Core Viewpoint - Meituan officially announced its participation in the 618 shopping festival, launching a comprehensive promotional campaign covering "food delivery + shopping," aiming to leverage its strengths in instant retail, including immediacy, full-scenario offerings, and high subsidies [1][11]. Policy Benefits - Meituan is distributing a 618 yuan coupon package to all users, applicable across various categories such as beverages, electronics, and beauty products, significantly lowering the consumption threshold and stimulating consumer enthusiasm [2]. - The company is enhancing its tiered subsidy strategy for members, offering higher value coupons to premium members, which strengthens user loyalty and encourages frequent usage of the platform [2]. Promotional Strategies - Flash sales feature attractive promotions like "additional 200 yuan off on national subsidies" and "limited-time 1499 yuan Flying Moutai," emphasizing a low-price, instant consumption experience [5]. - Meituan combines traditional e-commerce promotions with instant delivery, promoting a "no waiting" experience with a commitment to deliver within 30 minutes, thus enhancing consumer convenience [6]. Competitive Landscape - Meituan faces intense competition from rivals like JD and Taobao, which have made significant inroads into the market with aggressive strategies, including zero commission rates and substantial subsidies [7][9]. - The company aims to counter this competition by leveraging the 618 shopping festival as a turning point to assert its dominance in the instant retail sector [7][11]. Market Position and Challenges - Meituan's competitive edge lies in its extensive network of 6.8 million delivery riders and over 500 million users, which facilitates rapid delivery and fosters consumer habits [10]. - However, challenges include potential rider attrition to competitors offering better incentives, which could impact delivery capabilities and service quality [10]. Strategic Intentions - Meituan's late entry into the 618 festival is a tactical decision to avoid direct competition with major players during the pre-sale period, focusing instead on capturing consumer demand during peak shopping days [11]. - The company is redefining "high-frequency necessities" by expanding its product offerings beyond food delivery to include a wide range of consumer goods, thereby enhancing its competitive position [14]. Future Outlook - The competition in instant retail is evolving from simple subsidies to a multi-faceted battle involving logistics, data, and ecosystem integration [14]. - Long-term success may depend on Meituan's ability to leverage AI for precise delivery predictions and strengthen its merchant ecosystem to attract high-quality vendors [16][18].