Core Viewpoint - JD.com's Q2 financial report confirms that the food delivery battle in 2025 will be the most intense commercial competition in the history of China's internet [1] Financial Performance - JD.com reported a quarterly loss of 14.7 billion yuan, indicating that the annualized loss from its food delivery segment alone could exceed Alibaba's announced investment of 50 billion yuan [2] - The report suggests that while JD.com has other new business segments, the food delivery losses are a significant contributor to the overall financial performance [3] Strategic Insights - CEO Xu Ran indicated in a pre-report interview that the food delivery market is experiencing a bubble, with malicious subsidies disrupting the pricing system and not creating incremental value, leading JD.com to refrain from participating [3] - The management stated that the food delivery business is generating synergistic value with its core e-commerce operations, aligning with initial expectations [5] Competitive Landscape - The food delivery market has seen a rapid increase in order volume from 100 million to 250 million, highlighting the extreme price sensitivity of consumers who follow subsidies [9] - If JD.com continues to engage in a direct competition with Meituan and Alibaba's Taobao Flash Sale, it risks significant financial strain due to the high efficiency and funding of its competitors [9][10] Leadership Dynamics - The article discusses the challenges faced by JD.com under the leadership of founder Liu Qiangdong, who has increasingly taken on a hands-on role in operations, reflecting a lack of a strong second-in-command [12][44] - Liu's return to a more active role in management has been marked by significant personnel changes and direct involvement in various business strategies, including food delivery [36][42] Market Positioning - JD.com aims to reshape its pricing strategy to compete effectively against rivals, emphasizing the need for a robust third-party merchant ecosystem [21] - The company has set a target for third-party sales to eventually account for 60% of its business, but current growth rates suggest that achieving this goal will require substantial increases in third-party revenue [26] Conclusion - The ongoing struggles in the food delivery sector reflect broader challenges within JD.com, as it navigates intense competition and seeks to redefine its market strategy while grappling with leadership dynamics [10][44]