com faces challenges in attracting small and medium-sized merchants to its platform, as the Chinese food service market is highly fragmented [35][36]. - The company is also contending with the siphoning effect of larger platforms, as seen with Ele.me's struggles after being acquired by Alibaba [36]. - JD.com’s strategy appears to be more defensive, focusing on maintaining its market position rather than aggressive expansion, especially given the low-profit margins of its core business [41][42]. Group 4: Broader Implications and Future Directions - The entry into food delivery is seen as a way for JD.com to leverage high-frequency demand to enhance its logistics capabilities, which are crucial for its broader e-commerce operations [50][53]. - The competition in the food delivery sector is not just about food but also about logistics efficiency and the ability to meet consumer demands for rapid delivery [55][56]. - JD.com’s long-term strategy may involve integrating its food delivery service with its existing logistics network to create a more comprehensive service offering [52][54].