Core Insights - The irrational competition in the food delivery sector is expected to transition to a more rational and mature phase, with platforms that possess deep industry insights, proven operational excellence, and sustainable high-quality growth becoming industry leaders [1] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The ongoing food delivery battle has led to significant financial losses for major players, with Meituan reporting a loss of 16 billion, Alibaba's profit dropping by 76%, and JD's net profit halving, resulting in over 77 billion burned in just one quarter [2][4][5] - The competition is characterized by a lack of unified victory standards, as the three major players (Meituan, Alibaba, and JD) are not competing on the same track, leading to a scenario where no clear winner emerges [9][14] Group 2: Company Strategies - JD initiated the competition but is now focusing on building its supply chain capabilities, with a projected loss of 34 billion in its instant retail business by 2025 [4][10] - Alibaba views food delivery as a high-frequency trigger to activate its broader e-commerce platform, aiming to enhance user engagement and overall consumption [11] - Meituan sees food delivery as a critical lifeline, emphasizing its foundational role in the company's ecosystem and its strategy to maintain market dominance [12][13] Group 3: Financial Performance - JD's net profit fell by 54.7% year-on-year to 5.3 billion, while its marketing expenses surged by 110.5% to 21.1 billion due to increased promotional activities [4] - Alibaba's adjusted EBITA dropped from 44.3 billion to 10.5 billion, primarily due to a significant reduction in flash sales [5] - Meituan's core local business revenue decreased by 2.8%, resulting in a loss of 14.1 billion, equating to a daily loss of 1.5 billion [6] Group 4: Future Outlook - The three companies have signaled a shift towards efficiency and strategic focus, with terms like "reduction," "unsustainable," and "strategic focus" being commonly used [15][17] - The future of the food delivery market will likely involve smarter subsidy strategies, with a shift from indiscriminate coupons to targeted promotions, and a focus on high-value user engagement [19][20]