Core Insights - The explosive growth of instant retail is evident, with JD.com handling an average of 25 million orders daily and Meituan's flash purchase orders increasing over 60% year-on-year in Q1 2025 [1] - The gap between daily order volumes in instant retail and e-commerce logistics is narrowing, indicating a structural transformation in the supporting logistics system [1] Group 1: Logistics Models - Instant retail mirrors the e-commerce era with two logistics models: platform self-operated and third-party delivery, with the latter gaining prominence due to its efficiency and resource utilization [1][2] - Third-party delivery services are increasingly being utilized by platforms like Meituan and Ele.me to alleviate the cost pressures associated with self-operated logistics [2] Group 2: Market Dynamics - Merchants are diversifying their platform presence to reduce dependency on single platforms, leading to a demand for third-party delivery services that can facilitate multi-platform operations [3] - The competitive landscape among platforms is driving the need for cost reduction and efficiency, positioning third-party delivery as a core infrastructure in the instant retail ecosystem [3] Group 3: Profitability and Business Models - SF Express has successfully implemented a full-scenario delivery model, achieving profitability and establishing a competitive edge through efficient resource allocation and collaboration with various platforms [4] - The increasing demand for cross-platform traffic integration and high fulfillment costs are expected to enhance the scale economy of third-party delivery services [4] Group 4: Future Outlook - The third-party delivery network enables brands to reach a broader consumer base while optimizing fulfillment costs and improving service quality, creating a win-win situation for all parties involved [5] - The instant retail market is projected to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030, with third-party delivery potentially sharing the market with e-commerce logistics, indicating a promising future for this sector [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong stock market has experienced a rally, with SF Express (09699.HK) showing significant performance, rising over 33% since May 9, 2023, and reaching a market capitalization of HKD 9.8 billion, driven by increased transaction volumes and a competitive landscape in the instant delivery sector [1][2]. Group 1: Market Performance - SF Express has seen a substantial increase in its stock price, with a cumulative rise of over 33% since May 9, 2023, and a single-day transaction volume of nearly HKD 350 million on May 13, 2023 [1]. - The company's business data during the "May Day" holiday indicates a year-on-year growth of 87% in overall order volume, with significant increases in specific categories such as supermarket orders (up 177%) and beverage orders (up 106%) [1]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The competition among major platforms like Meituan, Alibaba, and JD.com in the instant retail sector has intensified, leading to an increase in order volumes for third-party delivery platforms [1][2]. - Leading chain brands are increasingly opting for independent third-party delivery platforms to ensure service stability and reduce reliance on traffic platforms, as exemplified by Luckin Coffee's standardized delivery service provided by SF Express across various platforms [2]. Group 3: Financial Performance - SF Express reported a revenue of CNY 15.746 billion for 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 27.1%, and a net profit of CNY 132 million, marking a significant increase of 161.8% [3]. - The company is recognized as the only third-party delivery enterprise in the industry that has achieved high revenue growth while maintaining continuous profitability [3].